Where are you from, and what brought you to Flathead Valley?
I grew up, for the most part, in Rockwall, Texas, outside of Dallas. However, I spent a portion of my youth in Anchorage, Alaska, which kindled my love of the mountains. After college and medical school in Texas, I moved to Seattle where I completed my residency at the University of Washington and could take advantage of more outdoor activities in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West. While in Seattle, I took care of patients from Kalispell that were transferred to Harborview Medical Center for specialty trauma care. I saw firsthand how these patients were provided with outstanding initial care and inquired about a position in orthopedics and sports medicine. While completing my fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the University at Buffalo, I was fortunate enough to interview for a position at Logan Health (then Kalispell Regional Healthcare) and fell in love with the Flathead Valley.
What is your specialty of practice?
My specialty is orthopedic sports medicine and arthroscopy, also known as minimally invasive surgery. While attending my fellowship at the University at Buffalo in New York state, I helped care for professional, semi-professional, college and high school athletes. I had an outstanding exposure to all facets of sports injuries, from the weekend warrior to professional hockey players who played for the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and football players for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. I treated football, soccer and lacrosse players, which has prepared me well for the injuries we see here in the Flathead Valley. In addition to sports medicine injuries, I completed subspecialty training in arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, knee and hip.
Why did you choose orthopedics/sports medicine as a specialty?
I enjoy that in orthopedics we are putting people back together again and getting them back to the activities they love, their lifestyle, their jobs and their families. I am privileged to care for the entire breadth of ages, from kids to parents and grandparents. I also enjoy working with my hands, and the continued advancement of minimally invasive surgery. While I do a lot of arthroscopic surgery, which involves using a camera to view and work within a joint, I also enjoy the anatomic exposure of open surgeries like shoulder replacements and fracture care.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is helping people. For me, the best part is when I see someone who was in pain or disabled has healed and is getting back to doing what they enjoy or achieving their goals. I also am thankful that I work with a great team in our office and in our hospital and surgery center while living in such an incredible place.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I love being outdoors. From skiing and snowmobiling in the winter to hiking, biking, camping and rafting in the summer, I love getting out into this awesome environment and exploring.
Is there anything else you think people should know about you and what you do?
I am fortunate to have found such a wonderful community to live in and an incredible place to work at through Logan Health. I hope people recognize the level of care available to them here; our physicians and surgeons have trained at the top places in the nation and have chosen to establish their practices in the Flathead Valley. In our orthopedic department, I value my partners as friends and colleagues. I hope that people feel comfortable seeking care with us, as we have specialists who can care for any type of orthopedic injury they may incur.
Article as seen at 406Woman.com