About the Program
Our fellowship blends formal and informal didactics with full spectrum procedural exposure and hands-on instruction. Procedural training is comprehensive and surgical, with a focus on cutting-edge interventional techniques including Neuromodulation, Peripheral Nerve Stimulation, Intrathecal Drug Delivery, Kyphoplasty and other minimally invasive surgical spine procedures. Our fellows graduate prepared to excel in any practice setting.
Our fellowship is truly multidisciplinary. Fellows rotate with Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pain Psychology, Anesthesiology, Palliative Care and Integrative medicine- among others- where they learn the latest complementary and alternative therapies for acute and chronic pain.
Trainees have abundant opportunity to participate in research by collaborating with faculty members.
Fellows rotate at VCU and the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVVHCS)
VCU Rotation (Four Months): Full spectrum interventional pain procedures in a fast-paced outpatient clinic setting primarily at the VCU Short Pump Pavilion. Surgical implants/procedures performed weekly in VCU Ambulatory Surgery Center/Short Pump Pavilion ASC.
CVVHCS Primary (Four Months): Full spectrum interventional pain procedures performed in a clinic setting. Surgical implants performed in CVHCS main operating rooms.
CVVHCS Flex (Four Months): Full spectrum interventional pain procedures in a clinic setting and surgical implants in CVHCS main operating rooms. Fellows also rotate off service with Acute Pain, Palliative Care, Anesthesiology, Oncology, Pain Psychology and Integrative Medicine, among others.
2023-2024
PGY-4 Salary: $68,287
PGY-5 Salary: $70,722
Vacation: 15 days, plus holidays
Moonlighting: Permitted with Program Director approval
Call schedule: One week every third week
How to apply
Prospective applicants must have completed a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). Our GME coordinator will contact applicants directly to schedule interviews.
We will be accepting applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) for the 2025-2026 academic year, and the deadline is March 7, 2024.
Interviews for the 2025-2026 academic year will be held in the mornings on the following dates:
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
The following materials are required for your application to be deemed complete:
- ERAS application
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Current CV
- USMLE (Steps 1-3) or COMLEX transcript
- ECFMG certificate (for international applicants)
Program Leadership
Andrew W. Chapman, M.D.
Program Director
Andrew W. Chapman, M.D.
Program Director
School of Medicine
Director, Chronic Pain Division
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Anesthesiology
VCU Health
Sharon Mann
Program Coordinator
Sharon Mann
Program Coordinator
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Senior Education Administrator
Phone: (804) 828-8693
Clinical Interests: Functional Medicine, Acupuncture and non-pharmacologic pain management
Interesting Fact: Enjoys paddleboarding, art and music
Clinical Training:
Medical School: University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University, PM&R
Fellowship: Virginia Commonwealth University, Pain Medicine
Clinical Interests: Integrative Health &Wellness/Integrative Pain Medicine
Interesting Fact: Enjoy writing poetry and practicing Martial Arts
Clinical Training:
Medical School: VCU School of Medicine
Residency: VCU Health Anesthesiology
Fellowship: VCU Health Pain Medicine
Clinical Interests: neuromodulation, vertebral augmentation, minimally invasive spine/pain procedures, perioperative pain management
Hobbies: Weight training/cardio exercise, hiking/outdoor recreation
Director, Peripheral Nerve Neuromodulation Richmond VA Medical Center
Attending Pain Physician Richmond VA Medical Center
Vice Chairman IRB Richmond VA Medical Center
Clinical Training:
Medical School: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey School of Medicine
Residency and Pain Training: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Anesthesiology and Pain
Research :
Primary Investigator "RESET TRIAL" "A Randomized Controlled Multicenter Trial of Percutaneous Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Back Pain"
Primary Investigator "National VA CSP 2009 Sequential and Comparative Evaluation of Pain Treatment Effectiveness Response : The SCEPTER Trial "
Primary Investigator "A Retrospective Cohort Of Pain Characteristics And Radiographic Comparison Of Lumbar Multifidi Muscle Size In A Veteran Population Before And After Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) And Temporary Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) Of The Medial Branch Nerves"
Primary Investigator "Effect of Percutaneous Peripheral Nerve Stimulation on Acute and Chronic Amputation Pain"
Primary Investigator "60 Day Percutaneous Peripheral Nerve Stimulation: One Year Follow Up at the Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Health Care System "
Interesting Fact: Long Distance Runner and Fitness Instructor
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Nassau University Medical Center – PM&R
Fellowship: Montefiore Medical Center – Sports Medicine
Clinical Interests: Peripheral Nerve Stimulation, Orthobiologics, Ultrasound
Nicolas Maxymiv, D.O., M.S.
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Anesthesiology
nicolas.maxymiv1@vcuhealth.org
Clinical Training:
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia
Residency: VCU Health Anesthesiology
Fellowship: VCU Health Pain Medicine
Clinical Interests: Vertebral Augmentation, Spinal tumor radiofrequency ablation, Neuromodulation
Interesting Fact: Had twin girls in his first year of medical school
Mary Wells, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
mary.wells@vcuhealth.org
Education:
Undergraduate: Virginia Commonwealth University, BS Psychology
Graduate: The George Washington University, PhD Clinical Psychology
Internship 1: VCU Counseling Service in Richmond, VA.
Internship 2:Saint Elizabeth Hospital, Washington DC, Group Psychotherapy
Residency: Washington Pain and Rehabilitation Center in Washington, DC.
Clinical Interests: Pain psychology, Hypnosis
2023 - 2024 Fellows
Michael Abdou, MB,BCh
VCU Pain Fellow
Michael Abdou, MB,BCh
VCU Pain Fellow
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilation
Residency: Nuvance Health, Anesthesiology
Hobbies: Taekwondo, Hapkido, SCUBA diving, cycling, travel and spending time with family, friends and our dog.
Fun Fact: I speak 3 languages
Email: michael.abdou@vcuhealth.org
Christopher Nebzydoski, D.O.
VCU Pain Fellow
Christopher Nebzydoski, D.O.
VCU Pain Fellow
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilation
Residency (specialty and institution): Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and kids, traveling, anything outdoors
Fun Fact: I'm the youngest of 8!
Andrew Wondra, M.D.
VCU Pain Fellow
Andrew Wondra, M.D.
VCU Pain Fellow
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilation
Residency (specialty and institution): MedStar/Georgetown National Rehabilitation Hospital
Hobbies: Basketball, snowboarding/skiing, weightlifting, traveling, concerts, the beach.
Fun Fact: I'm a twin
Email: andrew.wondra1@vcuhealth.org
2022 - 2023 Fellows
Riley Johnson, DO
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Riley Johnson, DO
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilation
After Graduating from the VCU Pain Fellowship, Dr. Johnson went to Axonos Medical Group in Fort Worth, TX
Graham McRary, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Graham McRary, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
After graduating from the VCU Pain Fellowship, Dr. McRary went to practice at EmergeOrtho in Hickory, North Carolina
Email: Graham.McRary@vcuhealth.org
Brennan Wright, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Brennan Wright, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
After Graduating from the VCU Pain Fellowship, Dr. Wright went to Multicare Health SystemsRockwood Clinic in Spokane, WA
2021 - 2022 Fellows
Harnek Bajaj, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumi
Harnek Bajaj, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumi
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
J. David Li, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
J. David Li, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
After Graduating from the VCU Pain Fellowship, Dr. Li went to Lexington Brain and Spine Institute /Lexington Medical Center
in West Columbia, SC
Connor McElligott, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Connor McElligott, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
After graduating from the VCU Pain Fellowship, Dr. McElligott is practicing with Reconstructive Orthopedics in Sewell, NJ
2020 - 2021 Fellows
Calvin Chen, DO
Calvin Chen, DO
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Practicing at Hawaii Institute of Pain since Summer 2021
https://www.hipain.com/about-us
(808)206-5301
Hawaii Pain East Oahu
1401 South Beretania St., Suite 400
Honolulu, HI 96814
Elysha Dinh, MD
Elysha Dinh, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Currently practicing at Advanced Pain Management in in Jacksonville, Fl.
https://advancedpainmanagementclinic.com/dr-elysha-dihn/
Joshua Lee, MD
Joshua Lee, MD
VCU Pain Fellow Alumni
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Management at VCU Health since summer 2021