Dr. Joseph M. Neal, MD

Joseph M. Neal, MD is an anesthesiologist at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle, Washington, where the focus of his work is regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine. The current appointment of Dr. Joseph Neal is Anesthesiologist, Department of Anesthesiology.

The research and clinical emphasis of Dr. Joseph Neal falls on local anesthetic systemic toxicity and its treatment, neurologic complications of regional anesthesia and ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and patient safety. He is a recipient of the Carl Koller Gold Medal Award, 2012.

An anesthesiologist is a fully qualified doctor responsible for anaesthesia, pain control and the monitoring of breathing, circulation and consciousness around an operation. Dr. Joseph Neal works within the field of regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine.

Essential Details For Dr. Joseph Neal

• Full Name And Credentials: Joseph M. Neal, MD
• Specialty: Anesthesiology
• Subspecialty Focus: Regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine
• Current Position: Anesthesiologist, Department of Anesthesiology
• Institution: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
• Location: Seattle, Washington

Medical Training Record For Dr. Joseph Neal

The training record below is drawn from the institutional and society sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Medical Degree: MD, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 1978
• Internship: Transitional year, Virginia Mason Hospital, Seattle, 1978 to 1979
• Residency: Emergency medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University
• Residency: Anesthesiology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, 1985 to 1987
• Fellowship: Regional anesthesia, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle
• Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology, 1988, and American Board of Emergency Medicine

What Dr. Joseph Neal Specialises In

Published professional sources describe the clinical and academic work of Dr. Joseph Neal as centred on:

• Local anesthetic systemic toxicity and its treatment
• Neurologic complications of regional anesthesia
• Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and patient safety
• Upper extremity nerve blocks
• Education and training in regional anesthesia

Appointments And Leadership Roles Of Dr. Joseph Neal

• Anesthesiologist at Virginia Mason since 1989
• Past President, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2012 to 2015
• Editor-in-Chief, Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2002 to 2012
• Former Director of the Virginia Mason regional anesthesia fellowship for more than a decade and of its anesthesiology residency programme
• Director of Research, Virginia Mason, 2013 to 2017
• Lead author of the ASRA Practice Advisory on Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity and the ASRA Practice Advisory on Neurologic Complications

Awards And Scientific Contributions Of Dr. Joseph Neal

• Gaston Labat Award, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2019
• Carl Koller Gold Medal Award, 2012
• Author of more than 74 peer-reviewed articles and four books
• Principal or co-investigator on 12 research grants

Practice Setting For Dr. Joseph Neal

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

Seattle, Washington. Clinical commitments at this institution are arranged through its departments and preoperative services. Confirm the current street address, department and telephone number with the institution before travelling, because academic appointments and clinic sites change.

About Regional Anesthesia As A Subspecialty

Regional anesthesia uses targeted injections of local anaesthetic near nerves to numb a specific part of the body, often instead of or alongside general anaesthesia. Ultrasound guidance lets the anesthesiologist see the nerve and the needle in real time, which has made these blocks more precise. For patients this can mean less pain after surgery, lower opioid requirements, less nausea and in many cases a faster return home.

Related Doctors In Regional Anesthesia

If you are comparing specialists, these anesthesiologists work in closely related areas:

• Dr. Sugantha Ganapathy, regional anesthesia at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, and London Health Sciences Centre
• Dr. Vincent Chan, regional anesthesia at University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network
• Dr. Xavier Capdevila, regional anesthesia at University of Montpellier and Lapeyronie University Hospital
• Dr. Admir Hadzic, regional anesthesia at NYSORA, The New York School of Regional Anesthesia, and Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg

Browse the full anesthesiologist directory for more specialists.

Booking And Insurance Information For Dr. Joseph Neal

Anesthesiologists are usually brought into a patient’s care by a surgeon, a hospital preoperative clinic or a pain service rather than through direct booking. Insurance participation varies by hospital and by plan, and it changes over time. Check coverage with both the institution and your insurer before scheduling, and ask whether the named anesthesiologist will personally be involved in your care.

Patient Questions About Dr. Joseph Neal Answered

What does Dr. Joseph Neal specialise in?

Dr. Joseph Neal is an anesthesiologist whose work centres on regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine. Particular areas of focus include local anesthetic systemic toxicity and its treatment and neurologic complications of regional anesthesia.

Where does Dr. Joseph Neal practise?

Dr. Joseph Neal is based at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle, Washington.

Where did Dr. Joseph Neal go to medical school?

MD, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 1978. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. Joseph Neal?

Joseph M. Neal, MD. Specialist training in Anesthesiology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, 1985 to 1987. American Board of Anesthesiology, 1988, and American Board of Emergency Medicine.

Is Dr. Joseph Neal board certified?

American Board of Anesthesiology, 1988, and American Board of Emergency Medicine. Patients and referring clinicians should confirm current licensure and certification status directly with the relevant medical board or hospital.

What position does Dr. Joseph Neal hold?

Dr. Joseph Neal is Anesthesiologist, Department of Anesthesiology, based at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

Information Sources For Dr. Joseph Neal

• Virginia Mason Franciscan Health provider directory
• ASRA Pain Medicine Gaston Labat Award announcement
• Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine journal

Editorial Review And Last Update For Dr. Joseph Neal

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including institutional faculty pages, hospital provider directories and specialty society records. Credentials, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Medical Information Notice For Dr. Joseph Neal

Information only, not medical advice. Location, specialty, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.