meet the team

Dr. Gongaware is post-doctorate certified as a Primary Spine Practitioner (PSP) by the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Gongaware helped develop this certification program while serving as an Adjunct Professor and Clinical Research Associate for the Department of Physical Therapy. Primary spine care is defined as, “care provided by practitioners specifically trained-for and skilled-in comprehensive first contact and continuing care for persons with any undiagnosed sign, symptom or health concern involving the spine”. The Primary Spine Practitioner (PSP) is specifically trained to diagnose and manage the majority of patients with spine-related disorders (SRDs), or, refer the minority of those patients that may require special tests and more invasive procedures, such as MRIs or surgical consults. Additionally, as a PSP, Dr. Gongaware functions as the best resource for traditional Primary Care Providers (PCPs) to refer patients that present to their office with SRDs. For more information regarding the Primary Spine Practitioner, please click here.