The Permanente Medical Group, Inc.

DSA SPINE CARE CONSULTATION CLINIC

KAISER PERMANENTE MEDICAL OFFICES

200 MUIR ROAD

MARTINEZ, CALIFORNIA 94553

PHONE (925) 313-4740

FAX (925) 313-4726

Dear Spine Service Patient,

You have been referred to our department for a spine care consultation. One of our spine care specialists will listen to your history and perform a physical examination. The goal is to diagnose your problem as precisely as possible, and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. During your appointment, your spine problem may need to be reviewed by other members of the spine service team. For this reason, you should plan on and may spend up to several hours at the clinic {you may wish to bring some reading material or work to do while waiting). In some cases we may recommend that you come back to the clinic for another appointment to see a different member of our spine care team.

To assist your doctor in recommending the best possible care, we are requesting that you complete the “Initial Visit History Questionaire" as accurately as possible prior to your appointment and bring it to your appointment. You will have time to go into more detail with the physician on any issues which you feel you cannot adequately cover in the space allotted. Because it takes a little effort and time to complete the detailed history form, you should fill it out before your appointment.

If you have medical records or x-rays (MRI’s or CT scans) performed outside of Kaiser which have information about your current problem, please bring a copy of the actual study with you on the day of your appointment. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early so our receptionist can arrange your paperwork.

About the physical examination: You will be asked to undress to your undergarments and wear a hospital gown. Loose fitting athletic shorts may be worn in lieu of the gown, but not athletic body suits. A complete evaluation requires that the entire spine and extremities be visualized and examined. If you have any questions about your upcoming appointment, please call our staff at (925) 313-4740.

The DSA Spine Care Consultation Clinic is located in the Alhambra Building on the Kaiser Martinez campus. Please call (925) 372-1000 for directions. We look forward to providing you with a spine care consultation.

DSA Spine Care Consultation Team

Ferdy Massimino, MD, Chief of Spine Care Consultation Clinic

Yolanda Brown, RN, Manager of Spine Care Consultation Services

Aida Contreras, Spine Care Medical Assistant

Mary Boreta, Spine Care Medical Assistant

Gayle Thomas, Spine Care / Pain Management Receptionist

Bryan Fong, MD, Spine Care Specialist

Gordon Weiss, MD, Spine Care Specialist

Anatoily Fortenko, MD, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Spine Care Specialist

Kurt VanPeteghem, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgery & Neurosurgery Specialist