Specializing In:
- Safe and personalized anesthesia for surgery
- Advanced treatments for chronic and cancer-related pain
- Spinal cord and nerve stimulation therapies
- Nerve blocks and joint injections
- Minimally invasive procedures for spine and joint conditions
Research Interests:
- Developing new, less invasive treatments for pain relief
- Improving therapies for cancer-related pain
- Using advanced technology to control nerve-related pain
- Making surgical and procedural care more efficient and cost-effective
- Enhancing safety during pain procedures
- Finding better ways to train future doctors in anesthesia and pain care
Biography
I’m Dr. Nicholas Russo, a board-certified anesthesiologist and fellowship-trained pain medicine physician dedicated to a cancer-free tomorrow and high quality of life. At Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, I provide expert anesthetic care for patients undergoing surgery and cancer treatments, as well as offer interventional and non-interventional therapies for chronic pain. My expertise includes intrathecal targeted drug delivery, peripheral nerve blocks, kyphoplasty, and other leading-edge procedures.
My training includes an anesthesiology residency at the State University of New York at Buffalo and a pain medicine fellowship at the University of Chicago, where I served as Chief Fellow. I’ve authored book chapters, contributed to national societies, and presented at leading medical conferences.
Beyond my clinical work, I’m passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of physicians, as well as advancing research that improves patient outcomes. My goal is simple: to combine innovation, precision, and compassion to help every patient on their path to recovery.
Positions
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Assistant Professor of Oncology
- Department of Anesthesiology
Background
Education and Training
- 2016-2020 - DO - Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA
- 2018-2020 - Master of Health Services Administration - Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA
Residency
- 2020-2024 - Anesthesiology - State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Fellowship
- 2024-2025 - Pain Medicine - University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Board Certification
- American Board of Anesthesiology
Professional Memberships
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
- American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)
- North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS)
- Interventional Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS)
- American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN)
- New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA)
- Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY)
Honors & Awards
- 2024–2025 - Chief Fellow, University of Chicago Pain Medicine Fellowship
- 2023–2024 - Chief Resident, University at Buffalo Anesthesiology Residency
- 2024 - Fellowship scholarships from the North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) for advanced, minimally invasive therapy courses
- 2024–2025 - “Becoming a Leader” Professional Development Series, Warner-Reynolds Leadership Academy, University of Chicago
- 2022 - Great Lakes Quality Healthcare and Leadership Training Program
- Academic Excellence and Master of Health Services Administration Scholarships, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Publications
1. Russo N, Co-author. Chapter 83: Truncal Blocks. In: Benzon HT, Raja SN, eds. Essentials of Pain Medicine, 5th ed. Elsevier. (Forthcoming)
2. Russo N, Co-author. Chapter 6: Use of Opioids in Chronic Pain Management; Chapter 10: Setting Up Fellows for Success. In: Anitescu M, ed. Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine Fellowship: Educational Guidelines by Program Directors. Springer; 2025.
3. Russo N. Closing the Loop on Pain: Real-Time ECAP Feedback in Spinal Cord Stimulation. MedicalTech Magazine. July 2025. [Online].
4. Russo, N., Anitescu, M. Celiac Plexus Neurolytic Block for Pain Management in Recurrent Pancreatitis and GI Malignancy [Poster]. American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Annual Meeting; 2024.
5. Yu T., Russo N., Tian L., et al. Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for Scrotal Pain: Lessons Learned from a Case of Refractory and Debilitating Pain [Presentation]. Chicago Pain Summit; 2025.