OUR DOCTORS

Our goal is to help our patients identify the cause of pain or discomfort and then put together a strategic pain treatment program that will work successfully.

Darrel Saldanha, MD

Read Bio

Thomas Pontinen, MD

Read Bio

Andrei Rakic, MD

Read Bio

Mark Farag, MD

Read Bio

Billy Hayduk, ND, PA-C

Read Bio

Angie Osmanski, PA-C

Read Bio

James Pedraza, FNP-BC

Charisse Hartwig, PA-C, JD

Read Bio

David Gilbert, PA-C

William Sideras, PA-C

WHAT SETS US APART

Our Level of Dedication And Excellent Patient Advocacy

At Centers for Pain Control,
Our Patients Are Our Priority

WHAT SETS US APART

Our Level of Dedication And Excellent Patient Advocacy That Our Patients Have Come to Know and Expect

At Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists, Our Patients Are Our Priority

What sets us apart from other clinics is our level of dedication and excellent patient advocacy that our patients have come to know and expect. We work with most major insurances and have processes in place that expedite paperwork – meaning we have more time to dedicate in person when assessing and treating our patients.

We work with most major insurances and have processes in place that expedite paperwork – meaning we have more time to dedicate in person when assessing and treating our patients.

We Are Here For You – Let Us Help Relieve Your Pain Today

Contact the team at Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists today. With 8 convenient locations, our team is ready to help you take your first step towards a pain-free life. Schedule your consultation now.

773-917-8400

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

SCHEDULE ONLINE

Darrel Saldanda, MD

Dr. Saldanha is a founding member of Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists. He is double-board certified in both anesthesiology and pain medicine. During his training at the University of Illinois, he was chief resident during his final year of residency. In addition, he was recognized with the Walter Kowalski achievement award for most outstanding new resident during his training. He has presented his research in numerous national conferences in the fields of neurobiology, chemistry, anesthesiology, and pain medicine.

In addition to providing clinical care, Dr. Saldanha has an interest in developing innovative models for healthcare delivery. He has an extensive background in healthcare management and administration. He is also the founder of the Hyde Park Surgical Center, a state-licensed, multi-specialty outpatient surgical center focused on the care of work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Dr. Saldanha is a compassionate physician who is driven to provide healthcare to patients, regardless of background. He founded a free healthcare clinic serving patients in underserved areas in Chicago which has since provided care to thousands of patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

Thomas Pontinen, MD

Dr. Pontinen is a double-board certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine specialist, and co-founder of Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists. 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.

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. 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 is able to travel to the most unstable parts of the world, providing medical care to those most in need. He is also an avid snowboarder, mountain climber, and drummer.

Andrei Rakic, MD

Dr. Rakic is double-board certified in both anesthesiology and pain management. He was a professor at the University of Illinois, specializing in in general anesthesia, regional anesthesia and pain management. He published several papers on pain management in challenging clinical situations and also worked with the surgical and wound care staff on using pain control techniques normally used in the hospital for outpatient applications.

He is interested in spine and orthopedic pain, cancer pain, as well as neuropathic pain conditions. Most recently, Dr. Rakic helped found Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists. Along with his partners, he aspires to bring a university medical center quality of care to his patients in the setting of a private practice that offers a more personal and responsive service for his patients that larger institutions cannot provide. He is also fluent in both Spanish and Serbian, allowing him to treat a diverse patient population effectively. Finally, Dr. Rakic is an avid musician, finishing his undergraduate studies in music at DePaul University in Chicago. He also enjoys cooking and travels often to see his family in Serbia.

Mark Farag, MD

Dr. Mark Farag is a double-board certified and fellowship-trained anesthesiologist and interventional pain management specialist. He completed his undergraduate education as a four-year Edmund J. James Scholar at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received his medical degree from Rush University where he served as co-president of his class and was selected by his peers to give the graduation valediction. He then attended the University of Illinois at Chicago for his anesthesiology residency and interventional pain management fellowship.

Dr. Farag loves his job. He has always been highly reviewed by those who trained him, his colleagues, and, most importantly, his patients. He and our other doctors are trained to treat all types of pain using the most advanced technology and minimally-invasive techniques. He is compassionate, intelligent, and always dedicated to giving his patients the highest quality of care. He focuses on using a multi-modal approach (procedures, medications, physical therapy, and other therapies) to treat the pain at its source, and help his patients resume a fulfilling personal, professional, and social life.

Billy Hayduk, ND, PA-C

Dr. Hayduk is a board certified Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and Physician Assistant (PA-C). He has also completed three years of chiropractic medicine and is currently a certified personal trainer and boot camp instructor. He specializes in interventional pain management for patients including joint injections and trigger point injections. He applies individualized care for each of his patients in hopes of treating the cause of the disease rather than suppressing the symptoms. When necessary he will prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms with the ultimate goal of becoming healthier. He has attended multiple different seminars on pain management and functional medicine. He has also published multiple articles on exercise and health. Dr. Hayduk acknowledges and utilizes the holistic healing approach for patients.

Aside from practice, Dr. Hayduk enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures. He has made two different global health trips to Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. He is an avid runner and practices good nutritional habits as part of his daily routine. In addition, he is a former Division I college wrestler.

Angie Osmanski, PA-C

Ms. Osmanski is a Certified Physician Assistant specializing in Pain Management. She is certified as an instructor for CPR and First Aid and has taught multiple courses in the Chicago area. Ms. Osmanski is also a certified personal trainer helping clients to incorporate healthier lifestyle modifications. Ms. Osmanski served in the US Peace Corps in northern Cameroon for two and a half years providing educational resources to underserved locations. In Cameroon, she focused on HIV/AIDS and sanitation, and worked on a project with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees teaching preventative techniques for malaria and other common infectious diseases.

Ms. Osmanki’s goal is to provide her patients the most compassionate and professional treatment. She will never hesitate to lend a helping hand and go above and beyond for all of her patients to improve their outcomes. In her free time Ms. Osmanski helps train marathon runners for Coach Brendan Runners, an organization that funds programs that assist students and families in low income neighborhoods. In addition, she is a volunteer helping with startup of Ryan Banks Academy, which will be Chicago’s first boarding school for urban youth.

Charisse Hartwig, PA-C, JD

Ms. Hartwig is a Certified Physician Assistant specializing in Pain Management. She received her Master’s of Medical Science Degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Dominican University, where she was the Capstone Award Winner for her Capstone article, “Neurobiological and Neurophysiological Changes in Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder”. She is committed to helping her patients through injury and chronic pain to maximize their mobility, pain management, and quality of life.

Ms. Hartwig has a unique background and perspective as she previously practiced as a trial attorney in Chicago, Illinois for nearly nine years, focused on personal injury and malpractice litigation in the healthcare setting. She earned her Juris Doctorate degree at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she graduated with a Health Law Certificate, served as Publications Editor of the Annals of Health Law in which she was also published, and made the Dean’s List. She remains a member in good standing with the Illinois State Bar.

In her free time, Ms. Hartwig loves to hike with her two rescue dogs, bicycle, cook, and travel around the country and world to try new things and learn about different cultures. She has run three marathons, two sprint triathlons, and several half-marathons around the country.

OUR DOCTORS

Darrel Saldanha, MD

Thomas Pontinen, MD

Andrei Rakic, MD

Mark Farag, MD

Billy Hayduk, ND, PA-C

Angie Osmanski, PA-C

James Pedraza, FNP-BC

Charisse Hartwig, PA-C, JD

David Gilbert, PA-C

William Sideras, PA-C

WHAT SETS US APART

At Centers for Pain Control,
Our Patients Are Our Priority

WHAT SETS US APART

At Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists, Our Patients Are Our Priority

We Are Here For You – Let Us Help Relieve Your Pain Today

773-917-8400

SERVICES

CONDITIONS

OUR DOCTORS

LOCATIONS

Darrel Saldanda, MD

Thomas Pontinen, MD

Andrei Rakic, MD

Mark Farag, MD

Billy Hayduk, ND, PA-C

Angie Osmanski, PA-C

Charisse Hartwig, PA-C, JD

OUR DOCTORS

Darrel Saldanha, MD

Thomas Pontinen, MD

Andrei Rakic, MD

Mark Farag, MD

Billy Hayduk, ND, PA-C

Angie Osmanski, PA-C

James Pedraza, FNP-BC

Charisse Hartwig, PA-C, JD

David Gilbert, PA-C

William Sideras, PA-C

WHAT SETS US APART

At Centers for Pain Control, Our Patients Are Our Priority

WHAT SETS US APART

At Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists, Our Patients Are Our Priority

We Are Here For You – Let Us Help Relieve Your Pain Today

773-917-8400

Darrel Saldanda, MD

Thomas Pontinen, MD

Andrei Rakic, MD

Mark Farag, MD

Billy Hayduk, ND, PA-C

Angie Osmanski, PA-C

Charisse Hartwig, PA-C, JD

At Centers for Pain Control,
Our Patients Are Our Priority