Southern Utah native Dr. Nate Clements returns to Desert Pain to serve the community that raised him

Stock image | Photo by Wasan Tita/iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Dr. Nate Clements, the newest interventional pain management physician at Desert Pain Specialists, is returning home to provide the highest level of care to the people of Southern Utah and Nevada.

A treatment room with a view at Desert Pain Specialists, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Jeff Hauck courtesy of Desert Pain Specialists, St. George News

“I’m excited for the opportunity to help people improve their lives,” he said. “I just want to give back to the community that raised me and put me on the pathway to accomplish my goals.” 

Clements was born and raised in St. George. His father worked as a pharmacist in the community for many years and built enduring relationships with both patients and physicians. 

Clements talked about wanting to become a doctor from the time he was a young child. He was introduced to the field of pain management in high school when Dr. Dale Stott, who also coached him in football at Pine View, offered him a job. 

Before starting medical school, he worked at Desert Pain as a medical assistant to Dr. Court Empey and Dr. Spencer Wells, where he observed the high level of care they provided patients. These early experiences shaped his outlook on practicing medicine as he continued his education and training. 

Clements met his future wife, Washington City native Lindsi Sandberg, at Pine View High School. They’ve been married for 14 years and have four children. When he’s not practicing medicine, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and playing sports including basketball, football and pickleball. One of his greatest passions is volunteering with youth and providing career mentorship, which he looks forward to continuing when he returns to St. George. 

Interventional pain management physician Dr. Nate Clements, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of Desert Pain Specialists, St. George News

Southern Utah is a tight-knit community with a lot of history, Clements said, adding that he loves its people. Growing up, he found many role models within the community who helped lay the foundation for his success in life, whether through coaching, teaching or mentorship. 

Clements earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and zoology from Southern Utah University prior to attending the University of Utah School of Medicine. In medical school, he was selected into the Gold Humanism Honors Society and received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award.

He then completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he was awarded Most Outstanding Resident and served as chief resident.  

Clements will finish fellowship training in pain medicine and interventional spine care this summer and is scheduled to start seeing patients at Desert Pain this month. He takes special interest in regenerative medicine and neuromodulation therapies, as well as treating pain resulting from devastating neurological injuries like brain or spinal cord trauma. 

“Pain medicine is a rapidly progressing field,” he said. “Coming fresh out of training, where I’ve had exposure to a lot of new interventions, I think it’s a unique opportunity to bring some of those treatments to St. George and be another resource for patients.”

During medical school and residency, Clements actively participated in research and has published many articles in peer-reviewed journals. He also contributed to book chapters on the treatment of pain in the spine and peripheral joints. He’s drawn to the complexities of interventional pain management and never backs down from a challenge. 

“Patients in a lot of pain sometimes have trouble finding someone who’ll really listen to them and work with them to develop a comprehensive treatment plan,” he said. “Throughout my training, I was drawn to those difficult cases.” 

A welcome waiting room greets guests at Desert Pain Specialists, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Jeff Hauck courtesy of Desert Pain Specialists, St. George News

Everyone responds to pain in a different way, Clements said. If someone’s pain isn’t being properly managed, it makes a tremendous impact on their quality of life. He strives to develop treatment plans that incorporate the patient’s individual desires to help push them toward their goals. 

For many, those goals include exploring Southern Utah’s beautiful red rock wilderness with less pain and greater mobility.  

“I love the opportunity to treat a patient population that enjoys the outdoors and wants to be active,” he said. “My goal is to help them achieve that.”  

As Southern Utah’s premier interventional pain management team, Desert Pain practices evidence-based, forward-thinking medicine that integrates the newest available treatments. They address all types of chronic and acute pain conditions, including back pain, neck pain, sciatica, neuropathy, migraines and sports injuries.

Call 435-216-7000 or visit the Desert Pain website to schedule an appointment today.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

• S P O N S O R E D   C O N T E N T • 

Resources

  • Desert Pain Specialists | Telephone: 435-216-7000 | Email: contact@desertpainspecialists.com | Website.
  • Locations:
    • St. George: 617 E. Riverside Drive, Suite 301.
    • Hurricane: 48 S. 2500 West, Suite 110.
    • Cedar City: 1760 N. Main St.
    • Beaver: 68 N. Main St.
    • Panguitch: 200 N. 400 East.
    • Kanab: 348 N. 300 West.
    • Delta: 126 White Sage Ave.
    • Fillmore: 65 N. Main St.
    • Mesquite, Nevada: 340 Falcon Ridge Parkway, Suite 600.
    • Overton, Nevada: 475 N. Moapa Valley Blvd.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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