Physician Bio
Physician Assistant Mary Patterson is originally from Sheridan, and has practiced most recently in North Carolina.
While her background was in Internal Medicine, Mary became interested in pain management in North Carolina, where she worked for an anesthesiology and pain management clinic.
According to Mary, patients with chronic pain have many challenges, and have usually seen several different types of providers looking for symptom relief. She feels that these patients are sometimes treated only with narcotics and not given the options of new medications, rehab, epidurals or nerve blocks.
"My goal is give my patients increased functionality," said Mary. "It is difficult to get through the day if you are in pain. It can make you feel hopeless and depressed. Your family gets tired of making allowances, and friends stop calling because the person is no fun to be around."
It is also important for Mary to get to know what's happening in her patient's lives. Patients may not take their medicine because they need to buy food, or they may be a grandparent that is raising grandchildren. Many aspects of a patient's daily life affects their potential for improvement.
"Dealing with the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of each patient is all a part of a comprehensive plan for their improvement."
Mary says she truly enjoys going to work every day. She does needlework in her spare time and also knits and makes clothing. She has a son, daughter-in-law and one year old grandson in Sheridan, where her father, a sister and a brother live.
"It's all about family," she said.