Navigating the Clinical Component
This is a general orthopedic practice built around a high volume of major joints and sports medicine. The surgeon spends two days in the OR and two days in clinic each week, with dedicated orthopedic block time and a Mako robot room available daily. Strong ancillary support and a technology-forward facility allow the surgeon to focus on a full surgical and clinical workload.
Patient Population
- All patient age groups across Umatilla County and surrounding rural communities
- General orthopedic conditions with heavy joint replacement and sports medicine demand
- Spine cases referred to OHSU; minimal trauma, with serious trauma transferred to higher-level centers
Schedule and OR Structure
The schedule is four ten-hour days, divided evenly between the operating room and clinic. Orthopedic OR block time is reserved Monday through Friday.
| Day Type |
Structure |
| OR days |
2-3 per week |
| Clinic days |
1-2 per week |
| Total joints blocks |
Monday, Wednesday, Friday |
| ACL cases blocks |
Tuesday, Thursday |
Clinic Volume
- Clinical day average: 30+ patients
- Current surgeons average approximately 1,200 clinic visits per month
- In-clinic procedures: joint injections, joint aspirations, corticosteroid injections
Subspecialty Opportunity
- Most current surgeons treat knees and above
- Podiatrists handle the majority of foot and ankle work (70%+), leaving roughly 30% of that volume available
- Additional volume is available for surgeons with hand or foot and ankle training
- No spine work; all spine surgery is referred to OHSU
Call
- 1:4 general call
- Very little trauma
- Most Level III trauma can wait until morning
- Serious trauma is sent to the Level II center in the Tri-Cities or Level I in Portland
Technology and Clinical Support
- EMR: Epic
- Robotics: Stryker Mako for total knee, partial knee, and total hip replacement, combining 3D CT-based planning with AccuStop haptic technology
- Imaging: 1.5T MRI (3T in progress), 128-slice CT, in-clinic X-ray, 3D ultrasound
- MA and scribe support available
- Close collaboration with the on-site physical and occupational therapy team
- Active physician assistant recruitment underway to add APP support in the clinic