Slice of Life: Spotlight on DCMS Member Ferdinand Formoso, DO, FAAPMR, DABPM

By Kristy Williford, DCMS Communications Manager

If you’re used to seeing DCMS President Dr. Ferdinand Formoso in his white coat, you might be surprised to run into him at Salvatore’s Old-Fashioned Pizzeria and realize he’s not just there to eat. Dr. Formoso, a board-certified pain medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, not only owns and runs a medical practice, but the pizza franchise as well.

“It has allowed me to enjoy the fundamentals of business ownership but from completely different lenses. I also am involved in real estate businesses, and that additionally offers its own unique perspective. Most of all, I feel blessed to be able to be my own boss, and not from just one angle.”

The ingredients for success in both medicine and business started at a young age.

“When I was six years old, my youngest sisters, identical twins, were born very prematurely and were quite sick and hospitalized for a long period of time during their birth.” Dr. Formoso shared. “While watching the amazing care they received, I told my parents at that time that I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. I worked hard, made great grades, and was able to make it into a reality!”

Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Dr. Formoso moved only about 75 miles to Buffalo, NY for his undergraduate degree.

“I spent the first 22 years of my life in cold, snowy western New York State. I started moving southward first by moving to the New York City region where I completed medical school.”

After medical school at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Formoso moved to Philadelphia for his residency and fellowship at Temple University.

“I originally started my residency training in general surgery, but I quickly realized that the lifestyle of a general surgeon (call schedule, long hours) did not work for me. Interventional PM&R was a better fit in that I was able to be a procedure-based specialist, but also complete my work during ‘normal’ business hours.”

With his specialty decided, Dr. Formoso decided to move even further south, accepting his first full-time job at Florida Spine Care in Jacksonville. The following year, he started his own practice, Coastal Spine & Pain Center. In 2022, he sold his shares in Coastal, and started Formoso Pain Specialists, a smaller, independent pain medicine practice he currently runs.

“It breaks my heart to know that people live in chronic pain. I love it that every day I am able to prescribe medication and perform procedures that ease pain and suffering and improve the quality of life of my patients. And as a bonus, I love that I don't have to work at night or on the weekends!”

Having that extra time has worked well for his family life. Shortly after moving to Jax, Dr. Formoso met his wife, Elisa. The couple has two sons, Nick and Teddy, as well as three dogs, and two cats. Between the boys’ sports activities (rowing and cross country, respectively), volunteering at their church and with K9s for Warriors, serving with the Duval County Medical Society, including 2023/2024 as DCMS President, and participating on the Florida Medical Association PAC Board, Dr. Formoso stays quite busy.

“Despite our busy schedules, it is a priority for us to make time to have dinner nearly every night together as a family.”

While the Formoso family calls Jacksonville home, Dr. Formoso’s New York hometown still holds a place in his heart. In fact, that’s what led him to bring Salvatore’s pizzeria to the south.

“My connection to Salvatore's came through my family in Rochester, NY, specifically my Uncle Chuck, who is a good friend of the founder, Salvatore ‘Soccer Sam’ Fantauzzo. My uncle put the two of us together and the rest is history!”

And if you didn’t think he had enough on his plate, Dr. Formoso’s other passions are almost as diverse as his shop’s pizza toppings. When he’s not running one of his businesses, you may find him traveling, hiking, skiing, golfing, or even behind a guitar!

“I was the lead guitarist in a number of bands throughout my life. My band in college (Finding Sebastian) recorded a full-length album of all-original material and toured regionally around Buffalo, New York.”

So, if you ever find yourself at home with a carryout pizza, grab a slice, relax, and look them up on Apple or Spotify!