Meet our Joint Replacement Team

Your experience at the Joint Replacement Institute will put you in contact with many of our hospital staff, from hospitalists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, volunteers, our Joint Care Coordinator and orthopaedic surgeons.

You will work closely with the Joint Care Coordinator, your orthopaedic surgeon as well as hospital staff from many departments. 

They include:

Joint Care Coordinator 

Natalie Reed, PT

Reed graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove with a bachelor's of science degree in biology, and a master's of science in physical therapy, also from Pacific. She is an Advanced Certified Clinical Instructor and has worked at Willamette Valley Medical Center and Life Care Center of McMinnville as a physical therapist.  Reed is a strong advocate for patient education and injury prevention and has presented seminars on balance, body mechanics training, ergonomics and the benefits of stretching and exercise.  She also designed and implemented an ergonomics and injury prevention program at Cascade Steel Mill.

Orthopaedists

Elizabeth Ackerman, MD

Dr. Ackerman earned her bachelor of science degree in biology and medical degree at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She completed her residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Montreal in Quebec, Canada. Her clinical experience includes serving as a Fast Track emergency room physician at the Monongalia General Hospital and as Orthopedic Resident at the West Virginia University Department of Orthopaedics, both in Morgantown, WV. Dr. Ackerman also participated as a research fellow for the West Virginia University Musculoskeletal Research Lab in Morgantown, WV.

Christopher Blake, MD

Dr. Blake earned his undergraduate degree in pre-medicine from the University of Oregon in Eugene. He completed his internship at Providence Medical Center and his residency in orthopedic surgery from the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, both in Portland, Ore. Board certified, he is a member of the Yamhill and Oregon medical associations, and the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

Peter Van Patten, MD

Dr. Van Patten, board certified in orthopaedics, received his medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine. He completed his Orthopaedic Residency at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Pennsylvania.  He attended the Sports Medicine Institute of Alabama and completed a Trauma Fellowship at the R Adams Cowley Schock Trauma Center in Maryland. Dr. Van Patten opened his private practice in McMinnville in 2003.

Michael Vessely, MD  

Dr. Vessely, orthopaedic specialist in hip and knee replacement, earned a degree in Human Biology from Stanford University and his doctorate of medicine from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. He completed his internship in general surgery at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center and his residency in orthopaedic surgery from the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics in Columbia, MO. 

George Zakaib, MD     

Dr. Zakaib earned his medical degree from West Virginia University. He completed an internship in General Surgery and one in Orthopedic Surgery, and his residency at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. Hands being of special interest, he completed a fellowship in hand surgery from the University of California, San Diego. He was in private practice in Hawaii and West Virginia before joining Willamette Valley Medical Center in 2006 and is a member of the American Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, Marion-Polk County Medical Society and the Oregon Medical Association.

 

Physical Therapists

Occupational Therapists

Registered Nurses

Hospitalists