Dr. Gavin Smith

Neil Shah is an Orthopedics specialist and a Hand Surgeon in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Shah is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, Rhizarthrosis, and Synovitis. Dr. Shah is currently accepting new patients.

Alan B. Thomas, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in upper extremity surgery. He has been practicing medicine since 2000, and he has a special interest in arthroscopy of the wrist, elbow and shoulder. He received a CAQ subspecialty certificate in orthopedic surgery of the hand from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.He enjoys the challenges of restoring people to health through his practice. His doctorate work in biochemistry opened up new approaches for treating complex problems and made him a more detailed clinician.Dr. Thomas is a former vice president of St. Clare Hospital and has served on the operating and surgical committees for St Clare Hospital and the medical executive committee for Franciscan Health at St. Josephs Medical Center. He is a chairman for an outreach committee at his church and a member of the board of directors for The Health Project – Cambodia, which delivers medical supplies and equipment to underserved people in Southeast Asia and he travels to Cambodia each year to provide surgical care to those in need.Outside of his medical practice and volunteer work, he tries to keep up with his three children who are avid skiers, wakeboarders, and surfers. Dr. Thomas is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, Trigger Thumb, and Rhizarthrosis.

John Howlett, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with a special interest in fracture care. He has completed additional fellowship training in hand and upper extremity surgery, including trauma, reconstruction, pediatric as well as microvascular surgery.He likes to remind himself that the origin of the Latin word “doctor” is “teacher,” and he considers it an important part of his role as a doctor to educate his patients about the conditions that are affecting them. He believes an informed and knowledgeable patient can participate more effectively in his or her own healing. As a former teacher who holds a master’s degree in education, Dr. Howlett deeply enjoys this aspect of working with patients.One of the experiences that shaped his career trajectory was his work as a counselor at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, founded by Paul Newman for children with cancer and other blood-related disorders. Witnessing the courage and energy of these children convinced him that healing involves more than medication and surgery. This experience led him to pursue his medical degree, where he saw an opportunity to combine his interest in caring for people with his passion for teaching.Having grown up in Washington enjoying hiking, backpacking, sailing, and canoeing, Dr. Howlett was eager to return to the Northwest for his residency and fellowship training. He now shares these same passions with his family. He and his wife both played soccer in college and can be found cheering on their two daughters at soccer games on the weekends. Dr. Howlett is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Trigger Thumb, Ganglion Cyst, Rhizarthrosis, and Hip Replacement.