Dr. Thomas Pontinen, MD
Pain Management Specialist | Interventional Pain Medicine
9700 Golf Rd Des Plaines IL, 60016About
Thomas Pontinen is a double-board certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine specialist, and co-founder of MAPS Centers For Pain Control. In addition to training under some of the nation’s top experts in anesthesiology and pain medicine, he has also undergone formal training as a resident in general surgery, which allows him to perform the most innovative procedures in pain medicine safely and skillfully. Dr. Pontinen has published multiple journal articles, written textbook chapters, and has presented at international conferences in the fields of surgery, anesthesiology, and pain medicine. His research on chronic wound pain was featured in Pain Medicine News, the nation’s top source of information in the field of pain medicine for healthcare professionals. He has also received multiple awards from organizations such as US News & World report and WebMD as a top provider in his field. Aside from his research, he is a compassionate physician who works daily to help his patients regain their lives and get back to doing the activities they love. He is passionate about treating the most complex pain cases in a comprehensive, integrative, and holistic approach, combining multiple treatment modalities with the most innovative, minimally invasive procedures. He also is a certified life care planner (LCP-C) which allows him to help patients more effectively with a catastrophic injury or illness and project future medical and non-medical needs. Dr. Pontinen also volunteers with various international organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, the world’s largest and most important health care related volunteer organization. Through them, he can travel to the most unstable parts of the world, providing medical care to those most in need. He is also an avid snowboarder, mountaineer, skydiver, scuba diver, motorcyclist, and drummer.
Dr. Thomas Pontinen, MD's Videos
Education and Training
University of Minnesota School of Medicine medical degree 2008
University of St Thomas Bachelor Degree 0
Board Certification
American Board of Anesthesiology; Certified in Anesthesiology
American Board of Anesthesiology; Certified in Pain Medicine
Provider Details
Areas of expertise and specialization
Fellowships
- University of Illinois College of Medicine pain management 2014
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- Volunteer with Doctors Without Borders
Dr. Thomas Pontinen, MD's Practice location
Schererville, IN 46375Get Direction
Franklin Park, IL 60131Get Direction
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Media Releases
Double-board certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine specialist, Dr. Pontinen is one of the co-founders of MAPS – Midwest Anesthesia Pain Specialists in Chicago, Des Plaines, Franklin Park, Hazel Crest, and Woodridge, Illinois. Furthermore, he is on staff at both Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, IL and AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
After the completion of his medical degree at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in 2008, Dr. Pontinen completed a general surgery internship at Albert Einstein Medical Center (2008 – 2010), followed by a residency in anesthesiology (2010 – 2013) and pain management fellowship (2013 – 2014) conducted at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to medical school, Dr. Pontinen completed a Magna Cum Laude Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and Advertising at the University of St Thomas in St. Paul, MN (2003).
Subsequent to his education, the doctor attained board certifications in both anesthesiology and in interventional pain medicine through the American Board of Anesthesiology. The American Board of Anesthesiology sets standards and exams for the accreditation of Board certified anesthesiologists coming to the end of their residency. It is one of the 24 medical specialty boards that constitutes the American Board of Medical Specialties.
A published author of journal articles and textbook chapters, Dr. Pontinen has been a prolific presenter at international conferences on topics ranging from surgery to anesthesiology and pain medicine. He is also a principal investigator in multiple FDA trial medications and treatments, continuously advancing the field of pain medicine, ensuring his patients are given the most up to date care. Furthermore, his research on chronic wound pain was featured in Pain Medicine News, which is the top source of information in the field of pain medicine for healthcare professionals.
“Aside from his research, he is a compassionate physician who works daily to help his patients regain their lives and get back to doing the activities they love. He is passionate about treating the most complex pain cases in a comprehensive, integrative and holistic approach, combining multiple treatment modalities with the most innovative, minimally invasive procedures”, states the official website of Accident Treatment Centers.
Outside his clinical, academic, and research commitments, Dr. Pontinen is a keen volunteer. He works with several international organizations, including Doctors Without Borders. As such, he has travelled to some of the most unstable parts of the globe providing medical care to those who need it most. Dr. Pontinen also enjoys snowboarding, mountain climbing, and is an avid drummer.
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