Staff

Our friendly staff are here to help you!

Dr. Thomas K. Dahlberg

Graduate of University of Iowa – 1986
Medical School – Midwestern University – 1991
Residency – Mayo Clinic, Internal Medicine – 1992
Residency – Mayo Clinic, Anesthesiology – 1995
Board Certified Anesthesiologist
Board Certified Pain Medicine
American Society of Anesthesiologists – Member
Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists – Member
American Academy of Pain Medicine- Member
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians
Illinois State Medical Society- Member
Winnebago County Medical Society- Member

Dr. Dahlberg is a native of Rockford, Illinois and a graduate of Guilford high school. He returned to Rockford in 1995 after completing his Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is a clinical Professor of surgery at the University of Illinois School of Medicine Chicago/Rockford and is involved in the teaching of medical students, residents and fellows. Dr. Dahlberg also served for 16 years in the United States Army Reserve medical corps as a physician achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was transferred to active duty status during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. He served as active staff physician at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC and was appointed Clinical Professor of surgery and visiting lecturer for the Uniformed Services University medical school in Bethesda, Maryland where he taught and mentored some of the nation’s most elite medical students, residents and fellows.

Dr. Dahlberg is a nationally recognized lecturer in the specialty of pain medicine having given 100’s of lectures throughout the United States and is a recognized thought leader in the field of spinal cord stimulation/neuromodulation and spinal implant surgical technique.

Upon completing his training Dr. Dahlberg returned to provide medical care and improve the lives of the citizens of Rockford and Northern Illinois through the diagnosis and treatment of their life altering painful conditions. He feels a special bond with his patients aspiring to treat them as he would a member of his own family.

Dr. Frederick J. Gahl

Graduate of Marquette University – 1969
Medical School – Medical College of Wisconsin – 1973
Residency – Northwestern University, Internal Medicine 1974
Residency – Northwestern University, Anesthesiology 1977
Board Certified Anesthesiologist
Board Certified Pain Medicine
American Society of Anesthesiologist – Member
Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists
Winnebago County Medical Association
American Society of Regional Anesthesia
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and Pain Medicine
Illinois Society of Regional Anesthesia
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians
Illinois State Medical Society

Dr. Gahl has been practicing Anesthesia and Pain Medicine in Rockford since 1977.

Dr. Zachary E. Belford, D.O.

Graduate of University of Wisconsin – Madison – 2013
Medical School – Midwestern University – CCOM – 2017
Internship – Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago – 2018
Residency – New York University – Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation – 2021
Fellowship – University of Minnesota – Pain Medicine – 2022
Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Board Certified in Pain Medicine
American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation – Member
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians – Member
American Society of Pain and Neuroscience – Member
North American Neuromodulation Society – Member
Spine Intervention Society – Member
Illinois State Medical Society – Member
Winnebago County Medical Society – Member

Dr. Belford is originally from Rockford and graduated from Boylan High School. He attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he earned his undergraduate degree, he then returned to Illinois for medical school at Midwestern University – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. During his training, Dr. Belford developed a unique interest in helping patients maximize their function and overcome their physical barriers. This led him to pursue a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, which he completed at New York University. He then went on to complete a Pain Medicine Fellowship Program at the University of Minnesota. His practice style is one of evaluating each patient as a whole, and working together to develop a plan that best suits their individual needs and goals. Dr. Belford has had the privilege of caring for a diverse group of patients with a wide array of painful conditions, and is pleased to bring this experience back to the people of his hometown.

Heather Leasure, DNP, APRN-FPA

Graduated from Rock Valley College in 1996 with Associates in Applied Science of Nursing
Graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 2009 with BSN
Graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 2017 with MSN
Graduated from Post University in 2025 with Doctor of Nursing Practice: Professional Leadership
ANCC-Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
ANCC-Certified Pain Management Nurse
Certified Operating Room Nurse
Member of Illinois Society of Advanced Practice Nurses
Member of American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Member of the American Society for Pain Management Nursing
Member of Chicago Metropolitan Chapter of ASPMN Board Member

Heather is a native of the Rockford area. She graduated from Hononegah High School in 1991. She has volunteered in the Rockton community for many years for multiple organizations. She has over 20 years of experience as a Registered nurse in many areas including post-surgical, intensive care, trauma, and cardiac. She is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in Pain management.

Dr. Mir M. Isaamullah, MD, PhD

Graduate of Vanderbilt University – 2013
Medical School – University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine – 2020
Graduate School – PhD in Neuroscience, University of Illinois at Chicago College of
Medicine – 2020
Residency – Medical College of Wisconsin – Anesthesiology - 2024
Fellowship – Medical College of Wisconsin – Interventional Pain – 2025
Board Certified Anesthesiologist by the American Board of Anesthesiology
American Medical Association – Member
American Society of Anesthesiologists - Member
North American Neuromodulation Society – Member
American Society of Pain and Neuroscience - Member
American Society of Regional Anesthesia - Pain Medicine – Member
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians – Member
Illinois State Medical Society - Member

Though not native to the area, Dr. Mir grew up in the Midwest and came to Rockford to
settle down near his in-laws who have been in the Rockford area for over 40 years. After
graduating Valedictorian of his high school class at Hillgrove High School in Powder
Springs, GA, he attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, earning a Bachelor’s degree in
Neuroscience. He then completed an intensive medical and research program at the
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine where he earned both his Medical
Degree as well as a PhD in Neuroscience. He then completed Residency in Anesthesiology
and a Fellowship in Interventional Pain Management at the Medical College of Wisconsin in
Milwaukee. With his background in research, he practices evidence-based medicine and
promotes a holistic approach and multidisciplinary approach to pain management. He
offers a wide variety of interventional therapies, with a special interest in neuromodulation
including spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation techniques. His practice style
involves diagnosis of not just the pain generator, but of what is important to the patient,
aspiring to improve their ability to enjoy their lives to the fullest.