Meet Dr. Chandra, Our Newest Foot and Ankle Surgical Fellow What does an Advanced Foot and Ankle fellowship mean? A fellowship is a period of training that a physician may undertake after completing their residency. This is done in order to gain further exposure in a specific area of interest and to truly master that specialty. The length of the fellowship can vary, but it is usually at least one year long. During this time, the fellow is fully licensed and acts as an attending physician in their specific field of medicine. A fellowship in advanced foot and ankle surgery entails a period of training in which the fellow gains exposure to complex pathologies affecting the lower extremities as well as the methods and techniques utilized to appropriately manage them. These pathologies can range from forefoot abnormalities such as bunions to severe foot and ankle deformities requiring complete reconstruction to help relieve pain and improve function. It builds upon the experience and knowledge gained during residency and provides the fellow with the tools needed to tackle the most difficult and complex foot and ankle issues. About Dr. Chandra Dr. Amar Chandra was born and raised in [...]

Most Common Shoulder Injuries   Dr. Kazemi is one of the only board-certified fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons in the Pacific Northwest. We’re so glad to have him at Washington Orthopaedic! Dr. Kazemi treats all shoulder conditions, but here are some of the most common injuries that he sees:  Shoulder Arthritis  Shoulder Arthritis is one of the most common shoulder issues that people have. Arthritis is typically defined as joint inflammation that could promote damage or loss of cartilage surrounding the bone. Without the cartilage that surrounds each joint, two bones will rub against each other during movement which creates pain for the patient.   The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which typically develops in older patients from normal wear and tear of the bones.  Another form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, which is connected to rheumatoid disease. Because rheumatoid disease is an autoimmune disorder, the body attacks the tissue that surrounds the bones, which causes the destruction of cartilage in joints. When the cartilage is destroyed, it causes pain and stiffness in the joints that most arthritis patients suffer from. A particular type of arthritis, called Cuff-tear arthropathy, damages cartilage only on one side [...]

Washington Orthopaedic Center would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the “Milestone” years of service individuals listed below.  The loyalty and dedication to Washington Orthopaedic Center and our patients does not go unnoticed and is greatly appreciated. ? 2021 Years of Service ? Ashleigh Linn One Year of Service Kimberly Soares One Year of Service Chloe Whitaker One Year of Service Beau Boire One Year of Service Kalie Potter One Year of Service Jennifer Brown One Year of Service Beatriz Mejia One Year of Service Nicole Spencer One Year of Service Erin Anderson One Year of Service Dyanna Ramez One Year of Service Kelsie Morang One Year of Service Nikki Schroeder One Year of Service Denise Muller Three Years of Service Hailey Dickinson Three Years of Service Briana Reyes Three Years of Service Rodell Sunga Five Years of Service Debbie Moberg Ten Years of Service Christy Caple Ten Years of Service Traci King Fifteen Years of Service Nikki Wallis [...]

We recently interviewed our 2021 Washington Orthopaedic Center Employee Excellence (WOCEE) recipients. These employees are first nominated by fellow staff members and then chosen by the doctors on a monthly basis. Here’s what they had to say! Rodell Sunga What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center?  Facilities Coordinator (Maintenance) and IT What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic Center? I like the flexibility in my work schedule What is your favorite memory so far while working at WOC? My favorite memory is the completion of the new roof. Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? I love to spend time with my wife doing anything, even lounging around. If you were an animal, what would you be? I think I would be a gorilla because they are gentle, but don’t rile them up. If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? I would want to witness the moon landing. I was only a toddler when it happened. Jodi Urich Sayad What are your job duties at Washington Orthopaedic Center? ASC RN What do you like most about working at Washington Orthopaedic [...]

Dr. Bender is to be mobilized for active duty service with the United State Army Reserves for approximately four months (mid-April 2021 to mid-August 2021). Please read his message to the patients and staff below: ??? ?????? ??? ???????, ?????????? ??? ????????, ?? ???? ?? ??? ????, ? ?? ? ?ℎ??????? ?? ?ℎ? ?????? ?????? ???? ????????. ????????????, ?? ??????? ?? ?????????? ?? ???????, ? ?? ????????? ??? ?????? ???? ???????. ??? ?? ?ℎ??? ????? ℎ?????? ?? ?? ???????ℎ??? ???? ???????. ? ℎ??? ???????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?ℎ? ?????? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ????????? ???????? ???????. ? ???? ?? ????????? ?? ???-????? ??? ? ?????? ?? ????????????? ???? ????ℎ?. ? ?ℎ???? ?????? ?? ???-??????, ??? ??????????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???. ? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ????????? ????????? ?? ?? ????????? ??? ?????????? ?ℎ? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ???????? ??????? ?ℎ? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ?? ???????. ? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ℎ???????? ???????????? ?? ?? ???????? ??? ???? ????????????? ?????? ?ℎ?? ???? ?? ???????????. ???? ???????, ???ℎ?????? ???ℎ??????? ?????? ???? ???????? ?? ??????? ??? ???ℎ ?????? ???? ?ℎ??? ? ?? ????. ?ℎ??? ??? ??? ???? ????????, ??? ? ????? ?????????? ?? ???? ????????? ?????? ???? ???? ????ℎ? ?? ?? ?????????. [...]

Dr. Namdar (Nami) Kazemi originally set out to be a biomedical engineer, following in his father’s footsteps. However, once his coursework turned to Medicine, he knew that his true passion was in the medical field and caring for people.  He chose orthopedics, as it relates closely to biomedical engineering and the function of the human body’s joints, with the hope to help all of his patients in getting back to what they love to do.   He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland. Following that he spent one year at the prestigious National Institutes of Health and conducted research studies in the field of biophysics. He then went on to The George Washington University and earned his medical degree. Subsequently he completed one year of orthopaedic traumatology research and five years of orthopaedic residency training at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.  For additional training & to further his education, Dr. Kazemi completed a shoulder and elbow fellowship at the Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. He trained under world renowned shoulder surgeon, Evan Flatow. His other mentors included internationally recognized surgeons: Leesa Galatz, Michael Hausman, and Bradford Parsons.  Dr. Kazemi has published more than 14 peer-reviewed articles, 4 [...]