Medical Service Team

Dr. Moeller-Bertram is our Chief Medical Officer, and joined us from Coastal Pain and Spinal Diagnostics in the San Diego area. Prior to going into private practice, Dr. Moeller-Bertram held an appointment as associate clinical professor of anesthesiology and psychiatry and as the director of clinical pain research at the University of California San Diego. He is double-board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management. After finishing his medical school in Hamburg, Germany and defending his doctoral thesis about the effects of oxidative stress, he moved to the USA for his clinical training. He completed his anesthesia residency at UCSD and was given the honor to serve as chief resident. He received his education in multi-disciplinary pain management, including intensive training in all invasive aspects of alleviating pain, at UC San Francisco, which ranks among the best pain departments in the world. Dr. Moeller-Bertram returned to San Diego 2005 as an assistant clinical professor and also enrolled in a masters program for clinical research. He joined the VA San Diego Healthcare System and established his pain clinic there serving the Veteran population. These humbling and rewarding years of serving Veterans profoundly impacted his career and shaped his research efforts. Besides keeping a busy practice, he conducted many experiments to better understand the effects of stress on pain perception. His areas of expertise include PTSD and fibromyalgia and he received funding and support from sources including the “Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research”, the ‘Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health” and industry leaders. During his years at UCSD and the VA, he served as the director for clinical pain research at UCSD, published numerous papers and book chapters and presented his work at many national and international conferences as guest lecturer or visiting professor. Dr. Moeller-Bertram is an associate clinical professor (voluntary) with the University of California Riverside School of Medicine.  Clinical Research Publications by Dr. Tobias Moeller-Bertram

Dr. Tim Leier is our Medical Director. Dr. Leier is board-certified in orthopedic and trauma surgery in Germany, and triple board-certified in pain management, sports medicine and pediatrics in the United States. His pain management strategies combine all non-operative approaches – from detailed functional rehabilitation and acupuncture, to ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided, minimally-invasive procedures, such as epidural steroid injections and radiofrequency ablation.

Dr. Leier is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and German Sports Medicine Association. He is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Seaton Hall University and received a Ph.D. for his research work on the effect of minimal invasive shock-wave therapy on chronic pain conditions of the musculoskeletal system. He has published and presented exclusively in the field of Pain Management and Orthopedics at national and international meetings. He completed Sports Medicine training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, Pain Management training at Harvard Medical School and Acupuncture training at Stanford University.

He brings a unique approach to patient care by combining his extensive work experience as an orthopedist in Germany with the latest non-surgical and minimally invasive treatment approaches in the US. Dr. Leier has a particular interest in functional treatment and rehabilitation of conditions of the invasive interventions for neck, back and arthritic pain musculoskeletal system with a special focus on minimally conditions.

Harrier Cagatay is a nationally certified Physician Assistant with 14+ years of experience. She completed a dual Master’s Degree in Health Sciences and PA Certification program at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, which is ranked 5th amongst the nation’s best PA programs. She dedicated 10 of her 14 years in practice to successfully managing the health and wellness of our veterans at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System. During her time at the VA she also served as the Clinical Coordinator of VA Outreach events and was a Board Member on the PA Professional Standards Board. Her approach to care is patient-centered and whole person care, as she strives to ensure that all aspects of a patient’s pain are discussed and addressed. She is trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and is currently receiving training in Clinical Homeopathy in order to be able to offer patients additional tools or alternative treatment modalities to live a better quality of life.

Harrier is a member of the California Academy of Physician Assistants and IMPAA (Integrative Medicine PA Association). In her free time she enjoys the great California outdoors, volunteering with local and international relief efforts, reading and spending quality time with family.

Jaime A. Zeledon is a registered nurse and board-certified family nurse practitioner.  He has more than a decade of clinical experience, including 13 years in psychiatric hospital settings in Los Angeles County.

He began his medical education and training in his native Nicaragua, where he was accepted into medical school at the age of 17.  Following the first year of medical school, Jaime enlisted in the Nicaraguan army and served as a medic for two years before moving to the United States.

Jaime holds a bachelor’s degree in science nursing and a master’s degree in science nursing and family nurse practitioner, both from the University of Phoenix.  He is pursuing a doctorate in family nurse practitioner at Grand Canyon University.

Jaime is a member of the California Association of Nurse Practitioners.  He is fluent in English and Spanish.