Hi, I’m Dr. Terel Newton. I help purpose driven healers and innovators align their lives with impact.
Being a modern doctor is about leading with values, building with intention, and creating space for healing both for others and for ourselves.
... balancing automation with authentic care.
Sometimes that means practicing medicine. Other times, it means teaching, building AI systems, or guiding other professionals toward clarity.
What connects us is a desire to help others...
As a physician, medical director, and entrepreneur, I’ve dedicated my career to bridging the gap between medical science and innovation. My journey into artificial intelligence has been intentional & rooted in the belief that AI should enhance, not replace, the human touch in healthcare and business.
Under the guidance of Dr. Kartik Hosanagar, one of the world’s foremost experts on algorithmic decision-making and digital transformation, I completed the AI for Business program at Wharton.
This course provided deep insight into how artificial intelligence reshapes organizational strategy, marketing, operations, and customer experience. I learned to:
Translate AI capabilities into business outcomes
Evaluate machine learning models from a managerial perspective
Integrate AI-driven automation to optimize workflows and decision-making
Develop ethical frameworks for algorithmic fairness and transparency
Dr. Hosanagar’s work on the “human-AI hybrid” approach to business strategy has influenced how I now lead AI initiatives across clinical and corporate ecosystems — ensuring that technology aligns with values, outcomes, and measurable ROI.
At MIT, I studied under Dr. Regina Barzilay, whose pioneering work in AI for oncology and natural language processing has transformed how we interpret medical data. The MIT AI in Healthcare program provided a rigorous foundation in machine learning, deep learning, and their direct applications to patient care, diagnostics, and drug discovery.
At Stanford University School of Medicine, I advanced that learning through the AI in Healthcare Specialization taught by Dr. Matthew Lungren, Dr. Serena Yeung, and Dr. Mildred Cho, along with seven other expert instructors.
This five-course series emphasized practical, ethical, and translational aspects of AI in clinical settings. Through applied learning projects, I explored:
Machine learning applications in clinical decision support and imaging
Feature engineering using electronic medical records and unstructured health data
Health informatics and managed care optimization
Data mining for population health and predictive analytics
Healthcare ethics, safety, and quality frameworks for AI deployment
The capstone project — tracing a patient’s data journey through diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes — reinforced how every modeling choice affects real-world care.
The synthesis of these programs has allowed me to architect AI systems that support both business efficiency and patient-centered outcomes. My focus today includes:
Building scalable AI frameworks that reduce administrative burden
Designing ethical automation pipelines within healthcare EMR systems
Training clinicians and executives to leverage AI for insight, not replacement
Championing data integrity, transparency, and interoperability across health systems
Through this integration of Wharton’s strategic lens, MIT’s technical rigor, and Stanford’s clinical depth, I continue to build pathways for a new generation of intelligent, accountable healthcare — where AI amplifies human expertise and enables billion-dollar impact with integrity.
Most recent certifications:
AI in Healthcare (MIT, Stanford)
AI for Business (UPenn School of Business)
Board Certified Anesthesiologist | Interventional Pain Consultant | Medical Director, Trulieve
Dr. Terel Spencer Newton is among the top one percent of physicians in the United States formally trained in pain medicine. As a fellowship trained Interventional Pain Consultant and Board Certified Anesthesiologist, he has performed more than ten thousand image guided procedures that help patients overcome chronic pain and regain quality of life.
As the Medical Director of Trulieve, the largest medical cannabis network in the United States, Dr. Newton is a national voice for evidence based, non opioid approaches to pain care. His work integrates regenerative medicine, neuro pain modulation, and cannabinoid science to create safer, more effective treatment pathways for patients with complex and chronic conditions.
A former high school science teacher turned clinician and educator, Dr. Newton has spoken at more than fifty national and international events including the Florida Medical Cannabis Conference and Exposition, Patients Out of Time, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America Summit. His collaborations with leading universities such as the University of North Carolina, Duke University, Temple University, Florida A&M University, and the University of Alabama reflect his lifelong commitment to medicine, mentorship, and modern innovation.
“My mission is to replace suffering with science and stigma with understanding.” — Dr. Terel S. Newton
By Dr. Terel S. Newton, M.D.
#1 Amazon Best Seller in Pain Medicine
Available on Amazon
Endocannabinoid Medicine & Pharmacology is a definitive guide for healthcare professionals seeking to understand the therapeutic role of cannabinoids in modern clinical practice. Drawing from Dr. Newton’s clinical experience and research leadership, the book explains how the endocannabinoid system regulates pain, inflammation, and neurological recovery, and how clinicians can apply this science responsibly.
Readers gain insight into the physiology and pharmacology of the endocannabinoid system, the clinical use of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, comparative data on safety and efficacy versus opioids, and practical guidance on dosing, formulation, and patient communication. The text also examines harm reduction, neuro inflammation, and the evolution of cannabinoid based therapies in medicine.
Written in clear medical language and supported by peer reviewed evidence, this work serves as an essential reference for physicians, pharmacists, and educators exploring the future of non opioid pain management.
Dr. Newton is a recognized thought leader in interventional pain medicine and cannabinoid pharmacology. He has presented original work and continuing education lectures at more than fifty professional events nationwide, influencing physicians, pharmacists, and health systems in advancing safer, integrative care models. His research highlights the clinical potential of cannabinoids in reducing opioid dependence and improving pain control.
Conducted in collaboration with the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Husson University School of Pharmacy, and Maine Medical Center, this study analyzed medical data from multiple states to determine how cannabis access affects opioid use and mental health outcomes in patients with chronic pain. The findings showed that states allowing medical cannabis access experienced opioid related overdose reductions of up to thirty three percent, with all states reporting at least a twenty five percent decrease. Patients using cannabis also demonstrated lower depression scores and reduced benzodiazepine use. The study supports medical cannabis as a measurable harm reduction strategy in pain management and public health policy.
This literature review, authored by Dr. Newton as Medical Director of Trulieve Florida MMTC, examined more than two hundred studies on the use of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in treating pain and spasticity among individuals with spinal cord injuries. The analysis found that cannabinoids produced clinically meaningful reductions in pain and muscle spasm, with optimal THC dosing between fifteen and twenty milligrams per day. Adverse effects were mild and no major respiratory complications occurred. The results suggest that phytocannabinoids offer a promising, opioid sparing alternative for managing spasticity and neuropathic pain after spinal injury.
Dr. Newton’s body of work connects science, compassion, and innovation. Through education, research, and advocacy, he continues to shape the future of interventional and cannabinoid medicine across the United States.
Disclaimer: Information provided is for reference only and does not imply affiliation or endorsement with the mentioned individuals, companies, products, services, treatments, and websites. For informational purposes only - contact your medical provider for health and medical advice. Content accuracy, completeness, and timeliness are not guaranteed. Inclusion of information and websites does not constitute endorsement. Users should exercise caution when accessing external content. The third party links are not under our controlled and we do not monitor them so we cannot be responsible for any damages from using those links. See your medical, legal, finance, tax, spiritual and other professionals for discussion, guidance, planning, recommendations and greater understanding of the risks, benefits, options and ability to apply any information to your situation.
