Brief History Edward M. Voke, M.D., a renowned spine surgeon, founded the practice in 1966 after practicing for two years with the Public Health Service in Alaska and after completing his surgical residency in Ohio. In those days, there were only 3 orthopedic surgeons practicing in the Anchorage area. His medical-surgical expertise and good humor have improved the quality of life for thousands of grateful Alaskans.
In 2001 Dr. Voke transitioned control and leadership of the practice to his colleague and friend Robert J. ?R.J.? Hall, M.D., a young, highly regarded orthopedic surgeon from Iowa who had been living and practicing in Alaska for several years. Within a short time, they were joined by James M. Eule, M.D. a fellowship trained spine surgeon from Colorado, Eugene M. Chang, M.D. a fellowship trained foot and ankle surgeon from Anchorage, William J. Mills, M.D. former associate professor at the University of Washington Medical School, also from Anchorage, Marc J. Kornmesser, M.D. a fellowship trained hand and upper extremity surgeon from Detroit and Christopher J. Manion, M.D. former Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at Alaska Native Health from Anchorage, each with complimenting surgical interests and expertise.
New Office Facility Opened In August of 2006, OPA, in partnership with Alaska owned Venture Development Group, completed construction of their new 60,000 square foot medical facility at 3801 Lake Otis Parkway in Anchorage. This beautiful new three-story facility offers a complete array of orthopedic and other medical services in the heart of the Anchorage medical district. In addition to OPA?s 20,000 square foot, state-of-the-art clinic offices located on the third floor, the facility offers on-site MRI & fluoroscopy, physical therapy services, retail pharmacy services a caf? and other services.
Prompt Access ? Walk In Clinic In January of 2008, OPA opened the first and only walk-in, extended hours musculoskeletal clinic in Alaska. Orthopedic Prompt Access makes it possible for anyone who suffers from a non-life threatening injury or other muscle, bone or joint condition to simply walk in without an appointment or doctor?s referral. This is a tremendous convenience and cost saving for those who find it difficult to wait for an appointment with an orthopedic specialist during regular hours or too costly and time consuming to wait in a hospital emergency room only to follow up later with an orthopedic physician. Orthopedic Prompt Access is open between noon and 8:00pm, Monday through Friday, and Noon and 6:00pm on Saturday (closed holidays).
Rheumatologist Announced Rheumatology is one of the most underserved medical specialties in Alaska. Historically, many patients with rheumatologic conditions have been referred out of state to obtain timely care. Recently, OPA announced the addition of a full time Rheumatologist, John K. Botson, M.D. from Ohio will join the practice in August, 2009. Dr. Botson is completing his Rheumatology fellowship at the prestigious National Institute of Health in Washington, D.C. and will be one of only two practicing rheumatologists in the Anchorage Mat-Su area accepting new patients outside the Alaska Native health system.
Wide Range of Musculoskeletal Subspecialists in One Group Today, OPA offers a wide range of musculoskeletal services with including subspecialists in most every orthopedic surgery discipline and Rheumatology. OPA is the only practice in Alaska offering orthopedic injury walk-in service seven days a week. The practice includes seven board certified orthopedic surgeons (three fellowship trained), five certified orthopedic physician assistants, one of only 2 rheumatologists in the area accepting new patients and one of only three certified athletic trainers in Alaska. Subspecialty group practices foster close collaboration among the group?s providers to insure that complex cases are treated with optimal care and expertise in the most timely and efficient manner possible for the patients. OPA also compliments the larger local medical community, and the highly regarded local orthopedic medical community to make Anchorage, Alaska one of the top four areas in the nation for accessibility to orthopedic services according to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) Department of Research & Scientific Affairs, June 2006 Report.
Vision & Values The vision of the group is easy to detect from the first phone call and visit. Quality is paramount in everything, from the cadre of outstanding surgical teams to the friendly support staff, state-of-the art technology, and beautiful appearance and flow of the building and offices. Nothing is more important to OPA than delivering world-class medical care in an environment that is accessible, effective, efficient and friendly for both patients and their referring providers.
OPA physicians actively search for all reasonable alternative treatments before surgery is considered. Support staff are carefully recruited and screened for their technical competence, experience and initiative as well as their ability to be friendly and effective with people. They are empowered to serve within professional standards and guidelines and without the oppression of a micromanagement culture. Key billing and transcription services are kept local and never outsourced to offshore vendors.
The offices are unique in their comfort, patient friendly design and use of innovative technology including fully deployed electronic medical records and digital X-Ray imaging. The OPA vision and goal is to insure that every patient encounter meets or exceeds expectations in every way and that the highest standards of integrity, safety and privacy are maintained at all times. OPA is among the first orthopedic medical groups nationally to actively seek accreditation by the U.S. Centers for Medical Services (CMS) for dispensing durable orthopedic medical supplies and equipment.
Community Support OPA is equally interested in preventing injury and actively sponsors and supports many community groups and events. OPA provides sports training services at five local area high schools as well as all state high school athletic championship competitions. OPA is a proud sponsor of numerous athletic teams and frequently provides preventive medical services to athletes both before and during games. OPA is also a proud sponsor of Special Olympics Alaska and a major sponsor of two native Alaskan world-class athletes, Tazlina Mannix, world ranked Nordic Ski Champion and member of the U.S. Ski Team from Talkeetna and Callan Chythlook Sifsof, world ranked Snowboard Cross Racer Champion and member of the U.S. Ski Team from Girdwood.
OPA is also committed to supporting the local economy. Whenever possible, OPA employs and contracts with Alaska residents and Alaska owned enterprises. OPA strictly avoids outsourcing to offshore suppliers and vendors. The beautiful artwork in the office is exclusively from local resident artists.
Hospitals & Insurance OPA surgeons perform surgery with full medical staff privileges at Alaska Regional Medical Center, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Surgery Center and ASI Surgery Center.
OPA is pleased to accept most insurance plans and welcomes self pay, Blue Cross-Blue Shield (without out-of-network penalties or need for appeal), Workers Compensation, Medicare, Medicaid, Project Access and other insurance plans.
