Samuel Y. Chan, MD
Samuel Y. Chan, MD, provides rehabilitation and pain management services at Mile High Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine, where he also completed his residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Chan completed his Medical Acupuncture training at the UCLA School of Medicine and is certified by the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
Dr. Chan has been in private practice in the greater Denver area since 1994. His practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, as well as the development of plans in the treatment of acute, sub-acute and chronic pain conditions, and maximizing functions.
He performs electrodiagnostic studies (EMG), interventional lumbar spine injections, extremity injections, diagnostic nerve blocks, botulinum toxin injections, and medical acupuncture. Dr. Chan is trained in stem-cell therapy and PRP therapy, in addition to other medical procedures to keep patients active, whether it is for work, recreation, or high-level competition.
Dr. Chan is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is Level II accredited through the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation.
In addition to English, Dr. Chan also fluently speaks Cantonese and Mandarin.
Dr. Wakeshima
Dr. Wakeshima received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Columbia University in New York City and his Medical Degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his internship at the Navel Medical Center, Portsmouth, and underwent further post-graduate training in Undersea Medicine at the Naval Undersea Medical Institution in Groton, CT and Panama City Beach, FL. During his training he was certified as a U.S. Navy Deep Sea Diver.
Dr. Wakeshima was a U.S. Naval Undersea Medical Officer and served in the Persian Gulf War. He was honorably discharged in 2002 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Dr. Wakeshima completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2000 at the University of Pennsylvania. His medical interests include non-surgical management of the spine, complex orthotics and prosthetics management, sports medicine, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, electrodiagnosis, pain management and diving and hyperbaric medicine.
Dr. Wakeshima maintains board certification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is Level II accredited through the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation.
John T. Sacha, MD
Dr. Sacha is a nationally recognized expert in Interventional Pain Management and Complex Spinal Disorders. He is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Management and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Dr. Sacha’s practice includes Complex Spinal Disorders, Sports Medicine, minimally invasive spine surgeries and spinal injections. Dr. Sacha is the Director of an Interventional Pain Fellowship Program; a nationally accredited program that trains physicians in the identification and treatment of complex pain disorders, minimally invasive spine surgeries and spinal injections. Dr. Sacha lectures nationally and is a member of state and national committees committed to creating medical treatment guidelines advocating for patient treatment and care. Dr. Sacha serves on the Board of Directors for The Colorado Prep School and enjoys hiking and spending time with his wife Jessica, children Lila and Doren and his two Doodles.
Blake Kandah, MD
Blake Kandah, MD provides interventional pain and rehabilitation management services for complex spine disorders, musculoskeletal and sports injuries, and neurologic conditions at Mile High Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine in Denver, Colorado.
A Michigan native and a University of Michigan alumnus, he graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, and then completed his residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. He went on to complete additional fellowship training in Interventional Spine and Pain Management at Pacific Sports and Spine in Eugene, Oregon, before settling back in Denver.
Dr. Kandah’s practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of spine, sports, musculoskeletal, and neurologic disorders, as well as the development of specific treatment plans for acute, sub-acute, and chronic pain conditions. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient with a goal of maximizing function in their daily life, whether the focus includes work, recreation, and/or high-level athletic competition.
Dr. Kandah performs fluoroscopic-guided interventional spine injections and ablations (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral), ultrasound-guided peripheral extremity injections (joint, bursa, tendon), nerve conduction and electromyography studies (NCS/EMG), trigger point injections, diagnostic nerve blocks, and botulinum toxin injections. In addition, Dr. Kandah is trained in regenerative medicine therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) stem-cell injections. Regarding minimally invasive spine surgeries, Dr. Kandah performs spinal cord stimulator trials.
Outside of work, Dr. Kandah enjoys multiday backpacking trips, playing and writing music, watching basketball, road trips, and watching old movies.
Dr. Shimon Blau
Shimon Blau, a Denver native, attended medical school at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and performed his Internship in General Surgery at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. He then performed research at the National Institute of Health before completing residency at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, NY. Following residency, Dr. Blau practiced in Delray Beach, FL, where he established himself as one of the top rated pain management physicians in the state. He returned to Colorado in 2013, where he performed a fellowship in Intervention Spine and Sports Medicine. He has particular interest and expertise in ultrasound-guided injections, and has developed new techniques to improve safety and efficacy of these procedures. In his spare time, Dr. Blau enjoys the outdoors and is an active member in his community.
Eric Shoemaker, D.O.
Dr. Shoemaker sees every patient as an individual with a unique set of factors that contribute to their condition. By acquiring a detailed history and examination combined with imaging studies, he strives to discern not only a particular pain generator but the contributing factors to develop a comprehensive treatment approach. It is important to Dr. Shoemaker that every patient understands their diagnosis and the spectrum of treatment options that are available so that you can work together to move forward with a plan that fits your individual needs and goals.
Dr. Shoemaker is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, sports medicine, and pain medicine. After graduating medical school with highest honors where he received the Welch scholars grant and was on the chancellor’s list or the dean’s list each academic semester, he was inducted into Psi Sigma Alpha national honor society. He placed 96th% on national boards and went on to complete residency at the University of Colorado followed by fellowship in interventional spine and sports medicine at Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. Shoemaker is a Colorado native and loves spending time with his wife and 2 girls. He enjoys Krav Maga, wood working, and being outdoors.