About
Interventional Spine Care and Nonsurgical Treatment
My overarching goal is to get people back doing the thing they love to do — whatever it is.
I am board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and recently completed an interventional pain medicine fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I treat people with a variety of pain complaints but with an interventional approach. My goal is to offer a range of procedures that can get patients feeling better.
It is very gratifying to be able to help patients overcome a painful condition. When seeing patients, my goal is to evaluate what is causing their discomfort and figure out a way to help. This involves a history and physical exam and can often mean obtaining imaging to establish a diagnosis. From there we will review the treatment options available, and after that my role is to empower my patient to make the right choice for their own care.
Image-Guided Injections and Interventional Spine Procedures
I specialize in minimally invasive, image-guided injections and interventional procedures designed to address spine and joint conditions and the symptoms they can cause. I am trained to perform procedures under either fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance, depending on the patient’s specific case.
Among the most common treatments I offer are steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, basivertebral nerve ablation, peripheral nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, neuromodulation, kyphoplasty, and platelet-rich plasma injections.
A Patient-Centered Approach to Spine Care
My approach starts with understanding my patient’s goals. What is it that they want to be doing that pain is preventing them from doing? We start by identifying what it is that they want to be doing with their life, and then we go forward from there to formulate treatment options.
Pain is a complicated process, and there can be a lot of different factors that are contributing to someone’s pain. Healthcare is a team sport, and my approach to care is to include the patient as a part of that team.
Get to Know Dr. Sierra McLean
I’m originally from Salt Lake City, and I’m married with a dog and a cat. In my free time, I like to spend time biking, hiking, skiing, running, and reading.
I’m a big sports person. I grew up playing soccer, so I follow a lot of sports. I’ve also had my share of injuries, and those experiences gave me the ability to empathize with patients. I really do understand what it feels like to have pain that prevents you from doing what you love. Helping patients reclaim those activities brings me a lot of joy in my practice.
Specialties
Specialties
Locations
My Team
Additional Information About Dr. Kersten LW Schwanz
Education, Memberships, & Awards
Education
Fellowship
Pain Medicine (ACGME), Department of Anesthesiology: 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN
Residency
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: 6/21/2021- 6/23/2025
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Chief Resident 2024-2025
Medical School
University of Utah School of Medicine
Salt Lake City, UT
Doctor of Medicine – 5/2021
Undergraduate Studies
University of Oxford
Oxford, England
International Relations, Classic Literature
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Minors in Chemistry and International Studies
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Pain Medicine
- American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine
- American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- International Pain and Spine Interventional Society
- American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
Awards & Honors
- Resident Team Player – University of North Carolina – 2025
- Resident Teaching Award – University of North Carolina – 2025
- Top Poster Finalist – Association of Academic Physiatrists – 2025
- Resident Teaching Award – University of North Carolina – 2024
- Janice Robyn Zito Scholarship – University of Utah – 2020
- Dr. Richard E. Hurley Scholarship – University of Utah – 2019
- Dr. D. Keith Barnes and Ida May Barnes Scholarship – University of Utah – 2018
- Marriner S. Eccles Scholarship – University of Utah -2017
- Dean’s List – University of Utah -2010-2015
- Honors at Entrance Scholarship – University of Utah – 2010
Certifications
Research & Publications
Manuscripts
- Baratta JM, McLean SR, Senthil A, Patel A, Lewek MD (2025) Characterization of lower extremity pain in ambulatory individuals after stroke. Submitted to Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
- Hooper GA, Klippel CJ, McLean SR, Stenehjem EA, Webb BJ, Murnin ER, Hough CL, Bledsoe JR, Brown SM, Peltan ID (2023) Concordance between initial presumptive and final adjudicated diagnoses of infection among patients meeting sepsis-3 criteria in the emergency department. Published in Clinical Infectious Disease. PMID: 36806551
- Peltan ID, McLean SR, Murnin ER, Stenehjem EA, Webb BJ, Bledsoe JR, Brown SM, Hough CL (2022) Agreement of initial and final infection diagnosis among ED patients meeting sepsis criteria. Published in Critical Care Medicine 2022 DOI: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000811928.33171.cb
- Peltan ID, McLean SR, Murnin ER, Butler AM, Wilson EL, Samore MM, Hough CL, Dean NC, Bledsoe JR, Brown SM (2022) Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of emergency department discharge among patients with sepsis. Published JAMA. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.47882
- McCrary HC, McLean SR, O’Sullivan P, Smith BK, Cannon RB (2020) A national survey of robotic surgery training in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery residency. Published in Annals of Otolaryngology, Rhinology, and Laryngology. PMID: 33615826
- Peltan ID, Bledsoe JR, Brems D, McLean SR, Murnin ER, Hough CL, Brown SM (2020) Institution of emergency department “swarming” care model and sepsis door-to-antibiotic time: a quasi-experimental retrospective analysis. Published in PLOS One. PMID: 32369531
- McLean SR, Bledsoe JR, Allen TL, Brown SM, Peltan ID (2019) Lower triage acuity scores are associated with delayed antibiotics in ED sepsis. Published in American Thoracic Society 2019. atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2019.199.1_MeetingAbstracts.A5986
Oral Presentations
- McLean SR, Jallah JA, Shuping LT (2023) Impacts of morphine milligram equivalents in the 5 days prior to acute inpatient rehab. Presented at American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2023: New Orleans, LA
- McLean SR, Bledsoe JR, Allen TL, Brown SM, Peltan ID (2019) Lower triage acuity scores are associated with delayed antibiotics in ED sepsis. Presented at American Thoracic Society 2019: Dallas, TX
Poster Presentations
- McLean SR, Reedy AT, Jallah JA, Shuping L (2025) Impacts of morphine milligram equivalents during acute inpatient rehabilitation. Presented at American Academy of Pain Medicine: Austin, TX
- Creveling P, McLean SR, Karvelas KR, (2025) A Case Report: Spindle and stump neuroma. Presented at Association of Academic Physiatrists: Pheonix, AZ
- Revised: 08/17/2025
- McLean SR, Jallah JA, Shuping L (2023) Impacts of morphine milligram equivalents in the 5 days prior to acute inpatient rehab. Presented at American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2023: New Orleans, LA
- McLean SR, Carneiro K (2023) Success of facet joint injections after failure of radiofrequency ablation. Presented at Pain Society of the Carolinas 2023: Greenville, SC
- Peltan ID, McLean SR, Murnin ER, Stenehjem EA, Webb BJ, Bledsoe JR, Brown SM, Hough CL, (2022) Agreement of initial and final infection diagnosis among ED patients meeting sepsis criteria. Presented at Critical Care Congress 2022: Online
- Kodsi M, McLean SR, Siano SJ, Ingraham M (2021) Refractory facet joint cyst causing L5 radiculopathy. Presented at Pain Society of the Carolinas 2021: Charleston, SC
- McLean SR, Westerdahl JS, Lu C, Knecht R, Spivak A, Keeshin S (2020) Evaluation of HIV/STI education in medical students through a free community PrEP clinic. Presented at AMA Research Symposium 2020: Online
- McCrary HC, McLean SR, Kim S, Rowe K, Snyder J, Deshmukh V, Newman M, Fraser A, Smith K, Hashibe M, Monroe M (2020) Evaluation of clinical characteristics and comorbidities among young oral cavity cancer patients. Presented at 2020 Education Symposium: Salt Lake City, UT
- McLean SR, Bledsoe JR, Allen TL, Brown SM, Peltan ID (2019) Lower triage acuity scores are associated with delayed antibiotics in ED sepsis. Presented at American Thoracic Society 2019: Dallas, TX
Volunteer Service
- Academy of Educators
Volunteer Teacher – Resident Physician
Taught 2nd and 3rd year medical students at the University of North Carolina on clinical knowledge - Community PrEP Clinic
Volunteer
Provided access to PrEP, STI testing and basic lab testing to uninsured patients - Midvale Clinic
Volunteer
Provided basic healthcare to uninsured patients in the community - Homeless Clinic
Volunteer
Provided uninsured and underprivileged patients, mainly within the homeless population, with healthcare and basic necessities - Humane Society of Utah
Volunteer
Fostered and cared for homeless dogs and cats in my home - Salt Lake City VA Hospital
Volunteer
Supervised the clinic and supported nursing staff with wound care and rooming patients
Leadership
- Chief Resident
UNC PM&R Residency- Performed all responsibilities of chief resident, acted as liaison between residents and faculty
- Resident Wellness Officer – UNC Department of PM&R
Officer- Created wellness activities for department members
- Academy of Educators UNC
Resident Teacher – Cohort of 2022- Participated in lectures regarding teaching methods in medical education
- School of Medicine Student Body Officer – Class President
Class President for 4th year class- Advocated for my class and met with administration on behalf of the class
- Spearheaded match day and graduation for the graduating class
- Community PrEP Clinic
President- Created and optimized clinic functions while providing an educational environment for medical students
- Devised educational programs for medical students and the community at large
- Established and coordinated fundraisers for the clinic to fund operations
- Curriculum Committee
Student Representative- Coordinated with faculty and other student representatives to create the curriculum for the School of Medicine. Advocated for student well being and more definitive educational objectives
- Medical Student Council Member
Member- Coordinated with other student council members to assist classmates. Created activities with the alumni association. Presented to the alumni association board on behalf of my class and negotiated financing for activities
Research Grants
- 2018: NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award institutional training grant: T35HL007744
