Marla DePolo Golden, DO '88, MS, FACEP, is the Dean of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program at PCOM South Georgia. Prior to becoming Dean, Dr. Golden held positions as the Regional Assistant Dean of Clinical Education, PCOM Georgia, Chair of Clinical Education, PCOM South Georgia, and Associate Dean of Clinical Education, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia. She is a proud alumna of PCOM Class of 1988 and the University of Florida Health Science Center Jacksonville Emergency Medicine Residency program.
Dr. Golden practiced emergency medicine in many different settings from rural to urban for many years before transitioning to the field of pain and addictions. She owned and ran a solo integrative pain medicine practice based on the osteopathic approach to patient evaluation and care, focusing on structural examinations of the musculoskeletal system and optimizing patients structures to enhance their function and relieve their pain. She is the co-founder and co-author of The Neuroplastic Transformation Program and Workbook, designed to empower patients with knowledge of self-directed, portable, efficacious ways to counteract and overcome their pain using neuroplasticity techniques. Dr. Golden was actively involved with physician colleagues, county and state law enforcement as well as legislators in Florida to take down pill mills and effect legislation to combat the opioid crisis while ensuring legitimate pain care for appropriate patients. She started ‘The Science of Change Movement’ to invite input on best outreach and treatment practices for patients with substance use and behavioral disorders. She is board eligible in Pain Medicine and Addictions Medicine.
She is passionate about her work with the connective tissue system, osteopathic medical education and preserving our osteopathic principles and practice in the treatment of patients but feels most blessed to be the mother of three wonderful children, Mark, Audrey and Jessica. She enjoys the performing arts, sings in her choir, takes piano and ballroom dance and loves to spend time with family and friends.
Dr. Golden graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1988. She completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, Florida in 1992. She is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Dr. Golden has served as the Chair of the Credentials Committee of the American Board of Pain Medicine, as a member of the Credentials Committee and the Examination Council of the American Board of Pain Medicine. She has served on the Annual Meeting Planning Committee of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Dr. Golden has been active as a spokesperson for the Florida Academy of Pain Medicine, has served as the Legislative Chair and Public Relations Chair of the Florida Academy of Pain Medicine and is currently on the Board of Directors.
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