Dr. Ryan Workman's Journey to Desert Pain in Cedar City
As the only dedicated pain physician living and working in Iron County full-time, Dr. Ryan Workman of Desert Pain Specialists helps patients struggling with chronic and acute pain from head to toe — and every joint in between.
Workman was born and raised in the Salt Lake Valley. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, he left Utah to attend the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a surgical internship and residency in anesthesiology at the University of Arizona Medical Center before receiving fellowship training in interventional pain management at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire.
Desert Pain in Cedar City
Already Southern Utah’s most established pain clinic, Desert Pain expanded into Cedar City during the spring of 2017 and hired Workman to manage the new location. He was practicing in Las Vegas at the time, while planning to move home to Utah as soon as an opportunity presented itself, and Desert Pain proved to be the perfect fit. A pioneer in interventional pain management, the clinic is dedicated to improving access to pain treatment for Southern Utah patients.
“I’ve practiced in big cities, and I didn’t want to do that again,” he said. “Cedar City is the right size where I know the doctors that I’m referring to, and I know the doctors that are referring to me.”
A devoted family man, Workman was also looking for a quiet, safe community where he and his wife could raise their nine children to explore and appreciate the outdoors. It didn’t take him long to realize that Iron County was the place he wanted to plant roots and spend the rest of his life.
“Cedar City, for me, is the perfect lifestyle.”
Proud and Grateful Residents of Iron County
Workman sees patients in Cedar City five days a week and also connects with the surrounding communities of Panguitch, Beaver, Delta and Fillmore via Desert Pain’s satellite locations. Additionally, he serves as chair of the St. George Regional neuroscience department.
As a proud and grateful resident of Iron County, Workman is committed to supporting his local community. He has served as chairman of the board for the Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce and donates to local schools as well as Southern Utah University.
Desert Pain is a health care partner of Vision Iron County, a coalition of community stakeholders assembled to promote intentional long-term planning. The clinic supports the Canyon Creek Women’s Crisis Center and the SUU Festival of Trees, among other causes.
In 2020, Workman was recognized as Medical Professional of the Year during the 70th annual Best of Cedar City awards, sponsored by the Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce. He was nominated by a patient, and ballots were cast by residents throughout the community.
Improving Quality of LIfe in Iron County and Cedar City
“The best thing about Iron County and Cedar City is that the community is what makes us who we are,” Workman said. “Our success comes because of our community, and the reason patients come to see us is because we care about the community.”
At Desert Pain, Workman and his team strive to improve patient quality of life with a variety of innovative therapies, from radiofrequency ablation and nerve blocks to steroid and Botox injections. The clinic also offers relief through minimally invasive, cutting-edge regenerative medicine treatments, including platelet-rich plasma injections.
“We do the vast majority of our procedures right here in Cedar City,” he said. “Patients very rarely have to travel anywhere else.”
Desert Pain mainly focuses on spine pain but also treats headaches, neck pain and various types of orthopedic joint pain. The clinic maintains a close relationship with MRI providers in Cedar City to allow patients quick access to imaging. Additionally, mental health services are available for chronic pain patients.
“Desert Pain gives patients the best opportunity to access the highest quality of care in a timely manner with well-trained providers,” Workman said. “It’s the place where members of our community can get the best care possible.”
Desert Pain is a team of highly skilled specialists seeking to improve patient quality of life through innovative pain management solutions. The clinic stands at the forefront of treating acute and chronic pain in Southern Utah by offering patients shorter wait times and more one-on-one attention from compassionate physicians and advanced practitioners trained in the latest procedures. Call 435-216-7000 or visit DesertPainSpecialists.com to schedule an appointment today.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
