Clinical Team
At Pain Specialists, our mission is to alleviate or adequately manage pain through the most up-to-date interventional pain management treatment options available. Led by Edward Tavel, MD, the Pain Specialists clinical team is specialty trained and committed to providing high quality, compassionate care to our patients.
Edward M. Tavel, Jr., MD
Founder, Medical Director, Board Certified Physician
Born and raised in Charleston, SC, Dr. Edward Tavel has practiced pain management since 1993. Dr. Tavel uses a full range of interventional, non-surgical techniques and provides a comprehensive approach to treating pain. His special areas of interest include neurostimulation and medical research. He is specifically skilled in radiofrequency ablation for arthritic-related pain of the spine and is one of the few physicians in the Charleston area performing dorsal root ganglion stimulation, also known as DRG.
Dr. Tavel earned his undergraduate degree from Davidson College and his MD at the Medical University of South Carolina. He completed four additional years of anesthesia and pain medicine training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and was chief resident in his final year. He is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesia and the American Board of Pain Medicine.
Matthew Drakeley, MD
Board Certified Physician
Matthew Drakeley, MD received his Medical Degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He subsequently completed a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) residency at the University of Pittsburgh and was named Administrative Chief Resident for 2017-2018. Dr. Drakeley recently completed a one-year fellowship in Pain Management at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Drakeley also acts as an Investigator for Clinical Trials of South Carolina, an affiliate of Pain Specialists of Charleston.
Carly Runey, PA-C
Certified Physician Associate
Carly Runey is a certified physician associate with Pain Specialists of Charleston. Carly received her Bachelors Degree at The University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. Carly attended South University in Savannah, GA where she received her Masters of Physician Associate degree.
Kate Bowis, PA-C
Certified Physician Associate
Kate Bowis is a certified physician associate with Pain Specialists of Charleston. Kate received her Bachelors Degree at The Pennsylvania State (Penn State) University. Kate attended Arcadia University in Glenside, PA and received her Masters of Physician Associate degree in 2016.
Betsy Martin, PA-C
Certified Physician Associate
Betsy Martin is a certified physician associate with Pain Specialists as well as Neurology Specialists. Betsy received her Bachelors Degree at The College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. Upon graduation, Betsy attended The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) where she received her Masters of Physician Associate degree.
Hannah Culbreth, PA-C
Certified Physician Associate
Hannah Culbreth is a certified physician associate with Pain Specialists of Charleston. Hannah received her Bachelors Degree at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Upon graduation, Hannah attended Wingate University in Hendersonville, NC where she received her Masters of Physician Associate degree.
Sierra Laster, PA-C
Certified Physician Associate
Sierra Laster is a Certified Physician Associate PA-C. Sierra received her Bachelors Degree at Clemson University. Upon graduation, Sierra attended the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and received her Masters of Physician Associate degree. Sierra joins our team to work with both Pain and Neurology Specialists.
Joanna Farrell, PA-C
Certified Physician Associate
Joanna Farrell is a certified physician associate with Pain Specialists as well as Neurology Specialists. Joanna received her Bachelors Degree at Clemson University. She received her Masters of Physician Associate degree at The Medical University of South Carolina(MUSC).