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Darin Goff, CRNP

Written by The Spine Institute at BB&J on . Posted in Spine Team.

Darin chose pain management because he saw how chronic pain can affect every part of a person’s life–not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and socially.

He wanted to be part of the solution to help patients regain control and joy in their daily lives and return to the things that they love.

Darin serves on the interventional pain management team of Dr. Elliott Pennington, M.D. at The Spine Institute at Baldwin Bone & Joint.

Education

  • Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner
    University of South Alabama
    Mobile, AL (2024)
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    University of South Alabama
    Mobile, AL (2021)

Certificate and Licensure

  • Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (Active): FL License #APRN11037351
  • Registered Nurse (Active): AL License #1-186161
  • BLS Provider (Active)
  • ACLS Provider (Active)
  • PALS Provider (Active)

“My approach to care is compassionate and tailored to each individual. I believe in treating the whole person—not just the pain—by understanding their goals and building a treatment plan that fits their life. I combine evidence-based techniques with a patient-centered mindset to deliver both relief and long-term results.”

Darin Goff, CRNP

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Celeste Fleming, PA-C

Celeste P. Fleming, PA-C, M. ED, MHS, MT (ASCP)

Written by The Spine Institute at BB&J on . Posted in Spine Team.

Celeste Fleming is a physician assistant with healthcare experience beginning in 1987. She has earned extensive expertise across the full continuum of care, including pre-operative evaluation, intraoperative assistance, post-operative management, and long-term follow-up.

She is recognized for a detail-oriented, analytical approach and a strong commitment to compassionate, evidence-based patient care. Celeste, known for outstanding bedside manners in high acuity clinical and surgical environments, is a proven collaborative team member with excellent communication skills and a consistent record of managing complex patient caseloads to improve outcomes.

Celeste serves on the spine team of Dr. Charles Gordon, The Spine Institute at Baldwin Bone & Joint.

Education

  • Master of Health Science
    Physician Assistant Studies
    University of South Alabama
    Mobile, Alabama (2007)

  • Master of Education
    Exercise Science/Cardiac Rehabilitation
    University of South Alabama
    Mobile, Alabama (2002)

  • Bachelor of Science
    Medical Technology, Minor: Chemistry
    University of South Alabama
    Mobile, Alabama (1987)

Celeste Fleming, PA-C

“My diverse clinical background over the years has shaped my analytical approach and deep interest in the underlying causes and progression of disease. I am committed to compassionate, patient-centered care and serve as a dedicated advocate, ensuring patients feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their recovery and long-term health.”

Celeste Fleming, PA-C

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Dr. James Hicks

James Hicks, M.D.

Written by The Spine Institute at BB&J on . Posted in Spine Team.

As a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and expert in Complex Spine surgeries and Motion Preservation, Dr. Hicks is dedicated to maintaining or restoring the spine’s natural mobility. He uses state-of-the-art techniques to prevent further degenerative changes while addressing the underlying issues causing spinal discomfort or mobility limitations.

Motion Preservation Surgery

Motion preservation surgery is an alternative to traditional spinal fusion surgery. It aims to preserve the natural movement of the spine. It involves replacing a damaged disc with an artificial one or decompressing the spinal nerves while leaving the vertebrae mobile.

About Motion Preservation Surgery

“As a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeon, I have spent my professional life focused on complex surgeries while guided by a philosophy of providing excellent, compassionate care to my patients. My goal is to ensure the optimal health and functionality of the spine utilizing the latest advancements in both non-operative and operative spine care—helping my patients get back to their previous function and quality of life, if not even better.”

James Hicks, M.D.

Education
  • B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 2013
Medical School
  • Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, 2017
Residency
  • Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 2022
Fellowship
  • Complex & Minimally Invasive Spine, Swedish Hospital,Seattle, WA, 2023
Certification and Licensure
  • Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2025
  • Washington State Medical License, 2022-Present
  • Alabama State Medical License, 2018-Present
  • Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), 2017-Present
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), 2017-Present
  • Basic Life Support (BLS), 2016-Present
Societies
  • Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • AO Spine
  • North American Spine Society

Spinal Issues Treated

  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Bulging Disc
  • Herniated Disc
  • Cervical Disc Herniation
  • Thoracic Disc Herniation
  • Lumbar Disc Herniation
  • Pinched Nerve
  • Sciatica
  • Vertebral Fracture
  • Compression Fracture
  • Scoliosis
  • Spinal Deformity
  • Other Neck and Back Conditions

Spinal Procedures

Cervical

  • Cervical Disc Arthroplasty
  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
  • Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion

Lumbar

  • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Stabilization
  • Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Interbody Fusion
  • Minimally Invasive Interbody Fusion
  • Minimally Invasive Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
  • Minimally Invasive Anterolateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion
  • Laminectomy
  • Foraminotomy
  • Microdiscectomy

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Dr. Elliot Pennington

Elliott Pennington, M.D.

Written by The Spine Institute at BB&J on . Posted in Spine Team.

As an interventional pain management specialist and board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Pennington brings a comprehensive, non-operative approach to managing chronic spinal pain. His individually tailored treatments leverage the latest advancements in interventional pain management to alleviate discomfort and improve quality of life.

Interventional Pain Management

Pain management is an aspect of medicine focused on reducing or reversing the effects of pain to improve a patient’s quality of life.

As a medical specialty, pain management can take many forms, and is often a collaborative effort between many medical specialists and a patient’s primary medical care provider.

About Interventional Pain Management

“Something that’s really exciting about pain management as a specialty is the rapid nature of how technology is changing what we can offer our patients. A huge benefit of the team here at Baldwin Bone & Joint is the integrated nature of our clinic — we work together to create a plan for each individual patient and tailor their treatment to help improve their quality of life.”

Elliott Pennington, M.D.

Education
  • B.S., University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, 2013
Medical School
  • University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL, 2018
Residency
  • Clinical Anesthesiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 2022
Fellowship
  • Interventional Pain Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 2023
Certification and Licensure
  • State of Alabama, Board-Eligible
Societies
  • American Medical Association
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists
  • American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians

Pain Management Conditions Treated

  • Sports & Work-Related Injuries of All Types
  • Acute/Chronic Low Back Pain
  • Acute/Chronic Thoracic & Neck Pain
  • Compression Fractures of the Spine & Sacrum
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Herniated or Ruptured Discs
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Sacroiliac Joint Pain
  • Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Osteoarthritis/Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Acute/Chronic Cancer-Related Pain
  • Degenerative & Arthritic Conditions of the Hip, Knee & Shoulder
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
  • Failed Back Surgical Syndrome
  • Phantom Limb Pain
  • Post-herpetic Neuralgia (Shingles)
  • Nerve Entrapment Syndromes
  • All Types of Chronic Pain Syndromes

Pain Management Treatment Solutions

  • Multi-Modal Medication Management
  • Cervical, Thoracic & Lumbar Epidural Injections
  • Selective Nerve Root Blocks
  • Nucleus Pulposus Allograft Injection (Via-Disc) for Discogenic Pain with Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Facet Joint Injections & Radiofrequency Ablations
  • Intercostal Injections & Radiofrequency Ablations
  • Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty/Sacroplasty
  • Intrathecal Pump Trials, Implants & Management
  • Sacroiliac Joint Injections & Radiofrequency Ablations
  • Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
  • Discography
  • Epidural Lysis of Adhesions
  • Spinal Cord Stimulator Trials & Implant
  • Superion Interspinous Spacer
  • Minuteman Spinal Stabilization
  • Botox Injections for Spastic Conditions like Cervical Dystonia & Contractures
  • Multi-Joint Injections
  • Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for Vertebrogenic Pain – Intracept® Procedure
  • Peripheral Nerve Injections
  • Stellate, Celiac, Lumbar & Gastric Plexus Blocks
  • Injections & Radiofrequency Denervation of the Hip & Knee
  • Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulator Trial & Implant
  • Ilioinguinal/Iliohypogastric Peripheral Nerve Block & Ablation
  • Peripheral Nerve Blocks & Ablation
  • Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Peripheral Nerve Block & Radiofrequency Ablation

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Mike Companion, PA-C

Michael Companion, OPA-C

Written by The Spine Institute at BB&J on . Posted in Spine Team.

Mike Companion has practiced as a Certified Orthopaedic Physician’s Assistant since 2005. His vast clinical and patient-care experience includes both in-office and surgical settings, specializing in adult reconstructive surgery, revision surgery, and sports medicine.

Education

  • Orthopaedic Physician’s Assistant Certification
    Columbus College
    Columbus, GA (1981)
  • Orthopaedic Physician’s Assistant Certification
    Auburn University
    Auburn, AL (1979)

Certification

  • Orthopaedic Physician Assistant-Certified, National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Physician Assistants (OPA-C)
  • Orthopaedic Technologist, National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Technologist

Licensure

  • State of Alabama

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