Chelsea Simon

Chelsea Simon is leading the successful growth of Advanced Pain Care through her dedication and exceptional leadership skills. As a goal-oriented and compassionate individual, Chelsea has tirelessly worked to fulfill her ambition of becoming a Chief Operating Officer (COO) of a clinic or hospital before the age of 30. Her hard work and commitment have resulted in the effective management of operations across 13 clinic locations and three surgery centers.

Established in January 2003, Advanced Pain Care is a multidisciplinary practice offering a comprehensive range of services, including Pain Management, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Rheumatology, Neurology, Addictionology, and Behavioral Health. The clinic’s primary focus is to treat patients and their pain holistically, ensuring they receive the best possible care. Advanced Pain Care is renowned for its expertise in a minimally invasive procedure called spinal cord stimulation, which has provided outstanding results and numerous success stories. Dr. Mark Malone, the clinic’s CEO and founder, is himself a former pain patient who made a full recovery through spinal cord stimulation. To facilitate a comfortable environment and quick recovery at home, Advanced Pain Care performs surgeries and procedures at Ambulatory Surgery Centers.

Chelsea’s journey in the healthcare industry began at the age of 15, where she identified areas for process improvement and went above and beyond to assist. Throughout her youth, she underwent eight surgeries in a year, spending significant time within the hospital and clinic system. These experiences highlighted the shortcomings in the systems that were failing patients. Motivated to make a difference and help those in pain, Chelsea set her sights on advancing in the industry. She gained valuable experience in various clinic positions, pursued multiple certifications to expand her knowledge, and obtained a Master’s in Business Administration with a minor in Healthcare Administration.

At Advanced Pain Care, creating a family-like atmosphere for each patient is a top priority. The clinic welcomes patients from all backgrounds, and there is no stereotypical pain patient. Exceptional service is the norm at Advanced Pain Care, ensuring patients feel heard, cared for, and supported throughout their treatment journey. Trust-building and open communication are core values that drive the clinic’s commitment to patient care.

Chelsea describes the team at Advanced Pain Care as an incredible group of determined, supportive, and motivated colleagues. She expresses gratitude for their dedication, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to patients’ well-being. The clinic fosters a culture of family, encouraging team members to share personal aspects of their lives and participate in team-building activities. Giving back to the community is also an integral part of the clinic’s ethos.

Operating in the pain management and healthcare industries comes with numerous challenges, and Advanced Pain Care has faced its fair share. As the company has grown, challenges related to protocols and processes have emerged. However, the clinic’s unwavering focus on providing the best and safest patient care has allowed them to overcome these obstacles. Rapid growth has posed particular challenges, requiring the clinic to quickly scale its operations from 10 to 26 physicians and adequately staff each location.

Chelsea attributes her success not only to her determined nature but also to the support of her family. Her husband, Brad, has been a constant pillar of support, assisting at home and offering unwavering emotional encouragement. Chelsea recognizes that reaching her current position would have been significantly more challenging without his help.

In the demanding healthcare environment, it is all too easy for companies to overlook the fact that staff members and patients are more than mere numbers. Chelsea firmly believes in taking the time to genuinely engage with each team member, providing support and fostering a sense of involvement. This approach ensures that staff members feel valued and motivated, while patients receive the personalized care they deserve. Chelsea encourages all healthcare professionals to embrace a close-knit approach and prioritize meaningful connections.

Chelsea’s typical day begins early, with a 5 am wake up call. After preparing herself and her daughter, Jade, for the day, Chelsea embarks on her workday. Depending on the day of the week, she may engage in administrative meetings or actively participate on the clinic floor, working closely with the staff. As the COO, Chelsea believes it is crucial to be present and accessible, understanding the challenges and needs of both the clinic and the patients. After work, she picks up Jade from school and accompanies her to gymnastics practice, where Jade trains with her team for two hours. During Jade’s practice, Chelsea seizes the opportunity to fit in an hour-long workout at the gym. Once the activities are complete, they head home, typically arriving around 8:30 pm. After enjoying dinner together, it’s time to rest and recharge for the next day.

The commitment to excellence and patient care at Advanced Pain Care has not gone unnoticed. The clinic has been recognized for its outstanding company culture, ranking in the top three for Best Company Culture by the Austin American Statesman. Additionally, Advanced Orthopedics, a part of the Advanced Pain Care network, has achieved a top-five ranking for Best Orthopedics group by the same publication. Many physicians from Advanced Pain Care have also received accolades, including the prestigious Top Doctor award from Austin Monthly Magazine. Notable recipients include Dr. Glenn Harper (2020 & 2021, Neurosurgery), Dr. JM Paterno (2020, Pain Management), and Dr. Mark Malone (Top Doctor of the Week, Pain Management).

Inspired by the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi, who once said, “A sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have, but how many leaders you create,” Chelsea Simon is committed to empowering and uplifting fellow female entrepreneurs. She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to work diligently, giving their all and never expecting success to be handed to them. Chelsea recognizes the incredible strength possessed by female entrepreneurs and emphasizes the importance of remaining steadfast, even in the face of adversity. She urges them to remember their worth and origins whenever they feel the urge to give up.

Looking ahead to the future, Advanced Pain Care has exciting plans for 2022. The clinic intends to expand its Killeen and Waco locations while opening new surgery centers. Additionally, Advanced Pain Care has several satellite clinics in the works, scheduled to open in 2022. The clinic’s commitment to providing accessible and comprehensive care continues to drive its growth, with the addition of two new pharmacies on the horizon.

Chelsea Simon’s dedication, leadership, and compassionate approach have propelled Advanced Pain Care to success. Through her vision and hard work, she has transformed the clinic into a thriving healthcare organization that prioritizes patient well-being. As Chelsea continues to lead the way, she inspires others in the industry to prioritize meaningful connections, foster a supportive culture, and strive for excellence in patient care.