Jackson Maddux, MD ’97, is the medical director of the Allina Health Medical Spine Program in Minneapolis, MN, and a graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine. He specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, helping patients with their spine-related problems, recover function, and improve their quality of life.
“I believe in the resilience and adaptability of people in the presence of adversity,” he said, reflecting his commitment to patient-centered care.
Board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Maddux completed his residency at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He is an active member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and volunteers as a medical officer in the Civil Air Patrol, participating in lifeline pilot programs.
Outside of his professional work, he enjoys a wide range of adventurous pursuits, including SCUBA diving, skiing, bow hunting, and flying, as well as giving back through volunteer work. Learn more about Dr. Maddux’s journey and current role.
SGU: Tell us about your current role. What gets you up in the morning to go to work or what is your favorite part of the job?
Dr. Maddux: As a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, I provide outpatient care for patients with spine-related injuries. Some of my professional interests include:
- Fluoroscopy-guided lumbar injections
- Large joint injections
- Musculoskeletal challenges
- Non-surgical orthopedics
- Spine problems
- Trigger point injections
I help people improve their quality of life and productivity by providing conservative, non-surgical spine and musculoskeletal care. I like figuring out what’s wrong when multiple other people haven’t yet figured it out. I also like helping teach patients that their back issues are often solvable and treatable.
SGU: What has been a particularly memorable, rewarding, or challenging experience in your career so far?
Dr. Maddux: I have had a handful of patients whose “back pain” was the first sign of cancer. Being the first person to tell them, and then helping them get the treatments they needed, was challenging but meaningful.
SGU: What are your long-term career goals? How do you hope to contribute to the field of medicine?
Dr. Maddux: I feel that it is my calling to make sure that patients know as much as they can about their condition so that they can make good decisions about their health and quality of life. I would like to finish my career knowing that I helped people add quality to their lives.
SGU: What made you pursue medicine? Why do you love your field?
Dr. Maddux: I wanted to solve problems and provide direct help to people. My specialty coordinates with many other types of practitioners like physical therapists, chiropractors, surgeons, etc. I love being able to educate patients and provide some immediate solutions to their spine issues. I am passionate about providing informed care to my patients.
SGU: How did SGU help you achieve your dream of becoming a doctor?
Dr. Maddux: The structure of going to multiple hospitals for my third and fourth years was very helpful in letting me see how diverse the delivery of medical care can be. In my opinion, this helped me learn that there are many ways to approach and help with a patient’s medical concerns.
During my first year, my time volunteering at the hospital in St. George with Dr. Dennis Atoe, an SGU grad who was completing his residency in Grenada, was also a great learning experience. I am so grateful for the time he spent with us.
SGU: Why would you recommend SGU to an aspiring med student?
Dr. Maddux: I would recommend SGU for its clinical program. I found the diversity of hospital options during the clinical years to be highly valuable.
