John R. Roberts, MD, DABA
Pain Specialist Serving the North Alabama area in Huntsville, Decatur, and The Shoals
For over 25 years, Dr. John R. Roberts has compassionately treated those suffering from pain. His passion is in helping patients to get healthy and stay healthy. He feels there is value and power to starting now to live a better life. Dr. Roberts strives to focus on regenerative health and treating problems early using numerous advanced therapies to help maintain and repair your health so you can feel well again.
Education & Special Training
Dr. Roberts graduated from Millsaps College Magna Cum Laude with a degree in chemistry and received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi. He spent nine years on active duty in the USAF where he trained in internal medicine, anesthesiology and completed a fellowship in Interventional Pain Management from the University of Texas.
Dr. Roberts is double board-certified as an anesthesiologist and is an expert in Pain Management. He served as the Director of Pain Services for the DOD in the Southeast region at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. Dr. Roberts now lives in Huntsville, where he has been practicing medicine since 2002. He is a member of the American Medical Association (AMA), American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) and the Madison County Medical Society. Dr. Roberts is a consultant with Crestwood Medical Center, Madison Surgery Center and Huntsville Hospital and is fully licensed in Alabama, Mississippi and Texas.
He and his staff at Living Healthy MD look forward to helping you take control of your health without pills or surgery. There is no time like the present.
Joseph Pongetti, MD
Dr. Joseph Pongetti was born and raised in Tyler, Texas, and later moved to Mississippi to attend Mississippi State University — Go Dawgs! He went on to complete graduate studies at Mississippi College before earning his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. While there, he met his wife, Katie, who is now an ophthalmologist serving patients throughout the North Alabama area.
Dr. Pongetti completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Mississippi, where he developed a strong interest in caring for patients suffering from pain. He finds great fulfillment in helping patients improve their function, regain independence, and restore their quality of life. This passion ultimately led him to pursue fellowship training in Interventional Pain Management.
Following fellowship, Dr. Pongetti and his wife moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where they are raising their growing family and enjoying the opportunity to be closer to Smith Lake.
In 2026, Dr. Pongetti joined Dr. John Roberts at Living Healthy MD. He is proud to serve the North Alabama community and looks forward to helping individuals and families live healthier, more active, and fulfilling lives.
Allie Pauly
Allie was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, but spent many years in Ohio where she attended PA school at the University of Mount Union. She has 12 years of experience in medicine, specifically urgent care, aesthetics, and pain management. Some of her favorite things are spending time with family, working out, and football season. Go Bills and Roll Tide!
Allie has a strong interest in regenerative medicine like platelet rich plasma and stem cells as well as hormone replacement therapy, weight loss, and Botox/Xeomin.
Allie’s favorite part of her job is helping patients feel better!
Carrie Erdner
Carrie is a dedicated healthcare professional, devoted wife and mother, Christian, and avid outdoorswoman from Anniston, Alabama. Her life is shaped by faith, family, a strong work ethic, a passion for sports, and a love of the outdoors.
Carrie graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) in 2012, where she played volleyball for four years. After graduation, she worked as a nurse at Huntsville Hospital for three years before becoming a Nurse Practitioner in the Emergency Room for another three years. Since 2019, she has worked in pain management, where she has found enjoyment in helping her patients improve their quality of life and seeing them return to the activities they love most.
Carrie is married to Joseph, and they have two amazing children and a beloved Goldendoodle named Louie. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, hiking, hunting, shooting, lifting weights, Alabama football, and playing sports—especially pickleball. Whether spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, or cheering on the Crimson Tide, Carrie values faith, family, meaningful relationships, working hard, adventure, and making the most out of the beautiful life God has given her.
Roger McLain
Roger graduated from Troy State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 1993. He worked in ICU and emergency room settings for several years. He transitioned into management and administration, including working as Director of Nursing. He became a licensed healthcare administrator after passing exams in Georgia and Alabama and oversaw multiple facilities across the Southeast region. Wanting to return to patient care, he completed an MSN degree from Samford University as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2003.
He has worked as a nurse practitioner in urgent care, pulmonary and sleep medicine. He began working in pain management in 2007 as part of a multidisciplinary team. He joined Dr. John Roberts in 2016. His practice focuses on helping patients have a better quality of life.
Samantha Hemphill
Samantha Hemphill is a dedicated healthcare professional, wife, mother, and outdoor enthusiast from Madison, Alabama. She graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) in 2012, where she also played softball for four years.
Following graduation, Sam spent five years working as an emergency room nurse at Huntsville Hospital. Her experience in the fast-paced ER environment helped build a strong foundation of clinical knowledge and patient care. She later advanced her career as a nurse practitioner and spent four additional years at Huntsville hospital ER Since 2021, Sam has specialized in pain management, continuing her commitment to helping patients improve their quality of life.
Outside of her career, Sam enjoys a busy and active family life. She is married to her husband, Blake, and together they have twin daughters, Addison and Cameron. Their family also includes two Labrador retrievers, Scout and Phoebe.
In her free time, Sam enjoys traveling, hiking, and camping. Whether she is exploring a new destination, spending time on the trails, or enjoying the outdoors with her family, she values adventure and making lasting memories with the people—and dogs—she loves.
Selena Armstrong
Selena graduated with an Associates of Nursing Degree in 2016. She worked as an RN at NMHS hospital for 1.5 years on a rehabilitation floor and then worked at Iuka Medical Clinic for the next 6 years where she pursued her Bachelor of Nursing Degree from Mississippi University for Women. Selena then obtained her Master of Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of North Alabama. She worked in primary care at Verona Family Medicine for 4 years and then started Living Healthy MD in July of 2025. Selena enjoys treating the patients here. You see them come in the clinic with visible pain and eventually, you see them with less pain, improved mobility, and a better outlook on life.
Selena is originally from Dennis, MS. She currently lives in Russellville with her husband and three boys. She enjoys being with family, being outdoors, and going to church.
Skylar Simmons
Skylar graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2021 from University of North Alabama. She worked in the Madison Hospital ICU for a year and then went to work at the Surgery Center of Decatur in the OR, Pre-op/Post-op, and PACU and did this for 4 years. Skylar then went back to the University of North Alabama and graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner and has been working with the LHMD family since February 2026. She loves getting to see her patients go from their worst to feeling like they can do anything again. Skylar feels her job is truly inspiring, and she is so glad to be a part of this life-changing experience!
Skylar is a native of Moulton, AL where she is a worship leader at her church and she works with the youth. Skylar has been married to her husband for five years and they have two beautiful girls. She loves travelling and plays golf as a hobby.
Featured Patient Review
I have been seeing Dr Roberts for terrible back pain and after a couple of procedures I am 100 percent pain free. Played golf for the first time in 9 months with zero pain. I highly recommend Living Healthy and Dr Roberts if you are struggling with Back issues. Thanks again!