Dr. Michael S. Willens

4.7 ( 19 reviews )

Staff

Punctuality

Helpfulness

Knowledge

Ratings for Dr. Michael S. Willens

5
Staff
5
Punctuality
5
Helpfulness
5
Knowledge

Really awesome doctor and staff. Beautiful office too

Submitted March 20, 2022

5
Staff
5
Punctuality
5
Helpfulness
5
Knowledge

Dr Willens really listens and takes time to understand. He is very gentle, kind, and respectful. Treatment has been very helpful

Submitted Aug. 27, 2016

5
Staff
5
Punctuality
5
Helpfulness
5
Knowledge

I guess gracious is the right word. He is a gracious doctor. Smart and kind. Peaceful office. Professional staff. Courteous and prompt.

Submitted June 4, 2016

5
Staff
5
Punctuality
5
Helpfulness
5
Knowledge

I drive all the way from Lake City because it's worth it. I get treated right away and am always better after I leave. Nice office. Nice staff. Definitely recommended

Submitted May 31, 2016

5
Staff
5
Punctuality
5
Helpfulness
5
Knowledge

I agree with everyone else's good reviews of this doctor. What a doctor should be. Kind, caring, compassionate, good bedside manner, smart. Modern office and the staff is friendly and professional.

Submitted May 30, 2016

5
Staff
5
Punctuality
5
Helpfulness
5
Knowledge

Great doctor! Great staff! Beautiful modern office! It didn't feel like a typical doctors office. It was more like a resort or spa and that is really nice. I hurt my back in a car accident and was referred by my doctor when I didn't get better with physical therapy. I have to be honest and say that I wasn't crazy about the idea of going to pain management because I thought of pill mills. Dr willens is so far from a pill mill. I guess I wasn't sure what to expect but the they exceeded my expectations. They made it easy for me to get an appointment even though they were really busy. It was pretty quick in and out although the first visit took a while since they had to go over all my records with me and everything. In fact maybe that is what I liked the most. He is so thorough and listened and spent time with me and was very nice. Anyway I am a lot better and I didn't even need pain medication that I was worried about in the first place after all. I definitely recommend them to anyone who needs a great doctor

Submitted May 29, 2016

5
Staff
5
Punctuality
5
Helpfulness
5
Knowledge

I am really happy with being treated by Dr. Willens. I have had several pain doctors over many years and never had one as good as nice or as professional as Dr. Willens. My last doctor got hurt and couldn't practice anymore so I was really nervous when I got referred by the old office to a new pain doctor. Fortunately they sent me the right place and I should know because I have been around. I have had really mean doctors like a lady doctor who would yell at everyone to being at really dirty offices that were obviously pill mills. I have been at offices that are "herd 'em in - herd 'em out" Most offices they don't do anything for you and the staff obviously doesn't want to be there. I have actually been at offices where the staff asks me where they should go to look for a job. Not at Dr. Willens's office. Everyboyd really loves their job and it shows. They are always so happy I thought it must be fake so I asked. They all say the same thing that it is the best job and love working for Dr. Willens and it shows. Also the other patients are nice and friendly and I feel like I am in a really nice place because it is a really nice place. Dr. Willen has helped me so much with all the treatment that I am on a fraction of the meds that I came to him on. I am sleeping, actually sleeping at night because I don't have all the pain. I am not saying that I am perfect but I am saying that I am better than I have ever been since I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis 15 years ago. So if you're looking for a really good nice and genuine place to help you, I'd recommend them to anyone

Submitted May 23, 2016

5
Staff
5
Punctuality
5
Helpfulness
5
Knowledge

I had such a great experience with Dr. Willens that I felt compelled to write a review. I have never seen a pain management physician and was frightened. I have been tossed around by a bunch of other doctors who are trying to diagnose my pain but couldn't. Finally they referred me to pain management. Right away I knew I was at the right place. It is so warm and inviting and beautiful. The staff was so nice. I only had to wait a few minutes before I got to see the doctor. He took a long time with me to listen and learn all about me. I didn't feel rushed. I felt like he really cared – like everybody really care. He explained to me the whole process of how he was going to help me. After about four months, I am about 90% better. I'm able to work, play with my kids, and just enjoy life. My husband is so happy and says, "I have my wife back!" I feel like I am back too. I hope you'll never need a pain management doctor, but if you ever do I hope that you'll find Dr. Willens

Submitted May 22, 2016

2
Staff
1
Punctuality
1
Helpfulness
1
Knowledge

Let me start by saying you should review the "rules" that "are standard and required" about "turning in" unused medication that YOU or your insurance paid for that this physician requires. I had been seeing Michael Willens for quite a while when he needed to take an unannounced, immediate "sabbatical" for six months for some unspoken, unknown, never acknowledged reason. And then it turned out he needed three more months. And then another six. Then more- all of which I waited out because I had put so much faith in him, and was sure there would be some explaination upon his return. Well, there wasn't; not even a vague idea or apology for his abscence. He never said anything of his 18+ month long hiatus to any of his patients, even when several of us just asked if he was okay at that point, and that we were concerned. He cut his staff as 18+ months went on until only his nurse, Melissa, remained, who became responsible for everything but writing prescriptions. The interim docs I had to see in his place were terrible, and often didn't show up, which prompted many delayed prescriptions and procedures, along with extra visits that my insurance was billed for regardless, because Melissa would do all of the standard pain management procedures- like the vitals, updating of current meds, and a UDS, which billed out at over $400- *before* we found out that the interim doc for that day "wasn't coming after all." His return didn't improve things. He had difficulties in finding and keeping other staff, and his wait times became longer and longer. He started dropping his old patients as quickly as he could. I know this because most of us became familiar with one-another as we sat together in his absence, and have contacted each-other and compared our stories of before his leave, his absence, and afterwards with Willens. I was fortunate enough to find a REAL pain management doctor, that helped me get off the stuff Willens put me on, and find something far more rational for my needs; which ended up being a heck of a lot less meds, with just as much effectiveness- without feeling like a zombie. I tried to talk to Willens before my departure about the changes I wanted to make (do more with less), and he balked at the idea. If you're looking for a "pill mill" type doctor, he might be right for you. If you're looking to adequately manage your pain while still remaining functionality, I'd suggest you go elsewhere.

Submitted Jan. 24, 2016

Dr. Michael S. Willens' response
We are sorry to hear of your difficulties and are glad that you are receiving good care now. While it is true that Dr. Willens was unavailable ( 4 years ago ) in 2012 for 4 month due to an illness, we are puzzled why this review is being posted now, in 2016. It is difficult to comment on your experience from such a long time ago. If there were any such problems as you described, please know that they do not exist now. We have a brand-new location, state-of-the-art facility, with well-trained staff. While we are not perfect, we do try to give the very best care to all our patients. We wish you the very best and are sorry that you felt you were treated with less than our best.

Submitted March 30, 2016

Dr. Michael S. Willens' response
We are sorry to hear of your difficulties and are glad that you are receiving good care now. It is difficult to comment on your experience from such a long time ago. If there were any such problems as you described, please know that they do not exist now. We have a brand-new location, state-of-the-art facility, with well-trained staff. While we are not perfect, we do try to give the very best care to all our patients. We wish you the very best and are sorry that you felt you were treated with less than our best.

Submitted April 9, 2016

5
Staff
5
Punctuality
5
Helpfulness
5
Knowledge

I finally found a great doctor. Gentle. Kind. Caring. Compassionate. Knowledgeable and wise. What else could you ask for?

Submitted May 25, 2015

Facility Affiliations


Dr. Michael S. Willens' Credentials

Accepting New Patients

Yes, this doctor is accepting new patients

Biography

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. Unfortunately nowadays, it is too common that being a doctor has moved away from these traditional values and has become a business. Both doctors and patients long to have the kind of relationships and care which has been eroded out of medicine due to “managed care” and “socialized medicine.” His mission in forming The Advanced Pain Management Clinic was to return to these time honored principles and to return to actually practicing the art of medicine. 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 received 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.

Languages

  • English

Education

  • Michigan State University College Of Osteopathic Medicine (Grad. 1997)

Insurance accepted by this Doctor

Other patients have successfully used these insurance providers, please call the Doctor's office to find out if your insurance plan is accepted.
Aetna
Blue Cross / Blue Shield
TRICARE