Best Osteoarthritis of Foot Doctors in Wasilla, AK

George S. Rhyneer, MD, is a doctor specializing in orthopedics, practicing in Anchorage, Alaska. As an orthopedic surgeon, he focuses on injuries and diseases of your body's musculoskeletal system, including your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves that allow you to move, work, and be active.Dr. Rhyneer is a member of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, which indicates board- certificiation in this specialty.Dr. Rhyneer completed Residency at San Francisco Residency Program, and attended Medical School at University of Washington.

Dr. Haughom is a fellowship-trained hip and knee surgeon, focusing on complex hip & knee reconstructions as well as total hip and knee replacements. A dedicated and well-published researcher, he stays at the forefront minimally invasive, muscle-sparing techniques that help patients recover faster and experience less pain. He is devoted to his patients' well-being and always explores non-surgical treatments first. If surgery is indicated, he has the ability to perform different kinds of surgeries – each customized to best fit the patient's lifestyle and specific musculoskeletal structure. Dr. Haughom graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California with an undergraduate degree in Computer Science. His subsequent IT positions were in the healthtech industry, where he helped companies provide faster, cheaper, more accessible care. But he felt compelled to do more and to provide direct care. He enrolled in medical school at the University of California San Francisco and went on to complete his internship and orthopedic residency at the renowned Rush University in Chicago, Ill. He then completed a fellowship in Adult Joint Reconstruction from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. He and his wife came to Alaska in 2017 and knew immediately it would be the place they would make their home. In November of 2020, he took the opportunity to join OPA and today is a vital member of its joint replacement team.

Dr. Iain Elliott is a surgeon who holds fellowships in both Orthopaedic Spine and Trauma from Harborview Medical Center at the University of Washington. He earned his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine, where he was recognized with multiple honors and awards for his service and research. Service is in Dr. Elliott's blood. Prior to discovering medicine, he worked in Costa Rica as an engineer. He realized he wanted to work directly with people, not in front of a computer. His engineering mind naturally gravitated to orthopedics focusing on the physics of human movement and structure and he enrolled in medical school. During his time there, he led service projects in Haiti and Peru, directed an equal access clinic on campus, and was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency in Salt Lake City and did fellowships in both spine and trauma in Seattle. Looking for a place he and his wife could raise their family "with friendly, open people who look out for each other" and access to the outdoors, they were excited to have the opportunity to settle in Alaska. Today at OPA, Dr. Elliott is a vital member of the back, neck and spine team. He takes care of complex traumatic injuries including pelvis and acetabular fractures, as well as complete care of the spine. He is interested in pushing the envelope with minimally invasive techniques and seeking improved ways of treating spine pathology. Outside of the medicine, he spends time with his young kids and looks forward to introducing them to the outdoor life fishing, hiking, paddling, surfing, snowboarding, and exploring "through experience and respect for the ocean and mountains."

Born and raised in Montana, Dr. Jennifer R. Jansma graduated from Billings West High School in 1991. Inspired to "see the world", Dr. Jansma headed West to Forest Grove, Oregon where she attended Pacific University and completed a degree in Medical Technology at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. Prior to entering Podiatric Medical School at California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco in 1998, Dr. Jansma ventured further and worked as a general Medical Technologist at the North Hawaiian Community Hospital in Kamuela, Hawaii. In 2002, Dr. Jansma was accepted into the University of Texas Health Science Residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at San Antonio, Texas where she completed a year focusing on Diabetes, Peripheral Vascular Disease and limb salvage. Dr. Jansma then completed a 24 month Podiatric Surgical Residency at Scott & White Hospital, affiliate of Texas A&M, in Temple, Texas in June of 2005. Then in October and November of that same year, she completed a 2 month AO Orthopedic Trauma Fellowship in Mainz, Germany. After completing her residency, Dr. Jansma journeyed northwest to Anchorage, Alaska, where she is currently in practice with Dr. Heilala at Alaska Foot and Ankle Specialists.

Born and raised in Alaska, Dr. Matt A. Heilala attended Soldotna High School and graduated in 1988. Dr. Heilala was a commercial fisherman for many years in his families small business. Although he enjoyed this aspect of his life, it was clear that this was not the direction for him. Having personally undergone foot surgery and having an uncle in Michigan who was a foot doctor, Dr. Heilala became interested in the world of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery early on. Dr. Heilala's formal undergraduate education began at the University of Oregon and was completed at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1991. Dr. Heilala then entered Podiatric Medical School at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, where he graduated Valedictorian and Summa Cum Laude in 1995. That same year Dr. Heilala was accepted into the Northern Virginia Podiatric Residency Program, considered one of the top Surgical Foot and Ankle residencies in the Nation. He additionally received Plastic Surgical Training in lower extremity reconstructive and limb salvage surgery at Georgetown University Hospital under the direction of one of worlds foremost experts. After completing his residency in 1998, Dr. Heilala and his family moved back to their home of Alaska where he is currently in private practice at AFAS. Dr. Heilala has written research articles for The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery and has given many lectures on these topics Nationally.