Meet the Team at Triad Pain Group
Dr. John Baca DC,
DACRB, CSCS, CICE, MUAC
Dr. Baca is the Founding physician of Triad Pain Group. He has focused his practice on the treatment of musculoskeletal, acute/chronic injuries, and pain of the spine and extremities.
His treating philosophy is to identify the “root cause” of the patient’s pain syndrome or injury. By properly diagnosing a condition and identify a pathway to healing and restoring function; he recognized that producing a positive and successful outcome involved a multi-disciplinary approach. This philosophy established the multi-disciplinary evidence based model of care for Triad Pain Group.
Dr. Baca believes in life-long learning. He stays abreast of the latest advancements and evidenced based research to support clinical outcomes in order to bring his patients the highest standard and quality care. Due to his experience and integrity; he serves Board positions for the Arizona Work Disability Prevention Association and for a local ambulatory surgery center (ASC) that is a Medicare approved facility and accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Dr. Baca is an avid sports fan; he enjoys “road-trips”; the “great outdoors” and loves spending time with his family.
Dr. Christopher Ryan Walker
Chiropractor & Clinic Director
Born and raised in Phoenix, Dr. Walker’s passion for sports and helping others led him to pursue a career in health care. After graduating from high school, he attended Arizona State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a focus on exercise science. During this time, he explored various avenues within health care and even dabbled in firefighting. However, it was an unexpected back injury that ultimately guided him toward chiropractic care.
While working at a physical therapy clinic, Dr. Walker experienced the transformative power of chiropractic firsthand when his back pain was alleviated through treatment from a chiropractor. Intrigued by this holistic approach to health care, he pursued a career in chiropractic.
With extensive experience in multidisciplinary clinics, Dr. Walker is well-versed in providing comprehensive treatments, including chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and medical interventions. His diverse background includes athletic training, personal training, and hands-on experience as a physical therapy technician.
For Dr. Walker, the most rewarding aspect of being a chiropractor is witnessing patients regain their quality of life. Seeing individuals who have exhausted other options find relief and express their gratitude is the ultimate reward for him.
He believes in the power of chiropractic adjustments, emphasizing that the hands-on approach can yield remarkable results. However, Dr. Walker also recognizes the importance of being resourceful, employing additional techniques like physical therapy when necessary to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Besides his chiropractic expertise, Dr. Walker holds certifications in pediatric chiropractic and the Webster Technique, which help support pregnant mothers by addressing back pain and optimizing baby positioning in the womb. He also possesses a certification in manipulation under anesthesia, enabling him to provide advanced care for conditions such as frozen shoulder and back pain.
Outside the practice, Dr. Walker cherishes spending time with his young children. While his focus is on family, he remains an avid golfer and hiker. Having played rugby during his time in chiropractic school, he enjoys sports and physical activity.
Dr. Kevin Kerchansky DC,
FNP, DACRB
Dr. Kevin is a dedicated healthcare professional with expertise in functional rehabilitation, biomechanics, and human performance. He focuses on providing comprehensive care to his patients as a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and American Chiropractic Rehabilitation Board-certified practitioner.
For him, the most fulfilling aspect of his job is not only the physical rewards he sees patients enjoy, but also the psychological or mental rewards when they can overcome hurdles.
Raised in Springfield, Ohio, Dr. Kevin earned his Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine from the University of Dayton in 1997. He then pursued his passion for chiropractic medicine at Northwestern Health Sciences University, obtaining a Doctor of Chiropractic in 2000. Building on his extensive knowledge, he further expanded his qualifications by completing a three-year board specialty in physical rehabilitation and training in the AMA Guides 6th Edition.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kevin has been sought after as an expert in performing examinations of injured patients. He is certified by the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners and is frequently hired for expert testimony in liability and workers’ compensation cases.
Pursuing continuous learning, Dr. Kevin completed his nursing degree in 2016 and became a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2020 through Herzing University. He also currently spends some time in outpatient interventional radiology and interventional pain management.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Kevin has contributed significantly to academia. He served as adjunct faculty for Northwestern, teaching post-doctoral courses on spine and extremity rehabilitation from 2011 to 2014. This experience shaped his passion for educating others in the field, and he began lecturing nationally on functional rehabilitation techniques for various professional audiences, including chiropractors, physical therapists, attorneys, nurse case managers, and insurance claims departments.
Outside the practice, Dr. Kevin is interested in health and nutrition. He also enjoys golfing and hiking in the mountains with his wife, daughter, and their dog.
Gregory Etienne
Physician Associate
Dr. Greg grew up in South Texas Rio Grande Valley Region and attended Universidad Mexico Americana del Norte, a medical school in Mexico. He earned his Doctor of Medicine in 2018. From a very young age he knew he wanted to serve society as a physician. He is tri-lingual with the ability to speak fluent English, Spanish, and French.
He is an adaptable professional with many years of experience and a proven knowledge of assisted living, palliative care, emergency response, and preventative medicine. Aiming to leverage his skills and the successful treatment as a medical provider of patients with conditions raging from general medical conditions to traumatic injuries.
In his role at Triad Pain Group, Dr. Greg has the ability to be multifaceted in the broad spectrum of services he can provide because of his training. He believes that sets him apart from other providers.
When Dr. Greg is not working, he loves watching basketball, his preferred sport. The San Antonio Spurs are his favorite team. He met his lovely wife Cristina of 5 years while in medical school. They both practice medicine with a dedication and conviction to provide their patients with the best medical care they can offer. He has 2 beautiful young children who take up most of his time when he is not at the office but whenever he gets a chance he loves to slow life down a bit and enjoy the many family fun activities the Phoenix region has to offer.
Yolanda Smith RN,
MSN, FNP-C Nurse Practitioner
Yolanda is a Family Nurse Practitioner certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She earned her Master’s in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of Phoenix. Yolanda has over 24 years of healthcare experience in Telemetry, Surgical, Ortho/Rehabilitation, and Palliative Care, which has provided a foundation for her passion for nursing.
She focuses on delivering holistic care and a positive healthcare experience for Triad Pain Group patients. Yolanda is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. She enjoys spending time with her two sons.
