Visiting physicians offer specialty services locally

Banner Churchill Community Hospital is working with four new visiting specialists who will provide services in pain management, eye surgery and dental surgery that previously weren’t available locally.

Bruce Mullen, MD, is a physiatrist with more than 20 years of experience in spine care, chronic pain management, rehabilitation, work-related injuries and nerve testing. In addition to seeing patients in the clinic, he can provide epidural and injection pain relief services on site so patients don’t have to travel out of the community. It is recommended that patients check with their insurance about coverage.

Mullen is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation by the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners. He earned his medical degree at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Mullen sees patients every other Wednesday at BCCH, 801 E. Williams, Ave. To make an appointment, call (775) 883-7938.

Steve Chang, MD, is a board certified ophthalmic surgeon and specializes in surgery and medical diseases of the eye. He earned his medical degree from New York Medical College. He is fellowship-trained in cataract and refractive surgery.

Chang will perform cataract surgery at BCCH. To learn more about his services, please call (775) 329-2300.

Area patients in need of dental surgery now can have those services locally. Dental surgeons Dax Rapp, DMD, and Blaine Austin, DDS, perform adult and pediatric procedures at BCCH.

Rapp has been practicing pediatric dentistry in Salt Lake City for the past four years before moving to Nevada. He attended the University of Louisville in Louisville, Ky., where he received his doctor of dental medicine. He then worked with Indian Health Service on the Whiteriver, Ariz., Indian Reservation. He practiced rural dentistry and performed Head Start exams in elementary school, oral surgeries and operating room procedures involving general anesthesia.

Rapp speaks Spanish, enjoys singing, the outdoors, biking, running and skiing.

Austin received his doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle and completed an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, Conn. Dr. Austin’s background in dental surgery has given him perspectives in overall oral and dental health including gums, soft tissue and disorders of the mouth. He manages a variety of problems related to the mouth, teeth and facial region and has expertise ranging from corrective jaw surgery to wisdom tooth removal. He diagnoses and treats oral pathology, facial trauma, TMJ disorders and dental implant procedures.

Austin is married and the father of five children. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.

To learn more about dental services, call (775) 423-7400.

Banner Churchill Community Hospital in Fallon opened in 1996 and is a part of Banner Health, a nonprofit healthcare system with 29 hospitals in seven states. It offers acute and primary care, including comprehensive Emergency care with an ambulance service that covers more than 5,900 square miles. For more information, visit www.BannerHealth.com/Churchill.