Member Spotlight

September 2024

Ryan D'Souza, MD

Anesthesiologist and Interventional Pain Physician
Associate Professor
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN
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​NANS member since 2021
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NANS members can find me on Twitter/X
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Dr. D'Souza is an Interventional Pain Physician at Mayo Clinic, who specializes in multimodal analgesia for chronic pain syndromes, emphasizing pharmacologic therapy, neuromodulation, and advanced interventional techniques. As the Director of Neuromodulation Practice across the Mayo Clinic enterprise and a Director-at-Large on the NANS Board of Directors, his work is pivotal in advancing pain management. Dr. D'Souza is passionate about using his extensive expertise to dramatically improve patients' quality of life, enhancing their mobility and independence.

Areas of Expertise:
I am an interventional pain physician specializing in multimodal analgesia for chronic pain syndromes. My expertise encompasses pharmacologic therapy, neuromodulation, and advanced interventional techniques. My research focuses on neuromodulation, fibromyalgia, and evidence synthesis methodology. I am also deeply committed to leadership development, currently serving as the Director of Neuromodulation Practice across the Mayo Clinic enterprise, the Director of the Inpatient Pain Service at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and as a Director-at-Large on the NANS Board of Directors. 

Why I enjoy what I do:
As cliché as it may sound, I am passionate about making a significant difference in patients’ lives. During my tenure in general anesthesia, I seldom witnessed the long-term impact of my work. However, transitioning to pain medicine opened up a realm of possibilities. I am now equipped with a comprehensive toolkit of treatments and therapies that can profoundly enhance a patient's quality of life. Whether it's alleviating chronic pain, improving mobility, or restoring independence, the potential for positive change is limitless. 

How I became interested in neuromodulation:
There are few treatments that come to mind that have revolutionized the field of pain management. The notable ones that come to mind are: 1) opioids; 2) ablative therapy; and now 3) neuromodulation. However, unlike opioids, which contributed to the opioid epidemic and are no longer recommended for long-term chronic pain, neuromodulation offers robust analgesia with a broad range of applications. It is particularly exciting due to its versatility, extending beyond pain management to conditions like overactive bladder syndrome and mobility restoration in paralyzed spinal cord injury patients. Being part of this innovative and research-driven field is truly a privilege. 
 
I am a NANS member because:
NANS is the premier society in neuromodulation and pain, bringing together a diverse array of specialties, including anesthesia/pain, neurosurgery, physiatry, and engineering. This inclusivity provides unparalleled opportunities to network and learn from other professionals. NANS is particularly welcoming to young and early-career clinicians, offering numerous avenues to get involved, whether in educational initiatives, advocacy, or other efforts supporting the society's mission. 
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​My favorite movie:
Without a doubt, my favorite movie is "Black Panther." 

Words to live by:
“If there is a will, there is a way.” This is a guiding principle imparted to me by my grandmother. 

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