Skip to main content
Thomas Pontinen, MD, Anesthesiology, Chicago, IL

ThomasPontinenMDLCP-C

Anesthesiology • Chicago, IL

Ambulatory Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, Pediatric Pain Medicine, Regional Anesthesiology

Physician/Owner/Cofounder: MAPS Centers for Pain Control

Join to view full profile

Dr. Pontinen is on Doximity

As a Doximity member you'll join over two million verified healthcare professionals in a private, secure network.

  • Gain access to free telehealth tools, such as our “call shielding” and one-way patient texting.
  • Connect with colleagues in the same hospital or clinic.
  • Read the latest clinical news, personalized to your specialty.

See Dr. Pontinen's full profile

Already have an account?

  • Office

    2923 N California Ave.
    Suite 210
    Chicago, IL 60618
    Phone+1 773-482-5800
    Fax+1 773-767-9604

Summary

  • Thomas Pontinen is a double-board certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine specialist, and co-founder of MAPS Centers For Pain Control. In addition to training under some of the nation’s top experts in anesthesiology and pain medicine, he has also undergone formal training as a resident in general surgery, which allows him to perform the most innovative procedures in pain medicine safely and skillfully. Dr. Pontinen has published multiple journal articles, written textbook chapters, and has presented at international conferences in the fields of surgery, anesthesiology, and pain medicine. His research on chronic wound pain was featured in Pain Medicine News, the nation’s top source of information in the field of pain medicine for healthcare professionals. He has also received multiple awards from organizations such as US News & World report and WebMD as a top provider in his field. Aside from his research, he is a compassionate physician who works daily to help his patients regain their lives and get back to doing the activities they love. He is passionate about treating the most complex pain cases in a comprehensive, integrative, and holistic approach, combining multiple treatment modalities with the most innovative, minimally invasive procedures. He also is a certified life care planner (LCP-C) which allows him to help patients more effectively with a catastrophic injury or illness and project future medical and non-medical needs. Dr. Pontinen also volunteers with various international organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, the world’s largest and most important health care related volunteer organization. Through them, he can travel to the most unstable parts of the world, providing medical care to those most in need. He is also an avid snowboarder, mountaineer, skydiver, scuba diver, motorcyclist, and drummer.

Education & Training

  • University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago
    University of Illinois College of Medicine at ChicagoFellowship, Pain Medicine, 2013 - 2014
  • University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago
    University of Illinois College of Medicine at ChicagoResidency, Anesthesiology, 2010 - 2013
  • Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
    Albert Einstein Healthcare NetworkResidency, Surgery, 2008 - 2010
  • University of Minnesota Medical School
    University of Minnesota Medical SchoolClass of 2008
  • University of St. Thomas - Minnesota
    University of St. Thomas - MinnesotaB.A., Business Management and Advertising, Magna Cum Laude, 1998 - 2003

Certifications & Licensure

  • IL State Medical License
    IL State Medical License 2011 - 2026
  • PA State Medical License
    PA State Medical License 2008 - 2010
  • American Board of Anesthesiology Anesthesiology
  • American Board of Anesthesiology Pain Medicine

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • Dean's Scholarship University of Minnesota Medical School, 2004

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • Cutaneous Metastases of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Following Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature  
    Pontinen T, et al., Experimental and Clinical Transplantation, 12/1/2010
  • Horseshoe Kidneys: An Underutilized Resource In Kidney Transplantation  
    Pontinen T, et al., Experimental and Clinical Transplantation, The State of the Art Winter Symposium For The American Society of Transplant Surgeons, 3/1/2010
  • Intraobserver and Interobserver Reliability of The Kneeling Technique of Stress Radiography For The Evaluation of Posterior Knee Laxity  
    Jackman T, LaPrade R, Pontinen T, The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 8/1/2008

Books/Book Chapters

  • A Case Approach to Perioperative Drug-Drug Interactions 
    Chapter: When The Fire Won’t Go Out Pomegranate Juice, Sildenafil, CYP3A4 
    Thomas PontinenSpringer2015
  • A Case Approach to Perioperative Drug-Drug Interactions 
    Chapter: When The Fire Won't Go Out: Pomegranate Juice, Sildenafil, CYP3A4 
    Pontinen T, Dull REditors: Marcucci C, Hutchens M, Wittwer E, et al..Springer2014

Abstracts/Posters

  • Cutaneous Metastases of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Following Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
    Pontinen T, et al., The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 10/1/2009

Lectures

  • The Case of The Migrated Lead 
    Las Vegas, NV - 1/1/2013
  • Treatment For PDPH In A Postpartum Female Status Post Back Surgery, Should Caudal Epidural Blood Patch Be The First Choice? 
    Phoenix, AZ - 1/1/2013
  • Ventricular Growth of Pediatric Patients With Congenital Hypoplastic Ventricles Following Closure Via The Foker Technique 
    Sao Paulo, Brazil - 1/1/2005

Press Mentions

  • Thomas Pontinen, MD, Is Recognized by Continental Who's Who
    Thomas Pontinen, MD, Is Recognized by Continental Who's WhoMarch 31st, 2022
  • Walking Can Help People with Lower Back Pain. Here's How
    Walking Can Help People with Lower Back Pain. Here's HowJune 25th, 2024

Research History

  • Principal Investigator multiple FDA trialsPrincipal investigator with Healthcare Research Network, Flossmoor, IL carrying out both procedures and overseeing results for multiple FDA trials for both oral and injectable medications.2016 - Present

Dr. Thomas Pontinen, Dr. Thomas Pontinen, MD, Dr. T Pontinen