Enterprising Woman

C. Ann Conn, MD
Every Day Is An Adventure

By Francie Unger

“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.” —William Feather

This William Feather quote pretty much sums up Dr. Ann Conn’s view of her everyday life. Whether she’s performing spinal cord stimulation or enjoying one of her annual trips to exotic locales like Bhutan, to simply preparing a delectable gumbo for her two boys, Ann’s life is all about the adventure.

“For me, living life to its fullest is experiencing everything completely, in the moment, as it occurs,” Ann said.

Finding her passion in life—her work—may be one of the reasons for her sense of fulfillment. Ann loves her work as a physician in Interventional Pain Management. “The ability to be able to help patients find relief from their pain and discomfort is such a rewarding experience,” Ann said. “The intimate patient contact and the relationships formed are my favorite part of being a physician.”

The interesting thing about Ann is that she did not establish the path to becoming a doctor until much later in life. As a child, she enjoyed ballet, loved to read and was fascinated with the field of archaeology. In fact, her favorite magazine was National Geographic. Her interests in college took her in yet a different direction and she graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) in chemical engineering.

Ann’s life adventure took many twists and turns after college, including marriage and the births of her two boys, Austin (now 21) and Colin (now 18). After staying home for nine years to take care of her boys, Ann’s life took yet another spectacular turn with Ann’s decision to go to medical school. By then, at age 32, she was raising two boys ages nine and six. “This was probably the craziest, yet best decision I ever made,” Ann said. “My choice to begin my medical career later in life, as a more mature individual, resulted in my ability to make better, more informed decisions concerning my medical career path.”

Today, Ann is tripled board certified in Neurology, Pain Management and Headache Medicine. It is one of the things that makes her truly unique in her field—as few physicians who practice interventional pain management are also board certified in neurology. As a doctor, her listening skills and the ability to analyze each situation to make diagnostic and treatment hypothesis are her greatest strengths. Another interesting fact—Ann was one of the first Neurologists to receive accreditation in the then relatively new field of pain management.

Some of the pain management technology and procedures Ann is most excited about today include: spinal cord stimulation, which is a lot like placing a pacemaker on the spinal cord, turning debilitating pain sensations into more of a tingling sensation; radio frequency ablation, which stops nerves from delivering pain sensation; and nonsurgical vertebroplasty, which is an effective pain treatment for spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis.  “If there is one thing I think people should know about interventional pain management is that for the majority of people who suffer from pain and discomfort, we can help.” Ann said. “There is hope for everyone.”

Life’s everyday adventure as a physician is only the beginning for Ann Conn. Ann is an avid traveler who makes at least one exotic trip a year. Last year she traveled to the Kingdom of Bhutan in South Asia, where she hiked over 1500 vertical feet to reach the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which hangs precariously on a cliff 10,200 feet and some 2,300 feet above the bottom of the Paro valley. Another of her favorite travel adventures was a recent family reunion in Costa Rica. Her top five destinations for future travel include; Machu Picchu, Peru; New Zealand; Budapest; Scotland and Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast.

Though very proud of all she has accomplished, Ann’s favorite has been raising her two boys. Austin, a student studying finance at LSU, is currently enjoying summer school in Austria. Her youngest, Colin, who just graduated from Mandeville High School, is looking forward to beginning his college career as a preferred walk-on for the LSU football team. “One of the most important things I have learned from my children is unconditional love,” Ann said. “I have always been astounded by their resiliency and the pleasure they take out of life.”

As for her hobbies, Ann enjoys yoga, reading and cooking. Though she is a great cook, Ann is quick to point out that her mother is an incredible cook. “I learned to cook from my mother beginning at the age of 10,” Ann said. “My son Colin also enjoys cooking, so it’s been fun to pass on what I have learned to him.”

Keren Ann’s quote, “Everything is temporary,” is one of Ann Conn’s favorites. It applies to so much in life, both good and bad. It is what makes life an adventure. Another favorite is by Joseph Campbell, “Follow your bliss and doors will open where there were no doors before.”

C. Ann Conn, MD is a doctor of Interventional Pain Management with Premier Pain Center, located at 7015 Hwy. 190 E. Service Road, Suite 101 in Covington. She can be reached at 985-809-1997. For more information, visit their website, www.alparr.com.