Our Team

Dr. Kartik Ananth, MD, MBA is the founder of Pacific Pain & Wellness Group. His expertise and interests cover a variety of conditions, treatments, and research topics. As a double board certified psychiatrist and pain management specialist with over a decade of experience, he is uniquely qualified to offer medical, non-surgical, and innovative solutions for managing chronic pain & treating mental disorders.  Dr. Ananth is a compassionate medical provider with a deep understanding of how patients’ lives can be negatively affected by unmanaged mental health disorders or physical pain and practices a holistic approach to medicine by treating patients as  a whole, addressing each facet of their health concerns.

Dr. Ananth is passionate about helping patients improve their Mental Wellness. He is an expert psychiatrist who successfully treats bipolar disorder, OCD, postpartum depression, anxiety disorders, ADD, ADHD, depression, PTSD, and more. He utilizes the latest in psychotropic medication, ketamine infusion, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and psychedelics. He is also committed to helping patients achieve an active and fulfilling life while living with chronic pain including the nerves, spinal cord, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints using a wide range of innovative treatment options that are aimed at providing the fastest and most effective pain relief possible.  Dr. Ananth has been voted a “Top Doctor” by Castle Connolly each year since 2016 and has appeared on the “LA Top Docs” list every year since 2018. As an esteemed colleague in the physician community, Dr. Ananth is an active member of the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience as well as the Pacific Spine & Pain Society.

Dr. Mohan Nair, MD is ACGME Board Certified In Brain Injury Medicine and specializes in providing clinical and med-legal consultations on complex cases involving brain injury, chronic  pain, and psychological trauma. He  leads/co-leads the Brain Injury Medicine programs at Pacific Pain & Wellness Group, where he takes the time to thoroughly know his patients before deciding the best treatment options.  Dr.Nair provides IME’s, confidential consultations and litigation support on med-legal cases involving brain injury and psychological trauma (PTSD). He has extensive experience in testifying with the ability to explain complex science and statistical data in a non-alienating jargon free manner to juries and the Court.

Dr. Gelareh Solomon, Ph.D is an expert in the field of psychology. Her therapy sessions are customized to the specific needs of each individual. Her ultimate goal is to always empower her clients in achieving their personal goals as well as maintaining lasting mental health. Dr. Solomon has extensive training in the treatment of a wide range of emotional and psychiatric conditions. She also provides psychological testing and evaluations.  Her multicultural background has allotted her a unique tool in treating individuals with cross-cultural challenges. Dr. Solomon's compassionate and engaging approach is embraced and revered by many.

Annie Nardella, LMFT graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Studies with an emphasis in Interpersonal Relationships. Annie soon felt her calling for counseling and went back to school in 2002 for her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University.  Annie has over 11 years of therapeutic experience with various areas of treatment such as: ADHD, Trauma, Depression, and Anxiety as well as Family Therapy and Coordination of Exit planning for clients.  Annie has currently been working in the area of Addiction treatment and Recovery.  She has gained experience in providing trauma-based treatment focusing on PTSD and other related diagnoses.

Madonna Catalasan, RN is a board-certified Registered Nurse who has provided a high standard of care for our patients here at Pacific Pain & Wellness Group since 2016. Madonna was born and raised in the Philippines where she attended Wesleyan University and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1994. Madonna then began her nursing career in the United States in 1998 after immigrating from the Philippines. Madonna plays a vital role in our procedures here at PPWG as she monitors vitals, administers medication, and provides comfort to patients that come through our surgery center.

Sumera Chaggan, PA-C is a nationally certified Physician Assistant specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehab/Pain Medicine. She is certified by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants and is a current member of the Pacific Spine and Pain Society and the American Academy of Physician Assistant.  With over 4 years of experience in Pain Medicine, Sumera helps patients manage chronic pain that affects daily activities by giving them control over their pain and reducing their reliance on medications through collaborative, multidisciplinary, and interventional pain management approaches. She examines patients to determine the cause of their discomfort and develops a treatment plan to minimize the effects of pain and allow the patients to resume as much regular activity as possible. She also educates patients on how to make adjustments to their lifestyles so that they are less affected by their pain.

Veronica Arres, NP is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with diverse experience in assessing and treating depression, anxiety, mood disorders, OCD, ADHD, trauma, psychotic disorders, and more. Veronica obtained her Master’s in Science in Nursing from Walden University, Minneapolis, MN in 2020. During her years as a registered nurse, she worked with various mental health conditions including anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, geriatric conditions, trauma, and acute psychiatric conditions. As a nurse practitioner, Veronica believes that every individual is unique and thus provides a holistic treatment that supports her patients’ emotional and physical well-being. Veronica emphasizes evidence-based practice interventions and patient-centered care in her clinical practice.

Josefina Reyes Sanchez, NP is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Her specialties include assessing and treating anxiety, depression, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), and acute psychotic disorders, among many other conditions. With over 15 years of experience as a registered nurse and licensed clinical social worker, Josephina uses techniques to help patients overcome personal obstacles and achieve mental and physical healing. She is passionate in providing quality, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health services combining traditional methods with a holistic approach to meet the diverse needs of patients. Josefina believes in living a healthy lifestyle, utilizes mindful meditation, and strives to create personalized care plans that fit every patient’s specific needs.