John S. Mekail, MD
I speak: English
My gender: Male
Where I practice
About me
Welcome, and thank you for visiting my Web page. I’m Dr. Mekail, pronounced “Meh-kale,” and I hope this page helps you get to know me.
Biography
I’m originally from Riverside, and I’m grateful to be practicing back in Southern California after spending different chapters of my life in Boston, Baltimore, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and Durham, North Carolina. Living and training in different places has shaped how I connect with people from many backgrounds and has helped me appreciate how personal each person’s experience with illness and pain can be.
I chose pain medicine because it allows me to combine careful listening, problem-solving, procedural skills, and long-term relationships with members. I enjoy helping members better understand what may be contributing to their pain and working together on a plan that is realistic, thoughtful, and focused on improving daily function.
Teaching is also an important part of who I am as a physician. I enjoy working with medical students and physicians in training, and I bring that same approach to member care by trying to explain conditions and treatment options clearly.
About my practice
My goal is for members to feel heard, respected, and comfortable asking questions. Pain can affect much more than one body part. It can interfere with sleep, movement, work, mood, relationships, and the ability to enjoy daily life. Because of that, I try to understand not only where something hurts but how it is affecting the person as a whole.
I take a collaborative approach to care. Depending on each member’s situation, treatment may include medications, physical rehabilitation, lifestyle changes, behavioral strategies, image-guided procedures, or coordination with other members of the care team. I believe the best treatment plans are the ones that members understand and feel able to follow.
How I thrive
Outside of work, I thrive by spending time with family, staying active, trying new foods, traveling when I can, and making time to recharge. I also enjoy teaching, learning new skills, and spending time with my dog. Maintaining balance in my own life helps me bring patience, focus, and perspective to the care I provide.
My office
Languages spoken by medical staff
Help is available in your language. Learn more.
My provider type
Physicians and SurgeonsMedical groups, plans, and locations
Southern California Permanente Medical Group
Plans accepted
- Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)
- HMO
- Medi-Cal Managed Care
- Point-of-Service Plan (POS)
- Senior Advantage
Baldwin Park Medical Center
Contact information
- Appointments
- 1-833-574-2273 (toll free)
- Mandarin Chinese Appointment Line/Cancellations
- 1-888-886-1398 (toll free)
My training, certifications and licensing
Medical school
George Washington UniversityBoard certification
Anesthesiology
American Board of AnesthesiologyMedical training
Fellowship
Pain Medicine
Duke University HospitalInternship
Internal Medicine
Temple UniversityResidency
Anesthesiology
Temple UniversityJoined Permanente Medical Group
2025Active license information
License number
A204496License type
Physician and SurgeonLicense issuing state
CALIFORNIANational Provider Identifier (NPI)
1912523143Cultural Competency Training (CCT)
PendingMy hospitals
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This page was last updated on: 07/30/2026