Javid Baksh, DO, medical director of the St. Luke’s Hospital Pain Center, is pleased to announce Physician Assistant Ken Barrow has joined the staff of the hospital-based center treating people who suffer with chronic pain. Barrow brings almost 14 years of experience in interventional pain management, with 10 years in a busy physical medicine and rehab group and the last four in anesthesia-based pain management. 

A native of North Carolina, Barrow earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology and a minor in chemistry from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. He then completed a Bachelor of Science in physician assistant studies from East Carolina University in August 2003 and a Masters in Health Sciences from Duke University in 2003. Barrow achieved certification as a physician assistant from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants before joining a clinical practice in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). During this time, Barrow discovered a special interest for pain management and transitioned to a clinical practice with an anesthesiology-based, with greater focus on interventional pain management.

Throughout his clinical experience, Barrow has maintained proficiency in current pain management trends, and like Dr. Baksh, he utilizes multidisciplinary pain management approaches to tailor treatment for patients’ individual goals to improve function and relieve pain.

“I’ve worked with Ken since 2014, and I’m pleased to inform my patients that he has a similar approach in his ‘bedside’ manner and an aggressive treatment to pain relief for our patients’ benefit,” Baksh said. “It’s my focus and philosophy to help patients choose alternatives to opioids for safer, more functional movement. I believe we make a good team for our patients’ continuity of care, but it also helps a busy office with improved patient flow by reducing waiting time for appointments or care.

The pain center has been extremely busy since treating its first patient in July 2016, and many improvements have been made to improve the patients’ experience, including adding staff and updating the phone system.  The center continues to expand in its patient care. Barrow’s expertise in pain management and his rapport with patients has further enhanced the team approach to the management of chronic pain.

Moving from the coast to the mountains, Barrow and his wife live in Asheville with their three boys. The family enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, camping, and ATV and Jeep trail adventures.

St. Luke’s Hospital Pain Center provides services and treatments for back pain, arthritis, cancer pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathy and other chronic pain issues by using safer alternatives to addictive pain medication. Treatments include epidural and joint  injections, nerve root and peripheral nerve locks, radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulation, to name a few.

St. Luke’s Hospital Pain Center is located at 48 Hospital Dr., Suite 2A, in the medical office park on the campus of St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus. Patients need to be referred by their primary care physician by calling 828-894-0978. For more information, please go to saintlukeshospital.com.

– article submitted by Kathy Woodham