Meet the Wellward Team

Danesh Mazloomdooost MD (Dr. Danesh) Anesthesiologist and Regenerative Specialist

Dr. Danesh is a native Kentuckian and second generation of physician running Kentucky’s first multidisciplinary pain clinic. He trained in anesthesiology from Johns Hopkins and Interventional Pain from MDAnderson before post-fellowship training in Musculoskeletal and Regenerative medicine. He speaks, consults, and advocates on reform in pain management and orthopedics minimizing opioid exposure and surgical needs. He is best-selling author of Fifty Shades of Pain: How to Cheat on your Surgeon with a Drug-free Affair and his latest book Orthobiologics Book is his foray into pain and orthopedics reform. Dr. Danesh is Medical Director of Wellward – a living laboratory for innovation in pain and orthopedic care.

Dr. Maz (retired) ANESTHESIOLOGIST AND PAIN SPECIALIST

Manoochehr Mazloomdoost, M.D. (known as Dr. Maz) is a board certified Anesthesiologist and Pain Specialist. He is a pioneer in pain management and among the leaders in forefathers of this field since 1983. After serving as the Director of Pain Management at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Maz came to Lexington to start the Department of Pain Management pain department at the Veteran’s Veterans’ Administration. In 1992, he and his wife, Dr. Shirazi, began one of the first comprehensive pain practices in the country. Together they began the legacy practice that is now called Wellward Medical, one of the oldest practices in Kentucky focusing on sustainable treatments for pain.

Dr. Shirazi PSYCHIATRIST, Founding member of Wellward

Camellia Shirazi, M.D. has a unique background combining anesthesiology and psychiatry to bring greater insight to the cause and effect of mental health problems, particularly in the context of physical pain. Dr. Shirazi began her medical career in anesthesiology, focusing on the physiology and biochemistry of the body. Her interests quickly evolved to include the chemistry of the brain and how mood affects body function. Ultimately, she found her calling in psychiatry. She is a pioneer in this field and was one of the founders of the practice that is now Wellward Medical.

Dr. James Escaloni, DPT

Dr. James Escaloni, DPT serves as a physical therapist and movement specialist at Wellward Medical. He is board certified, residency, and fellowship trained in orthopedics. Originally from Rochester, N.Y., he is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and Regis University programs in physical therapy. In addition to identifying the cause of pain in the most complex patients, Dr. Escaloni teaches around the world on topics like differential diagnosis and manual therapies.

Dr. Escaloni is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapists. He holds a post-graduate Diploma in Osteopractic, as well as certifications in Spinal Manipulative Therapy, Dry Needling, Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, and Selective Functional Movement Screening and Assessment. He has also taken on the duties as a musculoskeletal sonographer for Wellward. Dr. Escaloni has served on the State Board for the Kentucky Strength and Conditioning Association. Most importantly, he loves to spend time with his family, exercising, and helping coach wrestling in Woodford County, KY.

Dr. Chris Ethridge, MD, Family Medicine Specialist

Dr. Chris Ethridge is a Kentucky native who strongly believes in the Wellward vision of healing and innovation. Having attended medical school and then training in family medicine at the University of Louisville, Dr. Ethridge believes in exhausting non-surgical options for the management of injury and pain prior to undergoing invasive surgeries. A former paratrooper with the 82 nd Airborne Division, Dr. Ethridge is no stranger to sports injuries and pain. After seeing the intimate relationship healthcare providers had with their patients both on and off the battlefield, Dr. Ethridge was inspired to move back to Kentucky and pursue medicine. His passion is making connections with patients and providing care in a team-based approach that includes the patient in decision-making as opposed to dictating treatment plans. Dr. Ethridge has been married for 18 years to his wonderful wife and has two children, who are what keeps him grounded in life.

Travis Bridges, D.O Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Travis Bridges, DO, is a board certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist. He is a native Kentuckian who completed medical school at Campbell University followed by Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation training at Virginia Commonwealth University where he developed his passion for non-surgical treatment of pain/musculoskeletal conditions. In addition to his physiatrist knowledge, he also has extensive training in ultrasonography and electrodiagnostic testing to further aid in diagnosis and treatment. Returning home to care for fellow Kentuckians was always his goal and he was excited to find a rewarding opportunity in Lexington. Travis is also active in the community and serves as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation consultant at several rehab facilities in the community.

Trevor McHardy, PAC-Orthopedics Specialist

Trevor McHardy is a Physician Assistant who trained at St Louis University after years of working in the operating room, specializing in orthopedics. Despite his extensive surgical knowledge, Trevor believes that noninvasive therapeutic modalities should always be pursued first, which is what drew him to Wellward and our mission to optimize the body’s potential for healing. Trevor and his wife moved from St. Louis to Lexington this summer, and we are thrilled to have him as a new addition to our team.

Megan Begley, LCSW

Megan Begley is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in somatic (mind-body), depth psychology (subconscious), and transpersonal (psychospiritual) approaches for mental health disorders and identity growth. She joined Wellward to be part of an integrative healthcare team, apply her skills to the progressive field of ketamine-assisted therapy, and collaborate in the development of innovative treatment models for chronic pain, chronic illness, and addiction. Previously, she worked in correctional mental health, community mental health, opioid addiction treatment, and private practice with specialization in trauma therapy. Along with training in a variety of treatment modalities including EMDR, and Internal Family Systems, Megan has a 25-year personal background in Eastern spirituality and holistic wellness.

Jeannie Wilkins, PMHNP-BC

Jeannie Wilkins is a Vanderbilt educated, board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner who believes in a client-centered, holistic approach to healing. As a certified integrative mental health provider, Jeannie takes into account all aspects of health to formulate a plan for lasting healing.

Jeannie’s clinical areas of focus include depressive disorders, anxiety and panic disorders, bipolar spectrum disorders, OCD, grief, and sleep disorders. Treatment options include holistic medicine, medication management, and TMS. Jeannie is also trained in Interpersonal and Social Rhythm therapy to help improve mood stability by working with biological/social rhythms. Jeannie believes the healing process begins with establishing a therapeutic alliance. She wants to hear your story and wants you to feel truly heard. Through an integrative approach, she will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that focuses on improving your overall well-being.

Patricia Rust

Patricia Rust earned her Human Nutrition and Dietetics degree from the University of Kentucky and is currently educating individuals on how nutrition affects our mental and physical health. She has taught nutrition to K-12 students in the homeschool community through Bluegrass Homeschool Learning Cooperative and Red Oaks Forest School. She was a founder of Bluegrass Homeschool Learning Cooperative and moved toward educating adults in nutrition as her kids grew older. She views food not only as a way of connecting with friends and family, but also a way to help our bodies heal physically and mentally. She chose to begin a new career at Wellward as the mission statement spoke to her, she has moved into a role that fits her passion of nutrition education. She sees education as a process of meeting people where they are and encouraging small changes at a time to get the results desired. She encourages everyone to view life's challenges as a new adventure, learn something new on the way, and have fun doing it.