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.
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.
Eric Shoemaker, D.O.
Dr. Shoemaker specializes in the evaluation and nonsurgical management of spinal injuries, concussion/traumatic brain injury, and peripheral nerve and musculoskeletal conditions. He holds a particular clinical interest in the complex functional relationships between the hip and lumbopelvic spine, the scapula and cervical spine, and the intersection of concussion and whiplash-associated disorders. With advanced expertise in interventional spine care, ultrasound, electrodiagnostics, and regenerative medicine, Dr. Shoemaker integrates technical precision with a commitment to counseling patients on health and wellness throughout their recovery.
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.
Kiyoshi Yamazaki, MD
Dr. Yamazaki provides nonoperative sports medicine diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation prescription, ultrasound-guided injections and minimally invasive procedures, along with prevention of musculoskeletal ailments and injuries at Mile High Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine in Denver, Colorado.
Over the past 15 years, Dr. Yamazaki has served as a sideline physician for multiple professional, collegiate, high school, and Olympic-level athletes, and continues to help weekend warriors, industrial workers, outdoor enthusiasts, and athletes of all ages and disciplines return to their active lifestyles.
A Los Angeles native, he spent his medical school clinical years in Oklahoma City, OK and then did his residency and fellowship training in Georgia, before he chose to bring his family to settle here in Colorado.
Dr. Yamazaki’s practice strives to help patients maximize function as well as minimize disability and time away from sports, work, school, and activities. He listens and spends time to determine the root cause of a patient’s concerns, and then develops individualized treatment plans based on identified personal goals. He performs ultrasound-guided injections and other minimally invasive non-surgical procedures and orthobiologics, guides appropriate detailed referrals to physical therapy, and expedites both collaboration & consultation with specialty orthopedic surgeons when needed.
In addition to his professional life, Dr. Yamazaki is passionate about maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle though running, basketball, snowboarding, fly fishing, outdoor activities, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two boys and dog.