Member Spotlight

September 2023

Magda Anitescu, MD, PhD

Professor of Anesthesia and Critical Care
Chief, Division Pain Management Services
Director, Pain Medicine Program
University of Chicago, Illinois

​NANS member Since 2014

NANS members can find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

NANS members can contact me about
Opportunities to get involved, research collaborations, clinical questions or just meet-and-greet

Meet Dr. Magda Anitescu, NANS Director-at-Large, Membership Committee C-Chair, and Scientific Program Committee Co-Chair, who exemplifies the phrase, “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” She lives in Chicago with her husband of 30 years. The pair met in Romania on their way to communist camp in 1989. Together they have two daughters, 15 and 20. 

Why l love what I do
Seeing smiles on my patients’ faces after we treat their pain is priceless. Changing moods 180 degrees after pain is relieved is also priceless.

As every patient is truly unique, solving their medical puzzles, working hand in hand with patients to find the cause of their pain disease and discover a possible treatment or cure forges a very rich, meaningful and deep connection with them is priceless.

Every day, every encounter, another problem to solve, your mind never stops inquiring is priceless.

How I became interested in neuromodulation
During my fellowship we had a very busy neuromodulation practice at CCF with amazing patients success stories and exciting science behind it (the science just started to be somewhat understood then). It took some time, about 2-3 years to implement and build neuromodulation in practice in mid to late 2000's. Patients and physicians were skeptical, physicians advised patients against it so I took on a quest to educate my colleagues. Little by little we made a difference—it also helped that the field has also expanded so much in recent years. 

Being in one place for 20 years, creating your own success stories, colleagues started to believe in what you advise: neuromodulation for changing courses of diseases and not only pain but, vascular changes, diabetic neuropathy and many more.
  
I’m a NANS member because
I like meeting like-minded individuals, brainstorming on how we can push science of neuromodulation further, getting ideas on novel treatment approaches.  The community is always supportive, playful, ready to engage in various neuromodulation topic discussions; growing up a single child, I feel that I have a sibling reunion any time we meet at NANS!
 
My favorite book
My all-time favorite is Pride and Prejudice. I think I read it tens of times.

My favorite thing to stream
PBS series, rom coms and historical dramas of any kind

My hero
My dad (see story below)
 
I’m inspired by
I grew up inspired by my mother (see the story below).

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be...
Hmmm...I never really seriously considered anything else. I was decided in second grade as far as I remember. My mom (retired professor of ophthalmology) played a huge role as she always described her eye surgery challenging cases to my dad (to his desperation as he is an academic engineer). I listened and got interested at an early age. Alternatives for a very brief time were opera singer (failed as I do not really have a musical ear) and mathematician (fun to consider for a while but then I realized I could not use my hands-on skills).

My favorite vacation location
La Jolla, California, and Secret Harbor, St. Thomas
 
My special talent
I can find something fun, playful and enjoyable in literally anything, no matter how difficult or grinding is...and make it enjoyable
 
Favorite thing to do in Chicago
Walking on the lake, movies, meeting with friends, outdoor activities with family, exploring the city and find unusual and non-touristy places

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