KH . ORG 13 Edward Rooney, M.D. Kootenai Clinic Orthopedics Tell us abit aboutyouandyour family. I was born and raised in Clarkston, Washington, where my parents still reside. I traveled out east to Michigan and North Carolina for my medical training and could not wait to get back to the Pacific Northwest to begin my career. I have a beautiful fiancée, Kelly, and a wonderful golden retriever, named Jerri. Whydidyoupickyour specialty? I have always been interested in putting things together, like puzzles, and working with my hands in general. When I first encountered orthopedic surgery, it was a match made in heaven. What canpatients expectwhen theyfirst meetwithyou? My job as a surgeon is to make surgery a last resort. Heading to the doctor is no small feat, and I know very few people who look forward to it. My goal is to make you feel well cared for and happy you took the time out of your day to come get the answers to what is ailing you and have a concrete plan in place for treatment moving forward. What canpatients expectwhen theyfirst meetwithyou? Patients should expect a warm and welcoming personality and a provider who truly listens to their concerns. I prioritize establishing a good rapport in order to enable open communication and efficient problem-solving. What are someofyour hobbies? Anything outdoors! Alpine and cross-country skiing, mountain biking, dirt biking, moto trials, sailing, hiking, backpacking, golfing, fishing, hunting—the list goes on. What drewyou toKootenai Health? Being from a large city, it’s easy to appreciate smalltown values. This is evident in the pride the community has in its hospital system. Everyone I’ve talked to has had nothing but good things to say about Kootenai Health. We look forward to further establishing our family in this beautiful and welcoming community. What isyour favoritehealthy tip? Eat real food and eat less of it. Get your heart rate up a few times a week. Enjoy life and do good things for other people. Wheredidyou receiveyourmedical degree? I received my master’s degree in physician assistant studies from University of St. Francis in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For the four years prior to coming here, I practiced in a busy cardiac surgery program in Rockford, Illinois. What are someofyour hobbies? Hiking, golfing, tennis, pickleball, reading books for pleasure, walking the dog and taking care of the yard. What drewyou toKootenai Health? I appreciate the community environment with excellent health care professionals in every specialty and a desire to create an inclusive environment for healing. What isyour favoritehealthy tip? Take a look at your shoes. If the sole is getting worn down or worn unevenly, you need a new pair of shoes or possibly an insert to balance you out. It can be as simple as a good supportive shoe to start making your feet feel better. Wheredidyou receiveyourmedical degree? I did my medical school at Wayne State University in Detroit and orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Michigan. I completed a one-year fellowship in foot and ankle orthopedic surgery at OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, North Carolina. —Continued on page 14
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