New pain clinic holds open house

Memorial Hospital of Carbon County held an open house for its newly remodeled Orthopedic and Pain Clinic on February 22, showing county residents the growth the department has made in the past few years.

Bob Keel, a PA-C in Orthopedic Medicine, said the reason for the open house was to introduce the community to the new Orthopedic Staff. He explained what their new services have to offer for their patients and the changes made.

“We have been having orthopedic services on and off at our offices for many years,” Keel said. “Most recently, for about five years, we had orthopedic services where a surgeon would fly in to provide surgical services once a week. Through that process, we slowly developed where we have a full-time orthopedic clinic that is staffed by at least one medical provider.”

Keel also explained how the new orthopedic clinic has expanded its operations. He said the main purpose of their open house was to invite the community to their new clinic so that both Platte Valley and Carbon County residents can have choices on where they can get orthopedic medical help if needed.

“We are now expanding our services and recently got part of this hospital remodeled open,” Keel said. “Now we are sharing this new space that we have and trying to get our name out there so that people know we are here and provide the best services that we can.”

Sophie Baxter is a PA-C and works in wound care at the orthopedic clinic. She said the wound care therapy started about a year ago. She also specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation and explained the treatments wound care has to offer.

“Wound care is a program through healogics and we offer treatment including healing chronic wounds,” Baxter said. “Our clinic also gives patients treatment with acute wounds which includes ulcers, abscess, cellulitis, and non-healing wounds such as surgical wounds.”

According to Healogics.com, Healogics is the nation’s top provider of advanced wound care treatment. The healogic website also said that 1 in 4 families has a family member with a chronic wound.

Tiffany Gruetzmacher, who is an assistant to Baxter, said works with a great group of people who do a great job of taking care of patients. “We treat each other like family and work together as a team, “ Gruetmacher said. “Helping patients is my passion and we work together to make sure our patients are our top priority and to give them the best care possible”

Dr. Darin Allred, an Orthopedic Surgeon, said he loves the small town values that Rawlins and all of Carbon County has to offer. He said Rawlins is special to him and loves the staff at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County who work that extra mile for their patients.

“I grew up in a small town and Rawlins has always had a special place in my heart,” Allred said.

“I love working in Rawlins and most importantly, I love the people that I work with. The staff at the hospital have been amazing. The addition of a new orthopedic office/clinic has been a wonderful addition. The new office not only has made it more convenient and easier for me to see patients and Rawlins but it’s also made the patient experience better.”