A Message to Destin's Veterans: Welcome to Emerald Coast Integrated Care
A personal welcome from Dr. Gerald Mastaw — retired Navy Lt. Commander, military physician, and lead trainer for the Discseel® Procedure — to the veterans of Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and the Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field communities.
Gerald Mastaw, MD — Lead Physician, Emerald Coast Integrated Care (Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Commander)
From a Fellow Veteran
I'm Dr. Gerald Mastaw. Before I was a physician here on the Emerald Coast, I served as a wartime surgeon and retired as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy. I know what it means to carry the physical wear of service long after the uniform comes off — and I know how frustrating it can be to get the right care through the right channels. That's why I want to personally welcome the veterans of Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and the communities around Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field to Emerald Coast Integrated Care.
Who We Are
Emerald Coast Integrated Care is a multi-specialty medical practice in Destin, Florida, built to serve as a true front door for veterans' health needs. Rather than sending you across town for every concern, we bring primary care, spine and interventional care, mental and behavioral health, and advanced treatment for chronic back and neck conditions under one roof. Our goal is continuity: a care team that knows your history and coordinates your treatment.
Care Through VA Community Care
We are a participating provider in the VA Community Care Network (CCN) Region 3. If you're a veteran enrolled with the VA and eligible for community care, you may be able to receive treatment with us close to home rather than traveling long distances. Eligibility and referrals are determined by the VA, and our team is experienced in helping veterans understand the process, coordinate authorizations, and get established with the right specialty care.
Chronic Back and Neck Conditions
Years of physical demand — jumps, rucks, heavy gear, long deployments — take a toll on the spine. We evaluate and treat chronic back and neck conditions with a focus on restoring function and quality of life. Our spine and interventional care line is designed for veterans who want a thorough evaluation and a treatment plan built around their specific condition, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Discseel® Procedure
For certain veterans with chronic disc-related back pain, we offer the Discseel® Procedure — a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment that addresses damaged spinal discs. I am a licensed Discseel® provider and trainer, and I perform the procedure here in Destin. Discseel® is an option worth discussing for candidates who want to explore alternatives before considering spinal fusion. Whether Discseel® is right for you depends on a clinical evaluation of your condition.
More Than Your Spine
Service affects the whole person. Alongside spine care, we provide primary care and mental and behavioral health services, so the concerns that often go together can be addressed together, by a team that communicates.
Getting Started
If you're a veteran near Destin and want to learn whether we can help — through VA Community Care or otherwise — reach out to our team. We'll walk you through what's involved and help you take the next step.
About the Provider
Dr. Gerald Mastaw is a retired U.S. Navy Lt. Commander and military physician who serves as Lead Physician at Emerald Coast Integrated Care in Destin, Florida. He is a licensed provider and lead trainer for the Discseel® Procedure, training other physicians across the country in the technique. As a veteran himself, he brings a particular focus to caring for the veteran and military community across the Emerald Coast, including the Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field communities.
Discseel® is an investigational procedure. Individual results vary. Emerald Coast Integrated Care holds a Florida Department of Health Certificate of Exemption from Pain Management Clinic registration under Florida Statutes 458.3265/459.0137 (Certificate No. EPMC 1428).