Physician Profiles
Vivek Mahendru, M.D.
Medical Director
Dr. Mahendru was the first fellowship trained pain management
physician [CA-4] in Austin. He completed multiple fellowships in pain therapy at Roswell Park Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, and Texas Tech University. Dr. Mahendru is often requested to publish articles in medical journals and lecture at national events, his work and dedication is widely recognized.
His qualifications include:
• Starting the first pain fellowship fund at Harvard Medical School
• Past-secretary of the National Anesthesia Residents Section
• Pioneering the first national Residents Section in pain management
• Former consultant to the Texas State Medical Board.
Dr. Mahendru enjoys spending time with his wife and three beautiful children. In his spare time he enjoys riding horses and playing tennis.
Chris Vije, M.D.
Fellowship Trained Pain Management
Board Certified Anesthesiologist
Diplomat American Board of Anesthesiology
Originally from Texas, Chris Vije, M.D. earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He then completed his anesthesiology residency at the University of Pennsylvania. He stayed in Philadelphia to subsequently complete his pain medicine fellowship also at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Vije has given presentations, lectures, and published book chapters and scientific articles in the field of pain management. He particularly enjoys challenging neuropathic pain conditions and creating positive outcomes in his patients’ lives. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, college football, traveling and outdoor activities. He is looking forward to returning to Texas and enjoying Austin’s friendly atmosphere.
Dawn Pease, APN, MSN, APRN-BC, RNC
Nurse Practitioner
Dawn graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with her Bachelors degree, and later completed her Advanced Practice Nursing training and Master of Science in Nursing at Yale School of Nursing in 2002. She holds board certifications in both Adult Primary Care and Women's Health Practice. Prior to her most recent move to Texas, Dawn practiced Adult Internal Medicine in Connecticut. She chooses now to specialize in pain management because she finds it rewarding to help patients in pain find relief of their symptoms and thereby improve their quality of life.
In her spare time, Dawn enjoys running at Town Lake, hiking the Greenbelt, and playing Scrabble.
Michelle Newkamp
Clinical Manager
Michelle Newkamp joined The Central Texas Pain Institute in 1997. Michelle completed her medical training at Allied Health Career and is a nationally certified Medical Assistant, Office Assistant, and Phlebotomist. After completing her medical training, Michelle returned to Allied Health Careers to teach Medical Assisting. She has worked with other Medical Assisting programs in Austin to develop their program curriculum, as well as sat on their governing boards. Michelle has attended 3 years at Austin Community College in their early child development program. Michelle enjoys educating people about pain management and how to reach optimal pain relief.
Michelle is the mother of two and has a beautiful granddaughter. She enjoys hiking, horseback riding and spending time with her family.
Catherine Randolph
Practice Administrator
Catherine Randolph is a native New Yorker who has lived in Texas since 1985. Over the last 20-plus years, she has been in healthcare management for both large and small specialty groups, including internal medicine, neurology, infectious disease, pulmonary, cardiology and rheumatology. Prior to coming to Medical Management Solutions in 2006, she spent eleven years managing Austin's oldest and largest internal medicine practice. Catherine surrounds herself with multi-talented people and is actively involved in the healthcare community. She is a member of the Texas Medical Group Association (TMGMA) and the national Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) as well as the local group chapter. Her husband Andrew Teekell is a musician and wine professional and her daughter Christine is an engineer, living in Atlanta.
Catherine is very close to her family and enjoys traveling, gardening, and collecting art.