Dr. Sears' Team
As one of the few remaining independent practices in the region, Western Orthopaedics takes pride in our ability to prioritize our patients’ well-being above all else. We commit to always doing what best for our patients and upholding the ethical standards set by our practice decades ago.
The Denver Shoulder team has the privilege of serving thousands of patients in our clinic each year, and our dedication to delivering exceptional shoulder care has allowed us to assemble a team of highly specialized providers. Focused on treating shoulder, elbow, and athletic injuries, our team has the unique expertise to give you the best possible experience and outcome. At our practice, the patient always comes first, and we are determined to provide the best shoulder care tailored to meet your individual needs.
Fellowship
Teaching is a passion
We’re very passionate providing extraordinary shoulder care, collecting the outcomes of our patients and publishing research on our outcomes. We are also passionate about advancing the care of shoulders for future patients by teaching other orthopedic surgeons and sharing our knowledge. We do this through our Western Orthopaedics and Rose Medical Center Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship which is a one-year training for an orthopedic surgeon looking to special specialize in shoulder care.
Current Fellow
Dr. B. Gage Griswold, M.D. (2023-2024)
Dr. B. Gage Griswold, MD came to the Western Orthopaedics and Rose Medical Center Fellowship from a history of prior medical training in the Southern U.S. Dr. Griswold attended medical school at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and his internship and residency was completed at Augusta University Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Auburn to earn his undergraduate degree.
Apparently, Dr. Griswold was looking to get away from the highly competitive football culture of the SEC and he became the 2nd Shoulder and Elbow fellow at Western Orthopaedics. His residency training thoroughly prepared him for the variety and challenges in the type of shoulder and elbow pathology he is looking forward to managing during his fellowship year. Dr. Griswold also has an interest in research having participated in the publication of 6 manuscripts related to shoulder pathology during his residency.
In his free time, Dr. Griswold may be trying to get out of town to spend time with his wife who is in fellowship in at Walter Reed Medical Center or playing with his dog or out on the golf course. He is looking forward to taking advantage of his time in Colorado by spending some time at the numerous ski areas the state has to offer.
Previous Fellow
Dr. Brian Davis, M.D. (2022-2023)
Physician Assistants
Our goal is to treat all patients who need shoulder care in Denver, across the Rocky Mountain Region and the country. Our priority is for our patients to have access to immediate care when needed. We promise that you will see a shoulder specialist who is capable of diagnosing your injury and going over a treatment plan. Our physician assistants are trained and experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder injuries. They are vital to all patients’ care from an initial visit to post-operative care and bone health consultations. Learn more about our physician assistants and our entire clinical care team below.
Jake Hopkins
Jake was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM before moving to Lawrence, KS to attend the University of Kansas where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with a Pre-Med concentration. After graduation, he went to work as an emergency department technician in Kansas City before being accepted to the Red Rocks Community College Physician Assistant Program in Lakewood, Colorado. He received his Master’s Degree and spent five years working in emergency medicine within Denver Metro. Jake then spent 2 years in orthopedic surgery in Lone Tree, CO before joining Dr. Ben Sears and the team at Western Orthopedics.
Jake and his wife have 3 young children who occupy much of their free time. He enjoys any activities that take him outdoors, with his strongest passion being scuba diving. He is an active member of the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants and has precepted PA students from both Red Rocks Community College and Rocky Vista University PA programs.
Clinical Care Team
Our clinic team consists of a medical assistants, a clinic scheduler, a surgery scheduler, and clinical coordinator. Their duties include answering questions, preparing patients for their upcoming visits, scheduling tests, obtaining insurance approvals, and communicating to ensure each patient receives the best care possible. They are all incredibly valuable parts of our team and a large part of the patient journey in our practice.
Clinical Outcomes Team
Libby Mauter
Libby has been working with Drs. Hatzidakis and Sears since 2015, helping to build the shoulder and elbow research program. Prior to joining the team at Western Orthopaedics, Libby worked at Presbyterian St. Luke’s (PSL) Medical Center, first as a Physical Therapist then as the Director of Orthopedic and Spine Program Development. Libby’s research experience started at Medical College of Virginia (Virginia Commonwealth University) while working on her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy. At PSL, in collaboration with program physicians, she directed the research departments of the Denver Clinic for Extremities at Risk and Pediatric Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Outside of her work at Western, Libby chairs the Limb Preservation Patient Assistance committee, is a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, spends as much time as possible bicycling or skiing (depending on the season) and is trying to learn to play the mandolin.
Mallory Boyd
Mallory joined the Western Ortho team in December of 2022. She earned an Exercise Science Bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University, and earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of Delaware. At the beginning of her research career Mallory was the manager of the Doubly Labeled Water Laboratory at the University of Colorado AMC. With her transition into the field of orthopedics, she plans to use her knowledge of research techniques and chronic disease management to contribute to the research team. In her spare time, Mallory enjoys being outside running or hiking. She and her fiancée have the goal of visiting all the National parks in the US!