GNMSS Orthopedic surgical clinic now includes hand specialist Dr. Patrick Johnston
Patrick Johnston, DO, is shown here visiting with GNMSS’s Kendra Bixby, LPN, during his second visit to the clinic in August.
The Orthopedic Surgery component of Greater Nebraska Medical & Surgical Services (GNMSS) continues to expand with the arrival of hand specialist Patrick Johnston, DO. He joined the team last month, and has already performed numerous procedures in the short time he’s been here.
“I’ve been interested in a career in medicine for as long as I can remember,” Dr. Johnston shared. “I chose orthopedics because you can see the results immediately … you fix a broken bone, see that it’s better and aligned and … it just makes me happy. I enjoy interacting with an active patient population in orthopedics from the elderly population with arthritis to kids with broken bones. I researched the intricate anatomy of the hand while in college and that was a factor in my decision to specialize in that area. Also, the hand is important to people’s appearance. The hand and the face are the only parts of the body you can’t hide, so when I get done with a procedure, it has to look good. Finally, the hand is one of the only specialties where you can do orthopedics, vascular surgery, neurosurgery and plastic surgery all in one. My favorite procedure to perform is fixing wrist fractures.”
Dr. Johnston will be able to do almost all his procedures at Box Butte General Hospital. “The hospital has been very supportive in obtaining much of the equipment I need for my cases, so I’m grateful to the hospital for that,” he said. “The most common procedures I’ll do are carpal tunnel (where a small incision is made at the base of the palm to release the transverse carpal ligament that is touching the median nerve); cubital tunnel (similar to carpal tunnel, only in the elbow), trigger finger releases (where a finger gets ‘stuck’ open or closed) and surgery for arthritis in the hand.” He mentioned one out of three women experience arthritis in the base of their thumb, which is just one of the conditions he offers treatment for. Dr. Johnston will be practicing at GNMSS one day per month for now.
BBGH CEO Lori Mazanec is thrilled with the addition of Dr. Johnston. “I am extremely excited to have Dr. Johnston join our team of Orthopedic Surgeons at BBGH,” she said. “His addition brings the full spectrum of orthopedic specialists to Alliance, the first for Rural Partners in Medicine (RPM). Dr. Scheer, President and CEO of RPM, has been instrumental in helping us establish our vision of being the greatest place to receive care, to work, and to practice medicine.”
Medical/Educational History
Dr. Johnston earned his Bachelor of Science Cum Laude in Biological Sciences in 2005 from Oakland University, Rochester, MI; earning honors in anatomy. He obtained his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) in 2009 and then spent his residency training at several Chicago hospitals with Midwestern University from 2010 to 2015 where he studied all areas of orthopedic surgery (foot/ankle, spine, hand, pediatric, trauma, and sports medicine to name a few). He completed his Hand, Upper Extremity, and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship in 2016.
Philosophy
Dr. Johnston saw the need in rural medicine was acute while working in Alaska when he was a medical student. That led him to be part of RPM, out of Steamboat Springs, CO. “I was very excited that RPM was taking care of patients in rural areas and that there was a need for a hand specialist in rural Nebraska,” he said. “This is my second visit to BBGH. Everyone has been friendly and welcoming. The patients are wonderful as well and very grateful for the care they receive.” Dr. Johnston also practices in Sidney, NE, and the Colorado communities of Granby, Craig and Steamboat Springs.
Fun Facts
Dr. Johnston has visited all 50 states in the country (Montana was his favorite). When time allows, he’s an avid hiker, photographer, cyclist, road tripper and home chef (octopus is his favorite dish to prepare). His wife and two children (a 13 year old stepson and 2 year old son) enjoy Colorado, where a large contingent of his family live. “Of all the things I enjoy doing, my favorite activity is being with my family,” he concluded. “We hike together frequently and we all love the mountains.”
Box Butte General Hospital is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
