Bitterroot Orthopedic and Sports Medicine – up and running
By Michael Howell
One of the latest physicians to join the staff of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Dr. Jeremiah Clinton of the Bitterroot Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, is one of those lucky Montanans who left the state to pursue an education and a career, but then found a chance to return and practice his chosen profession in, well, the last best place. Clinton’s practice, Bitterroot Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, is currently located in the Physician’s Clinic at the hospital in Hamilton.
Dr. Clinton grew up in Dillon, Montana, and attended Montana State University in Bozeman before beginning his doctorate program at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington. His parents still live in Dillon.
Dr. Clinton said that his dad was a carpenter and as a result he grew up doing carpentry. He said that it was good preparation for becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
“It’s pretty much the same sort of shop with many of the same tools, like cordless drills and cordless saws,” he said. Although he admitted that the surgeon had to be a little more precise.
“If you make a mistake you can’t just get another two by four and start over,” he said.
While in Seattle, at the University of Washington, Dr. Clinton participated in a Fellowship program under Dr. Matsen III, who has developed a unique form of shoulder replacement surgery called “ream and run.” The plastic cup used in traditional shoulder replacement surgery is not used. Instead the shoulder socket itself is simply reamed out to accept the new ball joint.
Dr. Clinton said that it is a very successful form of surgery and avoids the problems associated with the use of plastic in shoulder replacement. Dr. Clinton is now one of only a half dozen doctors in the country performing the ‘ream and run’ technique.
Dr. Clinton said that he learned more from his mentor out of the operating room and in the office. He said that by spending time with Dr. Matsen in the office and the hospital he learned essential things about how to keep a good clinic and make people happy.
Despite being qualified to do this unique surgical procedure, Dr. Clinton is not simply a ‘ream and run’ specialist. He works on hips and knees as well as shoulders.
“It’s nice to have a niche that few other people can fulfill, but I love all orthopedics,” he said.
Dr. Clinton worked in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for the last three years prior to making his move to Hamilton.
He chose to move to Hamilton, he said, because he and his wife, Alaina, wanted to raise their children in a small town environment. And, as a good friend of his put it, “You’re just too country to be able to stay in a city.”
Dr. Clinton continues as an affiliate professor at the University of Washington, conducting research related to his specialty of Orthopedics. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and has published numerous articles in national medical journals as well as presenting at annual meetings of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He practices General Orthopedics, including arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery and minimally invasive hip and knee replacements.
“My philosophy of care is a conservative patient centered approach,” said Dr. Clinton. “I believe surgery will make patients better when indicated and when all other more conservative measures have failed. Honesty and integrity are very important to me.”
The Bitterroot Orthopedic and Sports Medicine clinic has been open since April 11, 2011. Appointments can be made by calling 375-4868.
RML scientists chosen for top honors
Two organizations recently have selected three scientists working at Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) for prestigious research awards. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) selected a study involving RML’s Dawn Clifton, Ph.D., and James Carroll, Ph.D., for the Charles C. Shepard Science Award. The award, established in 1986, is given annually to the best manuscript on original research published by a scientist from the CDC or Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Drs. Clifton and Carroll, while working at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2009, collaborated on their award-winning work with CDC’s Dr. Robert Gilmore. The study, published in April 2010 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,” explained the role of a specific gene in transmitting the bacterial agent that causes Lyme disease from ticks to mammals. Both Drs. Clifton and Carroll had worked at RML about 10 years ago, and both returned to RML last year. The second organization to honor an RML scientist was the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI), which selected Dr. Vincent Munster, Ph.D., as the recipient of its Influenza Award for Young Scientists for his collection of studies on avian influenza. Dr. Munster, who has worked at RML since 2009, spent nearly a decade in The Netherlands studying how avian influenza spreads from birds to mammals. He brought that experience with him to RML, where he continues studying influenza and other viruses. His research was chosen by a panel of influenza experts from around the world who evaluated 27 nominees. Along with the award, Dr. Munster has been invited to speak about his work in September during the ESWI Influenza Conference, where he will also co-chair a discussion session. He was the second recipient of the award. NIAID conducts and supports research—at NIH, throughout the United States, and worldwide—to study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses. News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID Web site at HYPERLINK “http://www.niaid.nih.gov” http://www.niaid.nih.gov. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)—The Nation’s Medical Research Agency—includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.
Ditch companies want to work on river
The Etna, Webfoot and Union Ditch Companies, all of which take water out of Mitchell Slough, have proposed excavating the mouth of a side channel of the Bitterroot River known locally as the East Channel, that carries water to the Tucker Headgate located at the top of Mitchell Slough. The river has shifted course in recent times leaving the East Channel high and dry during late summer when irrigation water is needed most. The Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating the proposed project.
The plan calls for excavating the channel to remove accumulated gravel and pile it on an existing gravel bar in the river bottom. The extent of the excavation could range up to 1,600 feet. Estimated rock volume to be moved is 1,484 cubic yards. The location of the activity is on the right bank of the Bitterroot River, southeast of Victor, south of Tucker Crossing, and northeast of Chaffin Lane in the SW ¼ of Section 17, Township 7 North, Range 20 West.
The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public; federal, state, and local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed activity. Impacts upon endangered species, specifically Bull Trout, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors such as aesthetics, economics, wetlands, floodplain values, and fish and wildlife values will be assessed.
Comments on the project may be submitted through July 6, 2011 to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1600 North Avenue West, Suite 105, Missoula MT 59801-5500. Reference Application Number NOW-1998-90077-MTM. Comments may be faxed to (406) 541-4849 or e-mail Christina.L.Schroeder@usace.army.mil. For additional information contact Christina Schroeder at (406) 541-4845, ext.328.
Rock collecting area open near Stevensville
The Stevensville Ranger District has opened a new non-commercial rock collecting area southwest of Ambrose Saddle in the Sapphire Mountains. To access the site, travel on Forest Service road #428 to Ambrose Saddle and turn right on FS road #1339 and continue for 3.6 miles. The public may remove rocks from this area by hand for personal use only. A mineral material contract is required prior to collecting rock from this site. Mineral material contracts may be obtained at the Stevensville Ranger District. There is a minimum of one ton per contract, with a maximum of 10 tons per individual per year. Price is $20 per ton. The Ambrose collecting area is located in an existing quarry site. For more information about the site or removal requirements, contact Elizabeth Ballard, Resource Officer, at the Stevensville Ranger District, 777-5461.
Summer theater workshop
The Stevensville Playhouse is looking for 10-15 children, ages 7-15, to participate in the children’s summer workshop. The workshop will be held July 25 to August 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by one performance on August 5. Tuition is $100 for the two-week program with the sign up deadline by July 10. For more information call 360-9121.
Private Land/Public Wildlife Council nominations sought
Governor Brian Schweitzer is seeking applicants and nominations for citizens who wish to be considered for appointment to Montana’s Private Land/Public Wildlife Council. The council, appointed by Gov. Schweitzer, is made up of citizens representing the interests of hunters, anglers, landowners, and outfitters. Members work to address issues related to hunting and fishing access and the management of Montana’s public wildlife resources. PL/PW Council members are appointed for two-year terms and typically attend two-day meetings four to six times a year. Individuals may apply for an appointment or nominate someone for council membership. Individuals are encouraged to apply or send recommendations by July 8. Individuals can apply or nominate others via the Governor’s website at governor.mt.gov. Click “Boards and Councils.” For those unable to submit a nomination electronically, or for more information, contact Alan Charles, FWP Coordinator of Landowner/Sportsman Relations, at 406-444-3798 or acharles@mt.gov. Information is also available on FWP’s website at HYPERLINK “http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/hunterAccess/plpw/” http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/hunterAccess/plpw/ Applicants are encouraged to provide as much information as possible about their background and interest in the PL/PW. Individuals who apply online can also upload letters, resumes or other information.
Nominations sought for Stevensville’s outstanding citizens
The Stevensville Civic Club is accepting nominations for the following categories: Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Business of the Year, Organization of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Good Neighbor of the Year. Nominations should be limited to one page and can be submitted via email to HYPERLINK “mailto:rholcomb@rmbank.com” rholcomb@rmbank.com or amyling@northvalleylibrary.org or dropped off at Rocky Mountain Bank or the North Valley Public Library, both in Stevensville. Stevensville’s outstanding citizens will be honored during Creamery Picnic week at a Garden Party on August 3 at Lange Park. Deadline for nominations is July 1, 2011.
RMEF funds forest weed spraying project
The Bitterroot National Forest will be treating invasive weeds on the Darby and Sula Ranger Districts over the next three weeks. Aerial herbicide spraying is scheduled to occur on about 500 acres in the Skalkaho drainage between Coffee Gulch and Tenderfoot Gulch, uplands above the Sleeping Child drainage east of Brookins Gulch and in the Gibbons Pass area, between June 27 and July 8, depending on weather conditions. Actual helicopter time needed to treat the areas is estimated at two to three days. Treatment work for this project will occur only on weekdays.
The project is being funded by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation through a cooperative agreement with the National Forest to improve grassland habitat conditions for elk and other big game species.
The treatments will also complement similar invasive plant control work that is occurring on adjacent private land and State lands along the Forest Boundary. There will be advisory signing on FS Road #714 on the Darby Ranger District and FS Road #106 across Gibbons Pass on the Sula Ranger District during spray operations. Antler hunters and recreationists are encouraged to consider alternate locations on the days the helicopter will be flying.
Those wanting more information about the habitat improvement project should contact Gil Gale, Forest Rangeland Specialist at the Sula Ranger District at 821-3201.
Death Notices
Angelo L. Fuentes
Missoula – Angelo L. Fuentes, 41, of Spokane, WA, died at the St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Sunday, June 19, 2011, after injuries sustained outside the Elks Club in Missoula, Friday, June 17, 2011. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com
Edward A. Nelson
Stevensville – Edward A. Nelson, 83, passed away June 22, 2011 at his home in Stevensville of natural causes. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 2 at 11 a.m. at Whitesitt Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Sunnyside Cemetery.
Births
At Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Hamilton
6/8/11
Girl, 5 lbs., 15 oz., 18 inches, to Susanne Harrison, Hamilton
6/9/11
Girl, 6 lbs., 15 oz., 19 inches, to Carolyn and Justin Yetter, Hamilton
6/11/11
Boy, 6 lbs., 12 oz., 20-1/4 inches, to Nic and Brittney Uhl, Hamilton.
6/21/11
Girl, 8 lbs., 9.8 oz., to Ashley and Brandon Isaacson.