Providers

Ty Thomas, MD : Physician | Co-Founder

Ty Thomas, MD

Physician | Co-Founder

Dr. Thomas grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy and Philosophy. Dr. Thomas received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma. After an internship year in internal medicine, he completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Dr. Thomas tries to make the complexity of pain simple by establishing a diagnosis and identifying the pain generator and amplifier. If those cannot be repaired, he then attempts to find the nerve transmitting the pain signal and stop it using chemo and radiofrequency denervation techniques. This concept can be applied to most painful conditions. For example, chronic knee, hip, or shoulder pain secondary to arthritis can be successfully managed by denervating the sensory nerve supply from the joint.

Dr. Thomas believes pain should be treated and managed using many modalities. Medications, procedures, physical therapy, and psychiatric therapy are modalities he often employs together to return function and quality of life to those in pain. He also recognizes the resources and time required to diagnose, treat, and monitor patients in pain. Dr. Thomas believes painful conditions should be treated in a timely manner, and he sees all new patients as soon as possible for a new patient evaluation.


Chad E. Austin, MD : Physician | Co-Founder

Chad E. Austin, MD

Physician | Co-Founder

Dr. Austin graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Science prior to attending medical school at LSU Health Sciences Center. Upon completing an internship at Baptist Health Systems, he began residency training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Following residency, Dr. Austin pursued additional training in an Interventional Pain Management Fellowship under the direction of Richard M. Rosenthal, who is a pioneer in the use of Pulsed Radiofrequency in pain management.

Dr. Austin's ultimate goal is to improve function and quality of life while reducing pain. He strives to establish an accurate diagnosis and incorporates cutting edge, minimally invasive procedures for targeted pain relief treatment. Dr. Austin performs pain relief management procedures primarily in the spine but also in peripheral nerves, joints, and soft tissues. By incorporating radiofrequency technology, he is able to provide a longer duration of pain relief than many of the other treatments currently available. He also understands the complex multifactorial components that are involved in chronic pain and uses a comprehensive approach to treat the whole patient. Outside of work, Dr. Austin enjoys spending time with his wife, Alicia and their children. He is an avid adventurer and outdoorsman. He spends much of his free time traveling, whitewater kayaking, fishing and snowboarding.


Alexander M. Pisaturo, MD : Physician | Partner

Alexander M. Pisaturo, MD

Physician | Partner

Dr. Pisaturo grew up in the Northeast in Rhode Island and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Miami, Florida. From there, Dr. Pisaturo received his medical degree from New York Medical College and completed his internship at Greenwich Hospital, a Yale University affiliate. Following internship, Dr. Pisaturo proudly served four years on active duty in the United States Air Force as a commissioned officer and held the rank of Captain. While in the military, he functioned as an Aerospace medical physician for military aircrew and their families. He has been on multiple deployments in which he received training in Wilderness and Disaster medicine. After separating from the military, Dr. Pisaturo completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

Dr. Pisaturo has an avid interest in musculoskeletal pain and kinesiology of the human body. He views musculoskeletal pain as a combination of physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms. During initial patient evaluations, Dr. Pisaturo strives to assess the body as a whole to identify pain generators and arrive at an accurate diagnosis. He also utilizes electromyography and nerve conduction studies to accurately localize and diagnose neuropathic pain. Dr. Pisaturo understands that patients' pain is multifactorial and thus utilizes a comprehensive treatment approach, which includes injection techniques under ultrasound imaging, physical therapy and wellness, nutrition, as well as medications. In all, Dr. Pisaturo's goal is to give his patients the opportunity to improve their function and quality of life as well as to maintain their health through overall wellness.

Dr. Pisaturo's interests include traveling and experiencing many of the cultures the world has to offer. He also enjoys participating in sports to include baseball, hockey, tennis, and golf. Dr. Pisaturo not only encourages exercise, nutrition and wellness from his patients, but also implements these concepts into his daily life. He maintains an active lifestyle while running with his dog, Luna and playing Frisbee with her as well.


Audra Eason, MD : Physician | Partner

Audra Eason, MD

Physician | Partner

Dr. Eason is a native of Alabama and is a graduate of the University of Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. She completed medical school at the University of South Alabama in Mobile and then completed her internship in Birmingham.  After her internship, she attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she completed residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  She then completed her fellowship in Interventional Pain Management at VCU.

Dr. Eason treats patients with all types of acute and chronic pain, including neck and low back pain, neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, migraines and cancer pain. With each patient, Dr. Eason performs a thorough examination to reveal the potential source of the pain. She then forms a comprehensive treatment plan tailored for that individual.   Dr. Eason believes in all aspects of Pain Management including physical therapy, medications, and appropriate interventions. She also strives to support the body’s natural ability to heal through improving health with diet, exercise and smoking cessation.

Dr. Eason often utilizes non-surgical interventions to alleviate pain and aid recovery. These interventions include lumbar epidural steroid injections, cervical epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections and medial branch blocks, radiofrequency ablation procedures for the treatment of chronic pain, peripheral joint injections, peripheral nerve blocks, vertebral augmentation procedures such as kyphoplasty, and spinal cord stimulation, among other procedures.

She recognizes that pain can negatively affect quality of life including functional activities of daily living, social life, and emotional well-being. She believes in the role that psychology and psychiatry can play in improving coping mechanism and meditative techniques to improve daily symptoms. Dr. Eason believes that improvement in function and quality of life are the best outcome measures in the treatment of pain.

Dr. Eason holds board certification with American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and in Pain Medicine through the American Board of Anesthesiology. Away from the office, Dr. Eason enjoys spending time with her family and friends.


Alicia Austin, MD : Physician | Partner

Alicia Austin, MD

Physician | Partner

Dr. Alicia Austin graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelors of Science prior to attending medical school at LSU Health Sciences Center. Upon graduation in 2005, she began residency training in psychiatry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, serving as chief resident in 2008. Her many interests include psychotherapy, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse disorders. Dr. Austin is board-certified.


Erin Morella, MD : Physician

Erin Morella, MD

Physician

Dr. Morella grew up in north-central Alabama. After receiving her B.S. from the University of Alabama, she continued her education at the University of Alabama School of Medicine where she earned her Medical Degree. She completed her residency in anesthesiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center followed by a chronic pain management fellowship at the same institution.  

Dr. Morella believes in treating the whole patient and not just a specific pain generator. Pain is multifaceted and Dr. Morella strives to create a comprehensive plan for each patient. She implements targeted interventional techniques that allow the patient to improve overall health through physical therapy and improved nutrition. Therapies she may utilize include epidurals, major joint injections, medial branch blocks, radiofrequency ablations, and many others. Dr. Morella’s goal for every patient is to discover the best path to improve quality of life and function.

In her spare time, Dr. Morella enjoys spending time with family. She loves cooking, college football, and being outdoors, particularly on the water.


Harrison Irons, MD, MBA : Physician | Partner

Harrison Irons, MD, MBA

Physician | Partner

Dr. Irons is a native of North Alabama. He graduated from Samford University with a Bachelor of Science and then earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. Dr. Irons then completed a residency in Anesthesiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham before pursuing a Pain Management fellowship at the University of North Carolina. He recently received his Master of Business Administration from The Universidad Internacional Isabel I de Castilla.

Dr. Irons is board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine. He believes in utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to promote wellness and treat chronic pain. Chronic pain is a condition with a significant physical, emotional, and social impact. Dr. Irons understands that chronic pain is best managed through a combination of medication, interventions, and goal-directed therapy. He is able to offer his patients a variety of interventional pain procedures including the latest therapies and technologies.

In his spare time, Dr. Irons enjoys spending time with his family and friends and enjoying the outdoors.



Heather Lee, CRNP :

Heather Lee, CRNP

Heather grew up in Charlotte, NC. After high school, she attended East Carolina University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Health Education & Promotion, concentrating in Community Health. Following graduation she then moved to Birmingham where she completed the accelerated 2nd degree nursing program at Samford University, obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While working as a registered nurse she earned her Master of Science in Nursing through Samford's Family Nurse Practitioner program. Heather hopes to use her education to assist patients in conquering their pain. She believes in combining various treatment approaches to personalize care to the individual patient. Outside of work Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and dogs. She also likes traveling and being outdoors.


Mickey Brown, CRNP :

Mickey Brown, CRNP

Mickey Brown graduated from The University of Alabama with Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2012. Mickey has worked in Emergency Medicine and has been in Pain Management for several years. Mickey believes in using a comprehensive approach to pain management with treatment plans individualized to meet the expectations of each patient to optimize outcomes.


Jessi Barthelemy, CRNP :

Jessi Barthelemy, CRNP

Jessi Barthelemy grew up near the Birmingham area. Jessi originally graduated from Auburn University with an undergraduate and graduate degree in Exercise Science/Health Promotion. After deciding to pursue nursing, she graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2011. Jessi worked at Brookwood Medical Center followed by UAB Hospital as a cardiology nurse. While working as a registered nurse, she enrolled in UAB’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program and graduated with her Master of Science in Nursing in August 2016. Jessi desires to provide each patient with compassionate care and she strives to utilize a comprehensive approach in helping patients manage their chronic pain. Outside of work, Jessi enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and spending time outdoors.


Anna Turner, DNP, CRNP :

Anna Turner, DNP, CRNP

Anna grew up in the Birmingham area before attending Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2013 and moved back to Birmingham to begin working as a registered nurse at UAB hospital. While working as a nurse in the Acute Trauma Care Unit, Anna obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and become a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner in 2018. After 5 years as a trauma nurse, Anna chose to practice pain management to improve patients' quality of life through an individualized, multi-modal approach. She strives to provide safe, compassionate, and holistic care. Anna later earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020. Her free time is spent adventuring with her two daughters and her dog.


Serina Bourassa, CRNP :

Serina Bourassa, CRNP

Serina Bourassa is from Canada but calls Birmingham, Alabama home. After completing high school, she graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has more than five years of nursing experience in neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, and ICU. While working as a registered nurse, Serina graduated once again from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. In her spare time, Serina enjoys all sports and in particular golf, tennis and football. She also enjoys being active and outdoors.