Surgical Team
Dr. Christopher Ray, M.D
Dr. Christopher Rays inspiration going into medicine was his mother, Linda Ray. Her commitment and dedication to patients and medicine provided Dr. Ray with a clear pay for his future. Dr. Ray graduated with Honors in 1996 from Texas Southern University. After completing his residency at the University of Texas in Houston, Dr. Ray moved to Phoenix, AZ to join a private practice and within two years became the President of Desert Canyon Medical Associates and led a 10-physician group that worked at two hospitals and one surgery center.
Dr. Paul Gaitan, M.D
Dr. Paul Gaitan, MD is an Anesthesiology Specialist in Phoenix, Arizona and has over 21 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from University of Rochester medical school in 2000. Before joining the medical team, he served in the United States Air Force and in health care facilities throughout the greater Phoenix area. Dr. Gaitan is proud to be a part of Pain Stop Clinics supporting all patients with the proper surgical care they need.
Dr. Timothy Luke
After receiving the National Collegiate Medical Professions Award and completing his B.S. in Microbiology before entering medical school in 1992, at the University of Colorado, where he received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1996. During his medical training, he received the Merck Award for Scholastic Achievement and then headed to the east coast to train at New York’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he completed his internship, residency, and two fellowships in Orthopedic/General Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Research respectively, and then secured the position of Attending Surgeon in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Upon successful mastery of orthopedic surgical techniques, Dr. Luke entered into private practice. Having suffered from a broken neck, as a result of a sports injury, and having faced the prospect of not being able to pursue his passion for sports, Dr. Luke has a thorough understanding of the pain and suffering, experienced by his patients. The tenacity and dedication of the medical staff played a vital role in Dr. Luke’s recovery and enabled him to continue playing sports, along with indulging in life’s other simple pleasures. This first-hand understanding is what has, and continues to fuel Dr. Luke’s dedication to his profession. In addition to being a dedicated professional, Dr. Luke is also a devoted husband and father. He currently resides in Tampa with his wife Sonya, daughter Devon, and son Brendon
Dr. Dilan Ellegala: Neurosurgery, Spinal Minimal Decompression/infusion
Dr. Ellegala has received numerous academic and clinical honors and has been consistently recognized for his excellence in patient care. Physicians, CEOs, and leaders of countries have sought his surgical expertise. In addition to his pioneering work in the US, he is a testament to the transformational power of teaching and the ever-present potential for change in the world as demonstrated through his training of health care workers in remote Tanzania to perform brain and spine surgery. Today, what began as one doctor teaching another has become the NGO Madaktari (Swahili for “doctors”) that has grown into a group that has sent hundreds of doctors to the developing world to serve as mentors and to create a sustainable new model for global health based on Dr. Ellegala’s “train-forward” philosophy. His groundbreaking work in global medical education is documented in the book, A Surgeon in the Village: An American Doctor Teaches Brain Surgery in Africa, by Pulitzer-nominated journalist Tony Bartleme. The work, described by Tom Brokaw (NBC news anchor and author) as “A lyrical, inspirational and altogether rewarding account of first- and third-world surgeons working together to perform neurosurgery miracles in the heart of Africa” underscores the principles of our Founding Surgeon and Sonospine – to be a source of good in the world. Dr. Ellegala and his wife Carin have four children.
Dr. Eric Eifler: Orthopedic Surgery
Eric A. Eifler, MD is an expert in the field of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine with more than 18 years of experience. He has received recognition as a Top Doctor in Arizona and North Texas. Fellowship-trained in sports medicine, he has specialized training and surgical experience in arthroscopically reconstructing ligaments and restoring damaged cartilage in the knee and shoulder, including PRP and stem cell treatments and allograft transplantation. He treats all aspects of shoulder disorders, such as dislocation, instability, separations, labral tears, and rotator cuff tears.