Melanie M. Henry, MD, MPH, FASA, an Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist with

Get to know Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist Dr. Melanie M. Henry, who serves patients in San Francisco, California.

Dr. Henry is a seasoned anesthesiologist and pain management specialist who currently holds the position of Director of Telehealth & Outreach at the UCSF Pain Management Center, situated in San Francisco, California. She also collaborates closely with the faculty at the UCSF Spine Center to formulate comprehensive treatment plans for patients undergoing spinal surgery, extending her care throughout the entire surgical process.

Her clinical focus encompasses an extensive spectrum of chronic pain conditions, such as piriformis syndrome, failed back surgery syndrome, various manifestations of low back pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and cancer-related pain. Dr. Henry is adept at conducting pre- and postoperative assessments for individuals undergoing spine surgery, harnessing her expertise in fluoroscopy and ultrasound-guided techniques. She administers a wide array of pain-relief procedures, including epidural steroid injections, joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, and neuromodulation therapies.

Taking a patient-centric approach to pain management, Dr. Henry tailors her strategies to each individual’s unique needs. She actively promotes a collaborative approach, involving specialists in pain psychology, physical therapy, and neurology to formulate the most suitable treatment plans. Furthermore, she offers regenerative medicine techniques, such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and prolotherapy. Her latest innovation involves the utilization of pharmacogenetic profiles to optimize medication recommendations and responses.

In her role as a Professor of Anesthesia & Pain Medicine at UCSF, Dr. Henry plays an essential role in educating the next generation of pain management professionals. She mentors pain fellows, anesthesia residents, and medical students, imparting her knowledge on pain diagnosis and treatment.

With a notable educational background, Dr. Henry holds a Master of Public Health Degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, in addition to her Medical Degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in anesthesia and a fellowship in pain medicine at UCSF.

Subsequent to her education, the doctor attained board certification in anesthesiology and pain medicine through the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA). As the certifying body for anesthesiologists since 1938, the ABA is committed to partnering with physicians to advance lifelong learning and exceptional patient care. Its mission is to advance the highest standards of the practice of anesthesiology.

In 2006, Dr. Henry joined the UCSF faculty and has served in leadership roles, including as director of acute pain services at the Mount Zion campus and as practice management director at the UCSF Pain Management Center. 

Holding fellowship status, Dr. Henry is a Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (FASA).

In addition, she maintains active membership in various esteemed professional organizations, including the California Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and the North American Neuromodulation Society.

Her dedication to advancing the field is evident in her role in developing educational modules for pain medicine practitioners. Notably, Dr. Henry designed a continuing education module on CRPS for the California Society of Anesthesiologists. She has also gained national and international recognition as a pioneer in pain medicine treatment methods through her contributions to “Mini Medical School for the Public” on UCTV (University of California Television).

Anesthesiology is the medical specialty concerned with the total perioperative care of patients before, during, and after surgery. It encompasses anesthesia, intensive care medicine, critical emergency medicine, and pain medicine. Anesthesiologists have the primary responsibility of monitoring the patient’s vital signs during surgery. In addition to basic measurements such as pulse, blood pressure, and temperature, they measure the patient’s respiration and make critical adjustments to the anesthesia while closely communicating with the surgical team. 

Outside of practicing medicine, Dr. Henry enjoys spending time with her family and playing golf. Her favorite places to vacation are Palm Springs and Arizona. 

Learn More about Dr. Melanie M. Henry:
Through her findatopdoc profile, https://www.findatopdoc.com/doctor/1569991-Melanie-Henry-Anesthesiologist or through UCSF Health, https://www.ucsfhealth.org/providers/dr-melanie-m-henry 

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Karen Johnson

Karen Johnson is an Associate Content manager for FindaTopDoc and responsible for working with distinguished physicians in documenting their significant accomplishments in their field. Karen is a CPR instructor and is a member of her local theater group.