Leadership
Dr. Krishnan Chakravarthy, MD, PhD, is an interventional pain and spine surgeon. He shares a deep passion in expanding access to healthcare and patient education. He believes, which is also the mission of the Empower You Foundation, that without investing in patient access, advocacy, community, and education no great changes can be made to patient health. Dr. Chakravarthy also serves as President and Founder of the Coastal Research Institute in San Diego, California. He is an affiliate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, and Affiliate Professor in the Department of Nanoengineering at UCSD Health and VA San Diego Healthcare. His research work has been featured in national and international venues and has been published in top journals, including Anesthesiology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, and Pain. He has won numerous national and international awards for his clinical and research work, most notable include the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience Young Innovator Award. He is considered an international thought leader in the pain space and serves on the advisory board of several major companies as well as editorial board of several national and international journals
Dr. Krishnan Chakravarthy. MD PhD Chairman and Founder
Dr. Lee was fellowship trained in Interventional Spine at The Orthopedic Clinic Association (TOCA), completed his residency training at the State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate and is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Lee holds over a decades worth of experience in the interventional spine and pain treatment and remains an active member in multiple medical organizations including the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AAPMR), Orange County Medical Association, Spine Interventional Society (SIS) and North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS). He presently serves as Chair of the AAPMR Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee. He is a Board Member for the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) and Pacific Spine and Pain Society (PSPS); and is a member of the Credentialing Committee for the American Board of Pain Medicine. Lee specializes in non-surgical treatment of both neck and back pain and his passion lies in new and innovative pain therapies for his patient.
Dr. David Lee, M.D. Director of Physician Engagement
Dr. Kannan, a triple board-certified Medical Oncologist and Hematologist, exemplifies a fervent dedication to the principles of evidence-based medicine. Her commitment extends beyond the realm of clinical practice, as she endeavors to empower patients by providing comprehensive education on their treatment options while meticulously tailoring their care to align with their personal values and life goals. Recognizing the global imperative of knowledge dissemination in the healthcare domain, Dr. Kannan has pioneered the establishment of an educational platform known as "Global Cancer Connect." Her contributions to the field have been showcased through publications at renowned institutions such as ASCO (the American Society of Clinical Oncology) and ASH (the American Society of Hematology). Her exemplary work has earned her an array of accolades, including the esteemed "Best In California 2023" award, in recognition of her contributions to the welfare of cancer patients in the Golden State. Partnering with EMPOWER YOU FOUNDATION, she hopes to bridge knowledge gaps in this field of cancer care by increasing engagement of conversation around cancer pain.
Dr Kavya Kannan, M.D. Director of Cancer Care