POST FALLS — Ron Vander Griend was having serious back pain and he wanted off the medication he took for it.

The Coeur d'Alene man found relief this week at Northwest Specialty Hospital's new Northwest Pain Management office and with Dr. Jessica Jameson.

"This is the best thing that could happen to Northwest Specialty Hospital," Vander Griend said during Friday's grand opening and open house for the office at 750 N. Syringa St., Suite 101, in Post Falls.

Vander Griend said he was Jameson's first surgery patient this week.

"She cares about you," he said. "She calls you the next day to see how you are doing, and not all doctors are that way. She's here because she loves to help people. Patients identify with her really well."

Rick Rasmussen, the hospital's CEO, said the facility had been hunting for the right pain management doctor for about a year before landing Jameson.

"We signed the contract on Friday and opened the office on Monday," he said. "She and her staff have hit the ground running."

Jameson had 16 office visits and two injection patients on Monday, showing the demand for such services.

"There's a huge demand and a shortage of pain doctors," Rasmussen said. "There's a nine- or 10-week waiting list at some places."

Jameson, who formerly worked at Pain Management of North Idaho in Riverstone in Coeur d'Alene, said she's excited to be part of a new addition to Northwest Specialty and praised her staff and that of the hospital for working quickly to open the office.

"I believe this move is what is best for me and my family long-term," Jameson said. "This is a breath of fresh air. It will be a wonderful partnership."

The office was formerly occupied by Drs. Adam Olscamp and Roger Dunteman.

The pain management office will be open Monday through Thursday to start, but will likely also be open on Fridays in the future. Jameson will be the lone provider in the office to start, but another will be added if needed.

"The addition of pain management is perfect for what we do because we are a specialty hospital," Rasmussen said. "This will be a perfect fit for our team. People will come out of here feeling a lot better."