About Us

Dr. Richard M. Paicius, M.D.

Dr Paicius founded Newport Beach Headache and Pain in 1996. He has been named  one of “Orange County’s Best Doctors”.  Specializing in interventional pain management, he is recognized internationally for his work in spinal cord stimulation.  Having had academic positions at UCLA and UC Irvine in Anesthesiology and Pain Management, he has built a multi-disciplinary team in Newport Beach to address the varied needs of pain patients.

After graduating medical school from The University of Arizona, he completed his residency and internship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.  Dr Paicius is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology, the American Board of Pain Medicine, and earned extended qualifications by the ABA.  He has taught hundreds of physicians advanced techniques in interventional pain management.

Using a multi-disciplinary approach, Dr Paicius customizes care depending on the patient’s needs and desires.
Renee Fabrizi, PA-C

Ms. Fabrizi joined Dr. Richard Paicius at Newport Beach Headache and Pain in 2001.  She graduated Sum Cum Laude from the University of Southern California, School of Medicine in 2001.  Ms. Fabrizi is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has been practicing in the field of Pain Management since 2001.  Ms Fabrizi derives great enjoyment and satisfaction from the patient-practitioner relationship and strives to decrease her patient’s pain and increase their daily function.  As part of her “whole patient” philosophy, she uses a multidisciplinary approach when treating her patients and likes to address issues such as diet, exercise and lifestyle changes in order to get her patient s feeling their best.  A former competitive swimmer and equestrian, Ms. Fabrizi is currently passionate about surfing.  She enjoys football and spending time with her husband and son. 
Dr. Tim Sams, Ph.D.

Dr. Tim Sams is a rehabilitation and pain psychologist with 26 years experience treating pain patients.  He is the author of ABC's of Pain Relief and Treatment: Advances, Breakthroughs, and Choices.   His next book about psychological clearances for spinal cord stimulators should be available in June, 2010.  Dr. Sams has taught clinical psychology and trains medical residents and fellows in behavioral pain management as Adjunct Clinical Faculty at University of California - Irvine.  He has lectured nationwide on the role of behavioral factors in pain.  He developed the Personal Pain Paradigm Assessment, the first computer scored pain inventory that educates patients about their pain coping. 

Fay Enshaian has been a Certified Biofeedback Therapist for over twenty years.  She specializes in the treatment of chronic pain patients with subspecialties in orthopedic pain and headache.  She is a long time instructor for the Biofeedback Institute of America.  She is also a Marriage and Family Therapy intern under the supervision of Dr. Sams.
Dr. Ken Tsai, L.A.c.

Dr. Ken Tsai obtained his PhD, in Philosophy of Eastern Medicine and has been practicing Acupuncture for over 20 years.  He is well know in the World of Traditional Medicine and has been the Vice President and on the Board of Directors of the Acupuncture Medicine Association of Southern California.  Dr. Tsai treats a variety of physical and emotional issues.
Charlene Rasband, Office Manager, MA, LMT

Charlene has been with Newport Beach Headache and Pain for 3 years.  She has 7 years of medical management experience.  She is also a Medical Assistant, with 17 years of experience and a Massage Therapist, with 7 years of experience in the field.  She enjoys helping others and has found the medical field to be a rewarding career choice for this reason.  Charlene’s interests include; camping, hiking, ocean kayaking, martial arts, outdoor activities, sports and spending time with family, friends, and her German Shepherd.

Karen Michele Russell-Hagler, CCMA-A C

Karen-Michele has been a Certified Medical Assistant for 10 years.  She has been with Newport Beach Headache and Pain for the past 8 years.  She enjoys the challenge of the diverse pain issues patients present with and helping the doctors to facilitate the best care to resolve them.  Her hobbies include inspirational art and poetry, beachcombing, kayaking and playing with her dwarf rabbit.

Angela Hober, N.C.M.A.

Angela has been a Certified Medical Assistant for the past 10 years.  She has a background working in Radiology and Family Medicine.  She has been with Newport Beach Headache & Pain for the past three and a half years.  She enjoys working in the field of pain management and continues to enjoy the learning process.  She finds it rewarding, getting to know patients and their families.  She resides in Huntington Beach with her fiancé and 8 year old daughter.  She enjoys surfing, the theater and going to the movies.  She is the assistant coach for her daughter's softball team.

Amber Stavros, Business Development

Amber has been with Newport Beach Headache and Pain for 3 years and has served in several positions giving her a great knowledge of how the office operates and what our goals are, as medical care providers.  She currently serves as head of Business Development; educating Physicians and the public on the benefits of therapies that we can offer, as a Pain Management practice.  Amber currently lives in Irvine with her husband Andy and their 2 dogs and a cat Bogy, Vinny and Jersey.  She enjoys playing volleyball, snowboarding, going to the movies and loves Taco Tuesdays!