Meet the Physicians

 

Lynn Welch, M.D.

Lynn Welch, M.D. is a graduate of Creighton University School of Medicine and completed her internal medicine residency at Scott & White Hospital-Texas A&M School of Medicine and currently serves on the American Society of Interventional Pain Hawaii Board. She has worked as a internist at the Kaiser clinics and has spent many of her previous years working for the Veterans Hospitals in Texas. She has dedicated her medical care to the investigational and therapeutic direction of the best pain management choices of her patients. Dr. Welch has spent numerous years treating acute and chronic pain. Her specific training allows an integrated approach to pain medicine encompassing all health issues as well as other life factors contributing to patient well being and overall pain treatment.

 

Janelle Todd-Hesse

Janelle Todd-Hesse, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Hawaii-Hilo. Janelle has considerable experience in palliative care, hospice, and pain management, serving patients both as an organizational leader and in providing direct patient care in the community. Originally from Canada, Janelle obtained her Bachelor of Nursing degree in Calgary, Alberta, before starting on her nursing career in palliative care. After relocating to Maui two decades ago, she took the lead in the outpatient Oncology program and established a Pain and Palliative care program at Maui Hospital. Ten years later, Janelle transitioned to the Big Island, where she focused on providing community-based hospice, palliative care, and chronic care management. Janelle’s compassionate approach to patient care allows her to empathize with the challenges of pain and suffering. She is committed to delivering comprehensive care to enhance function and optimize therapy for an improved quality of life for her patients. Residing on the Hamakua coast with her husband and son, Janelle enjoys supporting the Monarch butterflies by cultivating milkweed and crown flowers. She is excited to join the team at Big Island Pain Center and looks forward to building strong relationships within the community she serves.

 

Tonya Waters

I worked for 16 years as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department as a trauma nurse at a level II Trauma center in Southern California prior to obtaining my Family Nurse Practitioner in San Diego California. After graduating I worked doing Chronic Care Management, evaluating high risk patient’s who have been discharged from the hospital. I manage their acute and chronic conditions and help bridge any gaps in healthcare and connect them with additional needed services with a goal of decreasing hospitalizations. I also worked part time for Neurointerventional Surgery assisting with the management of acute stroke patient’s both in interventional and medical management. Additionally, I worked part time for Urgent Care. I have a passion for health, wellness and integrative medicine.

I enjoy traveling and anything that involves nature and being outside. I love to hike, snorkel and mostly spend time with my family.

 

 

 

 

  • Testimonials

    “Big Island Pain Center is very good at working with workers compensation insurance and getting treatment plans together, I have received lumbar epidural steroids injections it has helped reduce my pain level. Their staff is very courtesy and respectful.” ~ R.R.- Big Island

    ‘I can’t even express in words the amount of gratitude and respect that I hold for Big Island Pain Center’s doctors, nurses and staff. I have been seen by over 24 varieties of doctors and not one even came close to the amount of relief that I experienced in just one procedure with Dr.Lynn Puana. Not only are they very educated and informative, they enjoy finding the solution to relieve pain. Their enthusiasm spreads to the wonderful staff that remember you by name after one visit. They are punctual and educate you on the procedures. I have been seen on the island and in Oahu. Nobody could find the source of my agonizing pain. I thought that I was going to live the rest of my life being short fused, unhappy, miserable and impaired. When I was consulted by Dr. Puana, she told me my symptoms and the reason…before I could even mention it! She located the injuries and educated me on how the process works and that they can treat me.

    All those years of suffering and loss in my life because the pain, I finally had hope. The procedure was painless! The kindness and preparation is something that the entire clinic makes sure all their patients get upon entering their front door. Even in the procedure room, both doctors calm you and tell you exactly what they are going to do and when I woke 20 minutes later, I could rotate my arm and actually lean my head forward and back, I could not do this without pain in years! The staff is ready and waiting to schedule you on the dot. They also answer their phones and assist you with any concerns or questions and they stay in close contact with each other. I brag constantly about Big Island Pain Center and the results that gave me my life back, literally! They are miracle workers and I thank them for giving me the chance to be healed, treated and live my life”! ~ J.P.- Big Island