Derek Roper MSM, PA-C

Derek Roper, PA-C was born in Charleston, SC before moving to Greensboro, GA where he lived and worked as a paramedic/firefighter until returning to South Carolina in 1998. He attended Anderson University and received his B.S. in Sport and Exercise Science and then went to Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN to Physician Assistant School and earned his Master’s Degree in Medicine and is a Board Certified Physician Assistant.

After working in family practice and emergency medicine, Derek began working in Pain Management in 2012. He feels Pain Management is a field too often misunderstood, but for those who have chronic pain every day that limits their ability to function and enjoy life, to them, it is just as important as their cardiologist or internist. There are many treatment options for patient with chronic pain that include more things than “just a pill”. In fact, some of our patients don’t take pain medications at all, but instead, by receiving different therapies and procedures specifically tailored to their issues, they are able to have improved function and decreased pain.

Derek served in the US Army as a combat flight medic as well as in the US Airforce in the Aeromedical Service. He currently serves as a medical officer in the SC State Guard. In the military, he received valuable training in adult and pediatric trauma and cardiac life support and attended Emergency War Surgery School. He served with several distinguished units with the US Army and Reserves including the 108th Training Command and 18th Aviation Brigade-Airborne.

Derek has served as a representative with the South Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants, a member of the Tri-County Technical College EMS Advisory Counsel, and currently serves on the SC Board of Medical Examiners Physician Assistant Committee.

He currently resides in Easley, SC with his wife and three children. He is an active member of Rock Springs Baptist Church. Derek enjoys hunting and fishing.