Locating a specialist near you
STAFF/WIRE REPORT
How do you know if you need a physiatrist? Another specialist or your primary-care doctor may recommend one if you have a chronic problem or need help recovering from an operation or a brain or spine injury. Or you may decide to go if you need more than physical therapy but less than surgery (for a recurring back problem, for instance.)
Your best bet in finding a physiatrist is to ask your doctor to recommend one. Local hospitals can guide you to physicians specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. You can also look in the Yellow Pages under physicians and surgeons grouped by specialty. Look for physical rehabilitation or physical therapy (although with this latter category, it's not always clear that you're getting a physiatrist until you call).
The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation has a "Find a Physiatrist" database at www.e-aapmr.org/imis/imisonline/findphys/find.cfm, as does the Association of Academic Physiatrists at www.physiatry.org/field/findone.html.
Here are the physiatrists listed for the Youngstown area. All are board-certified.
UFred S. Chen, M.D., Forum Health, 500 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, (330) 740-4730.
UIrene K. Heldman, M.D., Ohio Sport & amp; Spine, 1265 Boardman-Canfield Road, Youngstown, (330) 758-9400.
UAnthony N. Pannozzo, M.D., 1419 Boardman-Canfield Road, Youngstown, (330) 726-9046. Web site: www.anthonynpannozzomd.salu.net.
URonald M. Yarab Jr., M.D., PM & amp;R North Inc., 822 E. Western Reserve Road, Poland, (330) 758-8223.
UJoseph A. Cerimele, D.O., Ohio Sports & amp; Spine Institute Ltd., 7067 Tiffany Blvd., Poland, (330) 726-7411.
UCybele A. Wassef, M.D., 725 Boardman-Canfield Road, Building A, Suite 2, Boardman, (330) 629-2726.