THOMAS, W.Va. – Cortland Acres and Garrett County Orthopaedics have partnered to bring orthopaedic services to the residents of Tucker County and surrounding communities.
The new satellite office will open for patients on Friday, Feb. 12. It is located in the Cortland Medical Specialties building next to Mountaintop Health Center on Cortland’s campus.
Dr. Dona Alvarez, a board certified orthopaedic surgeon and owner of the Oakland, Md. based practice, is excited about the opportunity to expand the services available at Garrett Regional Medical Center.
“Many of the patients whom my father, Dr. Joseph Alvarez, and I have served for more than 25 years call this beautiful mountainous area home,” she said. “I’m pleased to be able to bring orthopaedic services closer to them and avoid the time and inconvenience of traveling to Oakland. My goal is to offer convenient scheduling for both new patients and surgery follow-up appointments.”
Specialty services offered at Garrett County Orthopaedics include arthroscopic shoulder surgery, arthroscopic carpal tunnel release, arthroscopic ankle surgery, joint replacement surgery and trauma and fracture care.
“I considered expanding my practice a year ago but hadn’t found the ideal location,” Dr. Alvarez said. “The Cortland Acres administration has been amazing in helping to create and coordinate this opportunity for the clinic and our local patients.”
Beth Clevenger, administrator for Cortland Acres, said that the partnership with Garrett County Orthopaedics will make orthopaedic services more accessible to residents of Tucker, Preston and Grant counties.
“This is a tremendous benefit for our residents and the surrounding communities,” Clevenger said. “We understand the need for access to quality orthopaedic care and services.”
Dr. Alvarez started working at Garrett County Memorial Hospital in 1989 after receiving training at West Virginia University. Shortly after, she joined her father’s practice in Oakland, Md. Her father was the first general surgeon in the county. Dr. Alvarez also travels abroad a couple times a year to some of the poorest regions in Central America where she serves with Central American Medical Outreach.
Joining Dr. Alvarez at the Oakland and Thomas clinics is Dr. Todd Feathers, an orthopaedic surgeon who moved to Garrett County in June 2015 with his wife and daughter. Dr. Feathers, a board certified orthopaedic surgeon, graduated as a Phi Beta Kappa from Washington and Jefferson College in 2000.
He attended Jefferson Medical College and completed his orthopaedic training at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas in 2011. He also served at Camp Arena, Harat, Afghanistan. Prior to becoming part of the Garrett County Orthopaedic team, Dr. Feathers practiced at McDonald Army Health Center in Virginia.
Dr. Feather said that the new office will be open two Fridays a month. In February it will be open to serve patients on Friday, Feb. 12 and Friday, Feb. 26.
“We will reevaluate and may expand based on need and the response from the community,” he said. “Patients can contact our Oakland office to set up appointments, 301-334-1034.”
Dan Bucher, director of development for Cortland Acres, said that Garrett County Orthopaedics is the first medical service to be attracted to the new health care specialty building at Cortland Acres. “We plan to approach more health care providers that offer services needed by the people in our community.” Bucher said.
The retirement community of Cortland Acres includes a 94-bed long-term care facility, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs, rental apartments in Pineview and townhouses in The Pines. For more information call 304-463-4181 or visit www.cortlandacres.org.