Dr. Warren B. Howe

Jonathan B. Shafer, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in surgery to the upper extremity. His clinical interests include reconstructive surgery to the shoulder, forearm and hand, as well as arthroscopic surgery to the upper extremity, and total shoulder and elbow replacement, and upper extremity trauma. The greatest pleasure of his job is making his patients feel special and cared for. He believes that since so many people are scared and afraid to see a doctor, it is imperative to make every patient feel comfortable.He comes from a highly-educated and scientific family spanning two continents. His American father was a petroleum engineer for ExxonMobil, while his Ghana-born mother was an educator and counseling professional. In the Shafer household, education and achievement were highly-prized values. Science was always very prominent in his house, so he always knew that he was going to do something in science. After graduating with a degree in biochemistry from Rice University, he took a job developing a new drug to treat psoriasis for Allergan Pharmaceuticals. But he soon decided he wanted to go to medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Shafer is highly rated in 10 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Dupuytren Contracture, Ganglion Cyst, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Rhizarthrosis.

Ryan Vellinga is a Sports Medicine specialist and an Orthopedics provider in Mount Vernon, Washington. Dr. Vellinga is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Tennis Elbow, Tendinitis, Frozen Shoulder, and Osteoarthritis. Dr. Vellinga is currently accepting new patients.

Christopher Van Hofwegen (“Van-Hof-Wagon” or “Dr. Van”), MD, joined our office in August of 2010. He graduated from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and continued his residency as a Hawkeye. He finished his Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia. Dr. Van Hofwegen moved to Whatcom County with his wife, who is originally from Nooksack and is a practicing Family Physician. They are the parents of three children. Dr. Van Hofwegen is highly rated in 5 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Frozen Shoulder, Tendinitis, Bursitis, and Hip Replacement.