Southwoods Pain & Spine Center

"Been seeing Dr Corfias for pain mgt for 10 years. Injections are only temporary and abandoned aid. Will be seeing Dr Shannon for his input. 5 star facility and staff"

"I went to Southwoods Pain &Spine center for a consult because I have suffered from back pain for many years and it has gotten to the point that I can’t take it anymore and was willing to have surgery. I met with Dr Frank Grisafi. After looking at my X-rays and MRI he scheduled me for surgery 15 days later. He informed me that he could do a spinal fusion but would not be correcting everything that was wrong because he does minimally invasive surgery. I was willing to have the surgery because I was in so much pain. However, when I left and spoke to my family we decided to cancel and find a doctor who could correct all of the issues even if it meant major surgery. When I did find a neurosurgeon it was pointed out to me that I needed to be off my biologic medications I take for arthritis for six weeks prior to any surgery or I would not heal properly. These medications suppress the immune system and healing. This included the very spinal fusion that Dr Grisafi was going to do as well as the additional work. The hardware could basically fall right out of the bones. The subject of my medications or the need to be off of them prior to surgery was never discussed with me by Dr Grisafi. He was willing to do the surgery upon our first meeting and a mere 15 days later. Had I gone ahead and had the surgery while still taking those medications it is highly likely the surgery would have failed. I feel this was grossly negligent on his part and I strongly discourage anyone who is considering back surgery to look to him for care. In addition, I had two spinal injections at Southwoods by Dr McGrath. I had never even met the man, and when he came in to do the injections he didn’t introduce himself to me or anything. He walked around complaining about food spills on the equipment in the room he was doing the injections in and just started to proceed with the injection. I ASKED him who he was because he could have been a nurse or aide for all I knew. The only other off putting thing I feel I need to mention is the fact that no matter what they’re doing, paperwork, exams, etc they keep reminding you that they are physician owned. What’s that all about?"

"This place is an absolute joke. They mess up drug screens and do not admit to any wrongdoing. There is no way possible they made any mistakes even with a hair test that was taken and proved them wrong. Do not attempt to file a complaint with that department because nothing is done. This place needs shut down because they do not help , do not offer quality services but I mean I guess it is ok for people in Youngstown. Staff should be ashamed to say they work there because you are interfering with lives here. I will be contacting the medical board because whoever really did test positive is still getting treatment meanwhile we are suffering"

"This place is huge and the parking lots are confusing and not well connected. They are always busy. I have some kind of flu thing and wanted to cancel or move or maybe just do a telephone appointment. I called, no one answers and I leave a message. I get a call back and the lady transfers me and they don't answer and I leave another message. I'm afraid they might charge me for "no show". So I either go in the office when I'm sick and potentially infect a bunch of people (seems reckless) or play telephone tag and hope they don't penalize me for missed appointment."

"Dr. Iskander is a kind and compassionate doctor. He makes you feel like he truly cares and wants to help. Unfortunately, he is the exception to the rule. He's the full package; a brilliant doctor, with no arrogance, and no ego. He listens to his patients and provides reasonable solutions. I don't know what I'll do when he retires, because he's one of a kind. He should be teaching others."