Founders Credentials and Certifications

The incorporator of the PAIN Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, Inc., is Mark S. Gorchesky, MD, DABPM, a native of Johnstown. College, medical school, residency training, research and opportunities in progressive pain management centers took him away from the region since 1978. Along with his wife, Kathy, and son, Alex, he returned to western Pennsylvania early in 2002 determined to make a positive impact on the lives of those who suffer from severe chronic or cancer pain.

Since 1989, Dr. Gorchesky distinguished himself nationally as a board- certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine physician, treating nearly 100,000 patients in his career. In 2000, during his academic and clinical directorship position at Shands Jacksonville-University of Florida, Urban Campus, he was diagnosed with a rare disease known as pulmonary Sarcoidosis. This condition stiffens the lungs and significantly reduces their capacity. Pain is a constant for those with this condition because it also affects the bones, muscles and nervous tissue. The disease has left him unable to maintain a clinical practice at this time, unable to practice what took nearly half of his lifetime to learn. But it has also made him acutely aware of the impact that pain has on the millions of people who are afflicted with it. This awareness and his experience as the patient instead of the physician has motivated him and refocused the direction of his extensive medical training.

Faith, family, friends and medicine, both traditional and alternative, have brought him some relief from his symptoms and an unwavering resolve to bring relief and hope to those debilitated by chronic pain. He is steadfast in his commitment to make a difference in his own life while engendering that similar spirit in others for the PAIN Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. He is tireless in his efforts and wants everyone who contacts the foundation for assistance to firmly believe that "It doesn't hurt to try."