Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) announced the arrival of Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon Matthew J. Thompson, MD, FAAOS, FAAHKS, to the Good Shepherd Orthopedics Clinic.
The clinic is located in the Good Shepherd Medical Plaza located at 620 N.W. 11th St., Suite M-201 in Hermiston.
Thompson focuses on primary and revision total joint replacement, limb salvage surgery, orthopedic trauma and orthopedic oncology, including the management of benign, malignant and metastatic tumors of the musculoskeletal system.
“We are excited to add to the team an orthopedic surgeon with the high-caliber level of skill Dr. Thompson provides,” said GSHCS President & CEO Art Mathisen. “He is a dedicated, accomplished surgeon that will make a significant impact on the health of our region.”
As a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Hip and Knee Surgeons and a member of the Connective Tissue Oncology and Musculoskeletal Tumor Societies, Thompson brings more than 10 years of experience caring for patients of all ages.
Thompson talked about the reasons he choose this field of medicine.
“I think that, like many of my colleagues who successfully earned training positions in the highly-competitive field of orthopedic surgery, I enjoyed and had opportunities to pursue multiple different career tracks; but what drew me to orthopedic surgery was the ability to help people with very tangible problems – like a broken bone, a tumor, or an arthritic joint,” he said. “I think I was ultimately drawn to the innovative, yet pragmatic solutions that orthopedic surgeons are able to offer patients, in real time, allowing them to recover, often with normal or nearly normal functionality from injuries that were once life-altering, if not life-threatening.”
Thompson studied biochemistry at the University of Kansas prior to attending the University of Kansas School of Medicine where he completed medical school and was honored with the Best Student Recognition of Achievement in Foundations of Medicine and inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center where he was the recipient of the Award for Excellence for Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to the Orthopedic Residency Program and was also nominated to the Resident Leadership Forum and recognized as an Emerging Leader by the American Orthopedic Association. He completed a fellowship at the University of Washington where he was recruited to remain on faculty as Assistant Professor and Fellowship Program Director, caring for patients at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
After serving the greater Pacific Northwest for five years, Thompson moved to Oregon with his young family.
“With three growing children and two dogs at home, my family and I took stock of our aspirations and bandwidths, and ultimately decided to seek a different work-life balance,” he said. “We are excited to continue our adventures in Oregon and make a positive impact here.”
His goal at Good Shepherd is to continue providing outstanding care and attentiveness to his patients’ needs.
“I think what we are fundamentally choosing to prioritize at Good Shepherd Orthopedics is supporting individual patients making personalized and informed decisions about their musculoskeletal care,” Thompson said. “I think we succeed when teamwork and collaboration result in attentive, comprehensive, and high-quality care.”
This patient-centered care is a passion of Thompson’s that aligns with Good Shepherd’s “Patients First” focus.
“The solutions to many musculoskeletal ailments may seem relatively straightforward on paper in the current era,” he said. “But I enjoy learning about the nuances impacting any one patient’s personal experience, such as their health, their support, their aspirations and risk tolerances; and, most importantly, how their condition impacts their quality of life – so that we can, together, decide which treatments may or may not be right for them.”
Thompson joins Drs. Kyle Duncan (podiatrist), Trey Rigert (physiatrist) and James Whittum (orthopedic surgeon) in the Good Shepherd Orthopedics Clinic where they are all welcoming new patients.
To schedule an appointment, call 541.289.7075 or request an appointment online. To learn more about Dr. Thompson’s services, visit the Good Shepherd website.
