Erik Novak, MD, PhD, is board-certified and a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon providing surgical and non-surgical treatment of foot and ankle conditions. He also specializes in general orthopedics and the treatment of fractures. He believes that taking the time to explain to patients their musculoskeletal conditions and treatment choices allows for a faster recovery and return to the activities and sports they enjoy.He serves as the team physician for the Thunderbirds hockey team and has international experience as a volunteer with Orthopaedics Overseas in Mthatha, South Africa. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his family. He also takes part in outdoor recreational activities and traveling. Dr. Novak is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Achilles Tendon Rupture, Tendinitis, Bursitis, Metatarsalgia, and Hip Replacement.

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.

William Clark, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and subspecialty certified hand surgeon. He has a clinical interest in arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, trauma/fractures, nerve and tendon disorders, minimally invasive surgery of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, complex hand surgery, and treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture.As a physician, he involves patients by discussing the diagnostic and treatment options for each condition and by encouraging them to participate in making their healthcare decisions. As a surgeon, he believes his mission is to provide safe, effective surgical care while staying abreast of the latest advances and techniques. His ultimate goal is patient satisfaction because this is what makes orthopedic surgery an enjoyable and rewarding profession for him. Dr. Clark is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, Rhizarthrosis, Trigger Thumb, and Hip Replacement.

Zakkary Walterscheid is an Orthopedics specialist and a Hand Surgeon in Covington, Washington. Dr. Walterscheid is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Tennis Elbow, Ganglion Cyst, Trigger Thumb, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Wrist Arthroscopy.

In his practice, Fred Huang, MD, enjoys focusing on several areas of orthopedic surgery, including sports injuries, arthroscopic knee surgery, knee and hip replacement surgery, and fracture care. He strives to provide care that is tailored to fit each patient's individual needs, and he believes that educating patients about their orthopedic conditions promotes success and patient satisfaction.Dr. Huang was a clinical instructor in the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. He taught UW orthopedic residents at the Seattle VA hospital from 2001 to 2019. In his spare time, he enjoys cheering for the Florida Gators football and basketball teams. Dr. Huang is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Infectious Arthritis, Tendinitis, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.

Craig T. Arntz, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic shoulder specialist with 25 years of experience treating problems that often require shoulder surgery, including rotator cuff tears, instability, fractures, and shoulder arthritis. He has advanced training in shoulder surgery with extensive experience in treating the most complex shoulder disorders. He has particular interest in arthroscopic shoulder repair, rotator cuff surgery and shoulder replacement surgery, including reverse shoulder replacement.Dr. Arntz is also a board-certified hand surgeon, and he is recognized in the Seattle and Renton communities as a shoulder and upper extremity specialist. He is proud to have had thousands of physician and patient referrals.He uses advanced techniques to restore his patients' shoulder and hand comfort and function as quickly and safely as possible. He has co-authored several articles and book chapters about rotator cuff repair and shoulder arthritis reconstruction.He is a native of Seattle. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his family. He also enjoys snow and water skiing, boating, and travel. Dr. Arntz is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Tendinitis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, and Frozen Shoulder.

Andrew L. Merritt, MD, is dedicated to getting injured athletes back to the activities they love. His practice is focused on sports medicine and surgical treatment of the knee and hip. He has specialized training in ligament, cartilage, and tendon injuries of the knee. He also specializes in hip and knee replacement, including minimally-invasive partial knee replacement.Dr. Merritt brings advanced training to his practice, using the same surgical techniques and individualized care that helps professional athletes get back in the game. He has published many papers and chapters on orthopedics and complex knee surgery. He served as an assistant team physician for the New York Giants professional football team.He spends most of his free time outdoors and enjoys traveling. He has provided medical services to natives and fellow travelers in Peru and Nepal during two treks to Mt. Everest base camp. He and his wife reside in the Seattle area with their two children. He is honored to be involved in your care and will work with you toward regaining your active lifestyle. Dr. Merritt is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Baker Cyst, Osgood-Schlatter Disease, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.

Sean Haloman, MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon. He specializes in hip preservation, sports medicine and arthroscopic/minimally-invasive surgery of the shoulder, hip, elbow and knee. He also performs surgery for general orthopedic conditions and trauma.Dr. Haloman understands the impact and devastation that injuries and pain have on all aspects of life. He works together with his patients to develop evidence-based treatment plans that suit the goals and needs of each patient. He strives to ensure that his patients not only return to their previous performance or activity level but are also less likely to be reinjured.Dr. Haloman has a personal interest in injuries of the hip and shoulder, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgical techniques, and hip preservation (the treatment of hip impingement and dysplasia to reduce the risk of hip arthritis). He believes in an individual-based approach to medicine and that restoring normal anatomy after injury is only a small part of keeping his patients active and healthy.When he’s not helping our patients get back to their active, healthy lifestyles, Dr. Haloman can be found exploring Seattle and the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children, traveling, playing sports, exercising, reading and listening to podcasts. Dr. Haloman is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Frozen Shoulder, Tendinitis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, and Hip Replacement.

Niket Shrivastava, MD, is board-certified in orthopedics with a special focus on hand and wrist surgery. In addition to his clinical experience, he has substantial research experience including serving as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Orthopaedics at Columbia University and a research assistant in both the Department of Orthopaedics and Center for Bioengineering at University of Washington. Dr. Shrivastava is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Trigger Thumb, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, Frozen Shoulder, and Hip Replacement.

Matthew J. Robon, MD, is board-certified in hand and orthopedic surgery. He treats patients with all types of orthopedic fractures in addition to his specialty focus in hand and upper extremity surgery.In his years as a competitive All-American swimmer, he endured years of medical treatment for multiple orthopedic injuries. These experiences shaped his practice philosophy today: good patient care involves making accurate and timely diagnoses, but equally important is treating patients with respect and compassion. By helping his patients understand their problem, he can treat the immediate problem and hopefully help them avoid future injuries and pain.Dr. Robon is married and has three sons. He and his wife enjoy exploring the great outdoors by hiking, golfing, and trail running in the Cascades. Dr. Robon is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Trigger Thumb, Dupuytren Contracture, Rhizarthrosis, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Traci Granston is a Hand Surgeon and an Orthopedics provider in Renton, Washington. Dr. Granston is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. Her top areas of expertise are Ganglion Cyst, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Trigger Thumb, and Osteoarthritis. Dr. Granston is currently accepting new patients.

David Lessman, MD, is fellowship-trained in non-operative sports medicine for patients of all ages. Though he enjoys seeing all active patients from weekend warriors to professionals, Dr. Lessman specializes in acute and overuse injuries of the adolescent athlete. He also has specific training in ultrasound and ultrasound-guided injections used for the treatment of arthritis and tendon injuries. He recently moved from Chicago, where he developed a thriving concussion clinic for the largest medical system in Illinois. He prides himself on communication, from explaining the diagnosis to involving the patient in their treatment plan. He is passionate about returning his patients to what they love doing as quickly and safely as possible.Dr. Lessman is a team physician for the Seattle Thunderbirds hockey team and works with athletes from high schools and colleges throughout the Seattle metropolitan area. Outside of medicine, Dr. Lessman enjoys spending time with his wife and three young boys. He's been active his whole life and loves baseball, dance, watching all sports, and being in and on the water. Dr. Lessman is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Tendinitis, Osteoarthritis, Bursitis, and Hypermobile Joints.

Michael Miller is an Orthopedics provider in Enumclaw, Washington. Dr. Miller is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, Tendinitis, and Hip Replacement. Dr. Miller is currently accepting new patients.

Eric Alyea is an Orthopedics provider in Burien, Washington. Dr. Alyea is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Tendinitis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, and Frozen Shoulder. Dr. Alyea is currently accepting new patients.

Nathan Bowers, MD, is originally from Peoria, Illinois. He spent summers growing up working on his grandpa's farm and learned that he loves working with his hands. He has been going to the Rocky Mountain West for several weeks each year since he was five to ski, raft, and enjoy the outdoors. Dr. Bowers is so excited to be permanently located in the Northwest to enjoy all it has to offer. Dr. Bowers' philosophy as a doctor is that he wants to provide the highest quality, evidence-based care for his patients. He advises patients as he would a family member and helps guide them to the decision that fits them best. He wants to be able to care for all of his patient's upper extremity problems from shoulder to fingertip.His advice to patients regarding maintaining a healthy lifestyle is that it is important to stay active and moving. The time to seek care is when the problem is interfering with work or recreation. Dr. Bowers loves his job because he gets to help people get back to their occupation, their hobbies, and the things that make life worth living.In his free time, Dr. Bowers loves spending time with his wife, a pediatrician, and son, exploring the outdoors, and trying new cuisines and foods. Dr. Bowers is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Rhizarthrosis, Dupuytren Contracture, and Trigger Thumb.

Mary Kate Thayer, MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery. She cares for both adults and children.Dr. Thayer received her BA in psychology from the University of Washington and her MD from Saint Louis University School of Medicine where she graduated Alpha Omega Alpha (highest honors). She then returned home to the Northwest and completed her orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Washington. To finalize her training, she relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, and completed a fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery at the Curtis National Hand Center, one of the top fellowship programs in the country. There, she received world-class training in the treatment of both common and complex disorders of the hand and upper extremity.Dr. Thayer is published in the topics of hand, wrist, and trauma surgery and has presented much of this research at national and local meetings. In addition, she has a passion for mentoring and education. She has participated in the Perry Outreach Program and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society’s mentorship program. These programs both share a goal of inspiring young women to become leaders in orthopedic surgery.Dr. Thayer finds satisfaction in helping patients restore function of their upper extremity to return to work, family, hobbies, and sports. She works directly with patients to develop individualized care plans, both surgical and non-surgical, to achieve these goals. This is achieved through open communication with patients and education about the diagnosis and treatment options. She prides herself on a thorough and thoughtful approach to each patient. She has a special interest in fractures, sports injuries, arthritis, and nerve conditions of the upper extremity.Dr. Thayer is a local Washingtonian. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Lew, and her daughter. She is an avid runner, cooking enthusiast, and Seattle sports fan. Dr. Thayer is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. Her top areas of expertise are Tennis Elbow, Rhizarthrosis, Ganglion Cyst, and Trigger Thumb.

Peters T. Otlans, MD, MPH, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine injuries, arthroscopic surgery, shoulder and knee replacement surgery and fracture care. He performs arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, knee, hip, and elbow, addressing cartilage, ligament, and tendon injuries in a minimally invasive fashion.Dr. Otlans believes in the importance of building relationships and earning trust with his patients. He focuses on developing individualized care plans after listening carefully to his patient's needs and goals and clearly communicating all treatment options.Dr. Otlans grew up in Washington State and has a passion for international medical work and orthopaedic research. Prior to returning to the community, he served as an assistant team physician with Portland State athletics and then with Philadelphia's professional and college sports teams. He serves as team orthopedic surgeon for Highline Public Schools and an editor of Arthroscopy</em> and the American Journal of Sports Medicine</em>, the premier orthopedic sports medicine journals in the country. Dr. Otlans is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Small Patella Syndrome, Sandhaus Ben-Ami Syndrome, Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, and Osteotomy.

Frederic Johnstone is an Orthopedics provider in Bonney Lake, Washington. Dr. Johnstone is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Ganglion Cyst, Dupuytren Contracture, Hemangiopericytoma, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Dr. Johnstone is currently accepting new patients.

Anthony VanBergeyk, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon whose clinical interests include virtually all aspects of orthopedic foot and ankle surgery, traumatic injuries, knee arthroscopy as well as knee and hip replacement surgery. He feels blessed to be a part of the greater Puyallup medical community and he looks forward to providing individualized, patient-centered education and healthcare for many years to come.Dr. VanBergeyk was born and raised in British Columbia, Canada. He moved with his family to the Pacific Northwest in 2005. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, golfing, camping, and hiking. He is also an avid sports fan. He is actively involved in his local church as well as serving at the South Hill food bank and volunteering at his children’s school and Girl Scout activities. Dr. Vanbergeyk is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Achilles Tendon Rupture, Tendinitis, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.

Clayton B. Brandes, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of patients with foot and ankle problems, as well as fractures of the upper and lower extremities. He stays up to date on current and emerging technologies and treatments for athletic and traumatic injuries, acquired deformities and arthritis of the foot and ankle. He believes that patients need to be active participants in their care. He thoroughly explains an injury or condition so that patients are better able to select their best treatment options and more actively participate in their rehabilitation and recovery. Dr. Brandes enjoys spending time with his family, skiing, hiking, cooking, and perfecting the art of barbecue. He was a competitive runner through high school and into college and is still an avid runner. Dr. Brandes is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ganglion Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Achilles Tendon Rupture, Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis, and Bursitis.