Our Team

Dr. Michael Willens is a Board Certified Anesthesiologist and Board Certified Pain Management physician who is passionate about being a “steward of healing.” He always had a deep respect and admiration for the doctors he knew. Those great physicians who were his mentors growing up, shaped his vision of what the art and the practice of medicine could be.

With this in mind, he studied Psychology, Philosophy, Ethics, and the Pre-Medical Sciences at Michigan State University. It was at this time that he was exposed to the similarities between Quantum Physics and the Eastern Philosophies. One of the essential principles of these very different disciplines was the duality of energy and matter: of the spirit and the body. The desire to apply this knowledge would become an important part of his interest to use Acupuncture, in addition to the traditional Western scientific technologies, to treat Pain and relieve suffering.

He received his medical degree at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. MSU COM is one of the best programs in the country for Biomechanics; Medicine; and Osteopathic Manual Medicine. It was there that he learned the holistic philosophy and the practical skills of Osteopathic Medicine that are ideal for the treatment of Pain.

Following his intensive medical internship at the prestigious Detroit Henry Ford and Riverview Hospitals, he went on to receive his specialty training in Anesthesiology and Pain Management at the world famous Cleveland Clinic Foundation. As a Special Fellow, he studied closely with Dr. Michael Stanton-Hicks, the world renowned physician and researcher. He formed lasting and strong professional relationships with his professors and is honored that they give him their highest recommendations.

At The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, he learned all Interventional Pain Management techniques which included everything from Acupuncture to Spinal Cord Stimulation. He also pursued advanced studies in Acupuncture with Dr. Joseph Helms from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA to add to his skills and knowledge.

Dr. Willens is a member of the most prominent medical societies including the American Osteopathic Association, the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and the Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Further, Dr. Willens is an expert and regular lecturer at the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association conferences where he provides his colleagues with their REQUIRED STATE OF FLORIDA CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION credits for FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS RELATED TO THE PRESCRIBING OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Dr. Willens has combined his interests, passions, skills, and knowledge in all that he does. He is a professional photographer, amateur astronomer, musician, artist, philosopher, physician, husband and father of four boys.

He moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 2001 and established the Advanced Pain Management Clinic. He created a unique, boutique-styled practice which is less clinical and more familiar, comfortable and home-like. In 2013, he was able to purchase and develop a large plot of land in the heart of Mandarin, Florida so that he could create his dream of a beautiful and State-of-the-Art facility where patients are able to receive the care that each of us deserves. He recruited a very special team of medical professionals who are truly set apart in their personal attention to patients.

He and his team welcome and invite you to become one of our patients and experience the kind of care that each one of us deserves.