Our Staff

Doctors

Michael G. Gibson, MD, graduated from LSU Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He completed his internship in General Surgery at Carraway Methodist Medical Center here in Birmingham. A Clinical Fellowship in Neurosurgery also at Carraway followed his internship. He then took a full-time position with the Lifesaver Helicopter program through the Emergency Department at Carraway for the next two years. In 1995, he founded and opened the Birmingham Pain Center and since then has been practicing exclusively Interventional and Medical Pain Management. He is certified by and a member of The American Academy of Pain Management and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.

Nitin Chhabra, MD graduated from University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile, Alabama. He completed his residency in anesthesiolgy and his fellowship in Interventional Pain at the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. A native of Birmingham, we are delighted that he has returned home to practice medicine, and honored that he has joined The Birmingham Pain Center. Dr. Chhabra is board certified in Pain Management and Anesthesiology by The American Board of Anesthesiology and is an active member of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Dr. Chhabra also provides anesthesia services, on Fridays, at McCalla Family Dentistry.

Dr. Wayne Gossman Wayne T. Gossman, MD graduated from Chapel Hill Medical School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He completed is internship in Psychiatry at Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. He completed a residency in Psychiatry at Medical College of Georgia following his internship. He worked at Lloyd Nolan Hospital since 1990. In 1999, he joined The Birmingham Pain Center in the field of Psychiatry and Medical Pain Management.

Jay R. Heisler, PhD graduated from Walden University in Minneapolis, Mn. He completed his internship in clinical Psychology at Gadsden Psychological Services in Gadsden, Al. and currently is the Director of Pharmaceutical Research. He has several years experience working specifically with chronic pain patients. He has been an integral part of the The Birmingham Pain Center since its beginning in 1995. He is also certified Diplomat by The American Academy of Pain Management, and The American Academy of Injury and Disability Evaluators.

Mid-Level Providers

David Carter - CRNA, is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist that provides anesthesia for patients who are undergoing Interventional Pain Procedures. He received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Auburn University, and completed his Anesthesia training at UAB in Birmingham. He has been with The Birmingham Pain Center for three and a half years. When not working, David enjoys spending time with his family, pursuing outdoor activities such as flying small aircraft, and spending time at the lake.

Melissa Almond, PA-C, graduated from UAB's Surgical Physician's Assistant program in 1994. She moved to Tuscaloosa after graduation, where she has spent the last thirteen years practicing in plastic and general surgery. She now looks forward to a long, rewarding career in pain management at The Birmingham Pain Center.

John Hartsell, PA-C, graduated from the University of South Alabama's Physician Assistant program in 2004. Since graduation he has worked in correctional medicine and emergency medicine. Now, he is enjoying a new career path working at The Birmingham Pain Center. He enjoys treating and getting to know his patients.

Olivia Shaw, PA-C, graduated from the University of Florida's Physician Assistant program in 2007. Upon graduation, she began her medical career practicing in Hematology and Oncology. She moved to Birmingham in 2009, joined The Birmingham Pain Center and is looking forward to an exciting career in pain management.