Submitted photo Campbell native Dr. Raymond Petras, who now lives in Phoenix, Arizona, has been a volunteer with the Mission of Mercy at the North Phoenix Baptist clinic location for the past 15 years.

For the past 15 years, Campbell native Dr. Raymond J. Petras has been a dedicated volunteer with Mission of Mercy, using his unique skills to bring relief and comfort to patients in need.

His approach to patient care is holistic, addressing not just the body, but also the mind and spirit.

Petras is an integral part of the volunteer medical team at the North Phoenix Baptist clinic location, guiding patients through intake to understand their unique history, family dynamics and support systems.

He offers mental and performance-enhancing techniques to help alleviate physical and emotional pain and encourage positive behavioral change. His ability to safely reduce or eliminate physical pain using mental and verbal techniques has made a lasting impact on countless patients.

One of his most memorable clinic experiences involved a 53-year-old Spanish-speaking woman who suffered from severe shoulder pain and limited range of motion for more than four months. Standard pain medications provided no relief, and her condition was exacerbated by the stress of her brother’s illness in Mexico.

“Using a combination of laughter, visualization, forgiveness and thanksgiving, we helped eliminate her pain and regain full range of motion,” Petras said.

For Petras, the most rewarding part of volunteering is seeing a patient walk out of the clinic with renewed hope and a smile on their face.

Whether it’s helping someone manage chronic or acute pain, or providing them with tools to navigate future challenges, he finds joy in making a difference. He also credits the incredible team

of volunteer interpreters for enabling effective communication and enhancing the quality of care.

His journey into the medical field was anything but traditional. “I was originally trained as a chemical engineer and worked for DuPont and 3M. I went back to school to study psychology to learn how to use the mind to enhance performance,” Petras said.

After earning two advanced degrees, he started working with athletes for injuries and performance enhancement. It was during this period that he developed PNPR (Psycho Neuro Pain Response), also known as TAP (Talking Away Pain). Both are trademarked with the U.S. Patent Office.

His expertise has allowed him to work with medical and sports organizations worldwide, tackling complex pain management cases both in person and remotely.

When he’s not volunteering, Petras enjoys hiking, dancing to live oldies music, working with international clients and spending quiet time in nature. His love for movement and mindfulness aligns with his belief in the power of holistic healing.