Health Compass Newsletter

Despite the economic downturn in 2008, CMH was hard at work constructing its Health & Wellness Pavilion and creating space for the new Specialty Clinic, including orthopedic services. When it opened later that year, the Specialty Clinic had one surgeon and a physiatrist (a nonsurgical specialist) on staff.

In that same time frame, CMH and Pacific Coast Imaging were the first to bring a state-of-the-art MRI scanner to the area, adding it to the most comprehensive inpatient and outpatient diagnostic imaging facility in the Columbia coast region and laying the groundwork to develop CMH’s orthopedic offerings even more.

Over the past 15 years, the clinic, now known on the orthopedic side as the CMH-OHSU Health Orthopedic Clinic, has grown tremendously, seeing 5,903 patient visits in 2022 — and it is on track for seeing over 6,900 in 2023. With a third surgeon having joined the current team this July, there are three surgeons and three advanced practice practitioners here to serve the community’s needs.

Getting on the road to recovery more quickly

Now fully staffed with providers, the clinic can provide 24/7 orthopedic coverage for the region. That’s a service that has not been regularly available on the coast. It means if a patient falls and breaks a hip over the weekend, they won’t have to wait until Monday — or potentially be transferred — to have their fracture repaired, helping them get on the road to recovery more quickly.

Since 2008, the Imaging Department has also experienced continual expansion — offering MRI and CT scans, ultrasounds, mammography, interventional radiology and other services. The Rehabilitation Services department, including a physical therapy team of more than 15 practitioners, has also expanded at CMH.
Patients with musculoskeletal issues and concerns no longer need to travel to larger metropolitan areas for all-inclusive orthopedic care, total joint replacement surgeries or the rehab needed afterward.

CMH’s increasingly robust program includes a class that covers what patients can expect with total joint replacements; visits with a clinical social worker to address needs before and after a procedure; and discharge planning that incorporates ordering the equipment needed for recovery, as well as scheduling follow-up clinic appointments.

In July of this year, CMH acquired a Mako SmartRobotics system. The next closest Mako units are in the Portland, Oregon, or Olympia, Washington, areas. The Mako is the market leader in robotic surgery, offering surgeons more precision and patients more personalized procedures, quicker recovery times and better outcomes.

“One of our Board’s goals is to provide services that allow our community members to remain local for specialized care,” says Erik Thorsen, CEO. “Having advanced technology like the Mako means that patients needing total joint replacements can have all of their appointments and procedures, from pre- to post-op, here on the coast — with no need to make the long drives back and forth to major metros.”

Meet our orthopedics and sports medicine team

Douglas Abbott, MD
Joined CMH: 2011
Fellowship: The Sports Clinic (Laguna Hills, California)
Board certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Special practice interests: Arthroscopic surgery; joint replacement; orthopedic surgery; shoulder and knee reconstructions; and sports medicine

Daniel Fabiano, MD
Joined CMH: 2023
Fellowship: Matthews Orthopaedic Clinic/Orlando Regional Medical Center (Orlando, Florida)
Board certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Special practice interests: General orthopedics; complex shoulder and knee replacements; sports medicine; and total and partial joint replacements

Benjamin Sherman, DO
Joined CMH: 2021
Fellowship: Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (Gulf Breeze, Florida)
Board eligibility: American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Special practice interests: Sports injury and shoulder instability; ACL, rotator cuff and labral tears; meniscus preservation; minimally invasive surgical techniques; and clinical research

Kristi Daniels, PA-C
Joined CMH: 2019
Board certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Special practice interests: Orthopedics; sports medicine; joint replacements; and pediatrics

Ryan Larsen, PA-C
Joined CMH: 2009
Board certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Special practice interests: Orthopedic surgery and pediatric orthopedics

Stephanie Parmley, NP-C
Joined CMH: 2022
Board certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board
Special practice interests: Holistic care and health care improvements in quality and safety

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Categories: Orthopedics