Menu
15047 Los Gatos Blvd. Ste 200, Los Gatos, CA 95032
Fax: (408) 378-4510
Clinic Hours:
1st and 2nd Wednesday of each month from 9am to 4pm.
Dr. Abaci is certified in anesthesia and pain management by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Dr. Abaci received his undergraduate education at UC San Diego, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and attended medical school at the University of Southern California. During his last year of residency, he served as Chief Resident and participated in a senior elective in pain management. That experience sparked an interest that led him to UC San Francisco, where he completed his fellowship training in Pain Management. In private practice since 1996, he serves as the Medical Director of the nationally recognized Bay Area Pain and Wellness Center, located in Los Gatos, California, which he co-founded with Dr. John Massey. A widely respected expert on chronic pain management and a highly successful chronic pain sufferer, he is the author of 'Take Charge of Your Chronic Pain: The Latest Research, Cutting-Edge Tools, and Alternative Treatments for Feeling Better'.
Dr. Abaci began his quest to radically change conventional chronic pain thinking and treatment after dealing with the agony of his second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. There is help for conquering chronic pain, without a life addicted to drugs, and hope for healing and long-term health. Commonly prescribed pain-killing medications—Vicodin, Demerol, Oxycontin, and other narcotics—can result in a heightened sensitivity to pain, along with addiction. This has lead Dr. Abaci to focus on developing alternative solutions to treating chronic pain. Drawing on neuroscience research, evidence-based medicine, ancient Eastern spiritual traditions, stress management techniques, nutrition principles, exercise programs, art therapy, and real-life lessons, Dr. Abaci focuses on creating an integrative pain-fighting regimen for his patients.
Dr. Ortiz knew she wanted to be a physician since she was 12 years old. She grew up in Silicon Valley, attending U.C. Berkeley for her undergraduate education and then U.C. Davis for her medical training before completing her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Stanford University in 1997. She is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
Prior to moving to Integrated Pain Management, she worked in various practice settings, including private physiatry practice at Los Altos Spine and Sports for the past 15 years and private physiatry practice at Mills Peninsula Hospital in San Mateo prior to that. Her practice primarily focuses on the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of spine conditions and spine pain management, with an emphasis on performing electro-diagnostic studies (Electromyography/Nerve Conduction Studies). Her biggest job satisfaction comes from improving a patient’s functional ability, which ultimately leads to improving the quality of life for her patients. She especially enjoys working alongside her associate, Dr. John Welsh, who she trained with at Stanford and who she has known for over 20 years.
During her spare time, Dr. Ortiz enjoys traveling with her husband and two children, playing classical piano and trekking through the Napa Valley wine country with friends. She is fluent in Spanish.
Dr. Allison Alonas is a physical therapist practicing at IPM Los Gatos, delivering individual patient care. She had a love of movement from a very early age as a dancer and completed her undergraduate education at Chapman University, receiving a Bachelor of Biological Sciences and a Dance Minor. She later received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of California, San Francisco and San Francisco State University, combining her loves of movement and science. During her time as a Student Physical Therapist, she developed particular interests in teaching others about pain. This interest led her to Bay Area Pain and Wellness Center in Los Gatos, now IPM Medical Group, for one of her clinical rotations. She was impressed with the clinic’s unique philosophy of treating the whole person and recognized the therapeutic potential of working as part of a multidisciplinary pain management team. After completing nine months of post-graduate training at Kaiser Vallejo and receiving her certification in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation as a Level V Therapist, she is happy to be back at IPM Los Gatos. Dr. Allison Alonas has a passion for educating patients about their pain, empowering them to take an active role in their treatment, and seeing them return to valued life activities. When she’s not in the clinic, you can find her hiking on the trail, grooving in the studio, or catching the latest modern dance performance in the theater!
Alyssa Gomez, FNP-C attended Santa Clara University where she completed a bachelor’s degree in biology. She received her Master’s degree in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Samuel Merritt University in 2016. Since then, she has worked at IPM Wellness Center where she is helping her patients regain function and cope with their chronic pain. Alyssa focuses on educating her patients about the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach in dealing with chronic pain as well as promoting patient involvement in their healthcare. When she is not working, you will find her either at a San Francisco Giants or a 49ers game.
Dr. Angela Giertych earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of California San Francisco and San Francisco State University and a certification in Health and Wellness Coaching from Wellcoaches. Through her clinical training and diverse patient care experiences, she developed a passion for empowering people through intrinsic motivation and the use of mindful behaviors for lifelong wellness. She values the power of empathic communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and courageous presence to uplift patients and providers alike. Angela champions well-being by illuminating patient strengths so they can overcome daily challenges and feel their very best. Looking toward creative innovations for the future of chronic pain care, she promotes impactful wellness solutions through personalized health management technologies.
Brittany Jarrell was born and raised in Texas. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008. In 2013, she graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Master of Science in Nursing. She is currently board certified as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Brittany has practiced interventional pain management as a Nurse Practitioner since 2014 and has a passion for this patient population. When Brittany is not working, she enjoys exercising, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
Chelsea Nicholas earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Northeastern University in Boston. After graduating she moved back to the east bay area to work at an outpatient clinic for about 2 years where she used her positive upbeat energy and compassion to guide her patients throughout their rehabilitation process. She loves treating patients of all ages with a variety of injuries and incorporating yoga into treatments. Prior to graduate school, she worked in other health-oriented settings which helped her discover her passion for holistic and wellness-based approaches. Her philosophy is to create a safe space for patients to learn to re-connect with their body through mindfulness and explore their relationship with pain and movement. One of her favorite parts of being a PT is that she absolutely loves to watch her patients progress and transform to achieve their goals and bring to light new discoveries about their capabilities. She is always excited to encourage and motivate her patients, especially during the tough times, and remind them of how much they’ve already achieved.
In her free time, she enjoys swimming, surfing, writing fiction, meditating, dancing, working out, and binge-watching her favorite shows.
Erika Palmquist Smith, LPCC, RYT-500 is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor as well as a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500-hour level. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Scripps College in Claremont, California in 2003, and received her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2006. She also pursued post-graduate studies at St. Mary’s University to learn advanced diagnostic and treatment planning techniques. She spent five years providing in-home counseling and support for adults, families, and children dealing with chronic illness and a traumatic brain injury before moving to California in 2011. Once she moved to the Bay Area, Erika was able to pursue her second passion of teaching yoga and meditation and received specialized training in functional anatomy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and adaptive yoga for clients dealing with cancer or other chronic illness. Additionally, she spent time providing counseling and support to families with children on the Autism Spectrum, as well as providing mental health training for volunteers on the county crisis line. In 2017, Erika was able to combine both interests of clinical counseling and mindful movement in her position at IPM Los Gatos. Erika leads psychoeducational groups within the Functional Restoration Program to facilitate a greater understanding of the effects of mood, stress, and cognition on chronic pain. In individual counseling sessions, Erika utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies as well as mindfulness, relaxation, and breathing exercises to help foster a deepening awareness of our internal capacity to heal.
Janifer Dhanoa, FNP attended University of California Santa Cruz where she completed a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from West Coast University, and then completed her Master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Samuel Merritt University. She has worked in health care for 6 years with experience in cardiology, home health, and hospice. She was born and raised in the East bay. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Medicine Dr. McKellar began his career as a researcher and clinical educator at the Palo Alto VA and Stanford University studying interventions for addiction, pain, and PTSD before spending several years as a national trainer for cognitive-behavioral pain interventions in the VA. His approach for helping patients with chronic pain incorporates Mindfulness/CBT interventions with pain neuroscience education. Whether working with pain or trauma Dr. McKellar helps patient use their understanding and self-com passion to develop effective ways to cope with pain and negative mood.
Kayla Ormandy, AMFT, ATR-P is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Provisional Art Therapist. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Antioch Los Angeles in 2017, and Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University in 2020. Prior to studying psychology, Kayla studied the healing of the body. She graduated in 2007 from Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy where she studied Neuromuscular Therapy, Joint Movement and Sports Massage. In 2011 she completed a 200-hour Yoga Teaching Certification from Root Education and Apprenticeship which deepened her understanding of the effect of mindfulness and breath work on restoring balance to the central nervous system. This background provided Kayla with unique insights into how interwoven the mind and the body are when it comes to the healing process. In clinical practice, Kayla brings these experiences to her psychotherapeutic clients by incorporating art-making, breathing practices, and mindfulness. Her professional experience includes treating anxiety and stress, grief, self-esteem issues, substance use, adjustment difficulties, neurological disorders, and trauma. Kayla approaches pain management through DBT, redefining values, and reconstructing identity. She feels honored to assist clients in developing a more positive relationship with themselves and their bodies at both Los Gatos and Capitola Bay Area Pain & Wellness Centers.
Lindsey began practicing yoga more than 13 years ago when she was searching for a way to have a healthier connection to her body and mind. What began as a method of relaxation, turned into a journey of self-discovery that encompassed mindfulness and fitness. In her practice, Lindsey found better body alignment, reduction in stress, and a passion for helping people feel the same. This leads her to complete a 500-hour teacher training through the JOY of Yoga with Jennifer Prugh and 200 hour Qigong training. As a practitioner and an instructor, Lindsey blends several styles of yoga including Yin, Restorative, Gentle flow, Qigong, and Chair with meditation and visualization techniques. A common theme across all the styles that Lindsey teaches is aligning to the body, not the posture. Further, she believes in focusing upon breathing for the purpose of unifying body and mind to alter an individual’s energy. Aligning the body with breath yields positive results on a person’s frame of mind, leaving the practitioner relaxed and empowered to face the challenges of the day. Lindsey believes in making yoga an accessible and enriching experience for all people; working with a broad range of ages and levels, from teenage beginners to daily practitioners and seniors.
Marianne Benforado, licensed acupuncturist, is delighted to be a Wellness Education Provider for IPM. This position is an excellent fit because of her expertise in chronic pain, ability to deliver top notch educational presentations and highest intention of supporting people in need. Also, as a daily meditator for over two decades, she has been told that she has a calm and grounding presence which is important for interacting with people in chronic pain. Marianne is also a Qi Gong teacher and it is one of her passions to share this knowledge with others as these simple movements coordinated with breathing can create the foundation for health in the body, mind and spirit. As a holistic health care provider, she believes that the daily lifestyle choices people make have the biggest impact on health and she loves to educate others on the best choices to make in terms of relaxation, sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
She received a Bachelor of Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison and then earned a Masters of Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University in Santa Cruz California. The MTCM is a four academic year professional degree. The curriculum totals over 3,000 hours of which 900+ hours are clinical study and practice. Marianne also received advanced certification in sports medicine and orthopedics. After graduation she completed a two year residency program mentoring with a leading orthopedic acupuncturist in the Bay Area. She then completed The Acupuncture Sports Medicine Apprenticeship Program. The mission of this intensive program is “ integrating traditional Chinese acupuncture with anatomy, orthopedics, and western sports medicine practices.” She had a successful private acupuncture practice in Santa Cruz for many years. On a personal note, she finds that getting regular exercise, having a daily spiritual practice, and staying connected with nature are essential for her wellbeing. She often says “laughter is the best medicine” and is grateful to her sweet doodle for daily doses of smiles and laughs.
Marie Reedy is a Physician Assistant based out of Sacramento, California, board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). She graduated from University of California, Davis School of Medicine in 2006, and has more than 16 years of experience. Marie’s career has spanned multiple disciplines such as family practice, nuclear medicine, radiology, urgent care, and she’s focused on occupational medicine in the last few years. Throughout her experience in occupational medicine, Marie has seen a variety of workplace injuries, provided x-ray, primary care, urgent care, biometrics, and laboratory services, and collaborated employee recovery with multiple specialists and physical therapists to limit employee time away from work.
Matt heard his calling after spending 6 years in corporate customer care and returned to school to receive his B.S. in Sports and Health Sciences with a concentration on Sports Medicine. He earned his personal training certification and increased his coaching to a wider range of sports including rugby, football, baseball, soccer, and swimming. After 3 years as a personal trainer working with a wide range of clients including many post-rehab, he happened upon a job posting for BAPWC in January 2010. Once he started here, he knew it was a perfect fit. Matt is married with 2 boys. His wife is a pediatric nurse who thoroughly enjoys helping kids recover from illness and injury. Both of his boys are student-athletes, one now attending Kent State University and the other a senior in high school. In his time here, he has increased his knowledge earning specialty certifications and his M.S. in Sports and Health Sciences. He thrives on seeing the patients here progress and move on to a more active life with the ability to do more of what they love to do. He continues to coach high school football and maintains a high level of fitness.
Megan was raised in Santa Cruz, CA and Tucson, AZ and received her Masters in Counseling Psychology with a Correctional Emphasis from Santa Clara University in 2016. Megan has since been working as a licensed marriage and family therapist with experience in the following areas: Attachment & Trauma, Food & Mood Connections, Mindfulness & Meditation Practices, Anxiety & Stress Management, Depression & Self-Worth Concerns, Alcohol & Other Substance Misuse, Social & Generalized Anxiety, Developmental life transitions, Emotional Intelligence, and Eating & Nutritional Concerns. Megan is also a certified yoga instructor and has thrived with chronic pain since 2010. Megan believes we all can benefit from education about how to best take care of ourselves and is passionate about providing individuals with the tools to do so.
Michelle Sayaseng is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She received both her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Columbia University in New York City. Michelle is extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with the Boomerang team and aims to provide high-quality, compassionate care for her patients.
Rachel is a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She graduated with honors for her bachelor’s degree at University of Michigan School of Nursing. During her time as a Registered Nurse, Rachel worked at a Level II Trauma Center in their stroke/step-down as well as intensive care unit. Rachel noticed that most of her patients in the hospital suffered from chronic pain and illnesses that could have been prevented or addressed if managed early and continually. Caring for these critically ill patients instilled in Rachel a desire to pursue her master’s degree at Samuel Merritt University. As an FNP, Rachel strives to help her patients throughout their lifespan. She is a strong advocate of collaborative and holistic care in meeting patient’s unique, individualized needs. Rachel is now excited to grow her nursing career in pain management with compassion, empathy, and a positive outlook for her patients.
Sang Won Yoon has been a Diplomat of Oriental Medicine since 2004 (NCCAOM) and California licensed acupuncturist since 2005. He graduated with a Master in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Science in Oakland, CA. After passing his California board exam, he went to Shanghai, China for a post-graduate internship at Shu Guang TCM Hospital. Afterward, he went to Kyung Hee University Hospital, in Seoul, South Korea, where studied in the Oriental medicine wing of the hospital at the internal medicine, neuropsychiatry, rehabilitation medicine, and gynecology departments. Sang Won has traveled all around the world treating and educating people about acupuncture. I have a passion for Chinese Medicine and trying to help improve the lives of my patients.
Shamay Singian is a Family Nurse Practitioner who graduated from Samuel Merritt University. She has experience with primary care with a focus on cardiology. She is also well-versed in wound care, acute and long-term care, and case management. With over ten years of work in the healthcare industry, she brings a broad set of skills and experiences to the practice.
With Shamay as your provider, not only will you receive up-to-date and evidence-based care, but you will also experience an individualized holistic approach to your Health accompanied with compassion, empathy, and a positive outlook.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, movies, and reading novels.
I received my bachelor’s degree in nursing at University of Maryland Baltimore and later completed my master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Simmons University in 2018 as a member of Sigma Theta Tau, nursing’s National Honor Society. I am nationally certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. I have several years of experience as a bedside nurse working on a medical intensive care unit and cardiac telemetry unit. I love to empower patients and help them understand the reasoning behind my approach. Outside of work I enjoy dancing, traveling, and spending time with my fiancé. Having relocated from Maryland, I also enjoy exploring and discovering new activities and foods in our area!
Toni Morley graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Sociology and from The College of Notre Dame with an MA in Counseling Psychology and Art Therapy. She worked at El Camino Hospital in the Department of Psychiatry and spent 20 years in private practice with children, individuals and couples. She worked for 8 years as a dementia specialist for the Alzheimer’s Association of CA and Northern Nevada and 2 years working at the Bay Area Pain and Wellness Center working with chronic pain patients. She is certified as an EMDR specialist and has a California license to practice hypnotherapy. She has written chapters in several art therapy books and won the Jefferson Award for her work with dementia patients.
Victoria Bunarjo attended University of California Irvine where she received her bachelor's degree in Public Health Science. She received her master's degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Samuel Merritt University. She's been working in healthcare for 8 years in internal medicine, family medicine, and reproductive endocrinology. She was raised in the Bay Area and enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family.
We know that pain interferes with every aspect of your life, that’s why we’ve put our years of experience and success into discovering the root of your pain and the most appropriate treatment for each individual case.
We are honored to work with you towards your new, restored, lifestyle.