Robert Corba, DO

How did you become interested in medicine?

I had an affinity for the sciences as a student. It naturally followed as my studies advanced. I also volunteered as a middle school/high school student in the local ER, which provided me with exposure to people who were very passionate about medicine.

When did you decide to specialize in pain management?

 Towards the middle to end of my anesthesia residency, I began to appreciate the technical skills of blocks and procedures that I had learned in residency and how it combined and meshed nicely with the musculoskeletal treatment of spine disorders. As an Osteopath, treating underlying musculoskeletal disorders with the interventional therapy that I learned in residency came together nicely.

What are common conditions you treat? Is there anything patients can do to avoid developing their conditions?

Mostly spine conditions, back pain, sciatica, and herniated discs.

What do you like best about working with your patients?

Watching their function improve and their return to active lifestyle.

What do you like best about working for OAA?

The utility of how we do things. Having all the subspecialties in one area allows for me to have immediate consultation with any number of facets that are available for a patients care. I can walk out the door of room and immediately talk to spine a surgeon, a physiatrist, chiropractor or a patient's occupational medicine doctor. If I want to discuss a patient's physical therapy it's a walk down the hallway.

Where are you from, originally, and how did you come to live in the Lehigh Valley?

Originally from Wilkes-Barre, and to be closer to family.

If you were not a pain management physician, what would you be doing?

I am sure there were a lot of opportunities for me in Anesthesia, either OB or Neuro but if I were not in medicine I would be teaching somewhere.

How do you apply your experience as a pain management physician to the rest of your life?

At times the road may seem very rough, the hill very steep. There may be times when you can make great advancements but when you get set back, don't quit, hard work and every small step forward is a step forward and an advancement.

Of what achievements are you especially proud?

My family and the amount of wonderful friends I have made since moving to the valley. There are numerous personal achievements that I am proud of, but I get more enjoyment out of watching success in others that I help.