Olympic Medical Physicians welcomed physician assistant Sarah Heck to its orthopedic specialty team, OMP officials announced last week.

Heck will care for orthopedic patients at the Orthopedic Specialty Clinics in Sequim and Port Angeles.

Heck grew up in small-town Iowa and did her clinical training at the Union College Physician Assistant Program in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her ties to rural communities made the Olympic Peninsula a natural fit to live and work, she said.

“Growing up in a small town, I appreciate the community-centered environment that Olympic Medical Center and the Olympic Peninsula area offers,” Heck said. “Everyone works together as a team to serve our community, and I knew that I would be well supported here as part of the orthopedic team.

“I was drawn to the Olympic Peninsula’s natural beauty and endless opportunities to explore and live an active lifestyle.”

As a physician assistant with a specialty in orthopedics, Heck said she enjoys sharing her knowledge with patients and helping them live a healthy, active life.

“I am happy to play a part in improving my patient’s quality of life starting with being a listening ear, answering any questions or concerns, in addition to discussing and offering options for treatment,” Heck said.

“It is very rewarding and fulfilling helping patients return to their daily activities they most enjoy.”

Heck joins a team of orthopedic providers including surgeons Drs. Dirk Gouge, Tom Herschmiller, Dustin Larson, Loren Larson and Adam Cota, as well as the rest of the orthopedic team.

She treats various conditions and injuries affecting bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons, including arthritis, fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains.

For more information about orthopedics at OMC, visit olympicmedical.org/orthopedics.