This news release has been archived. View current Government of Yukon news.

# Expansion of orthopedics program at Whitehorse General Hospital

A second surgeon has joined Yukon Hospitals’ orthopedic program at Whitehorse General Hospital. The in-territory orthopedic program brings specialized care closer to home, improving access and continuity of care for patients, and reducing travel time and costs for families. It also reduces pressures on medical travel as well as demands on visiting specialists.

With two surgeons, the program now provides emergency and on-call services and is better able to manage wait times for total knee replacements.

Dr. Scott Westberg, who specializes in lower leg extremities, has joined Dr. Curtis Myden at the Surgeon’s Clinic at Whitehorse General Hospital. Dr. Westberg is originally from Yukon, and was a recipient of the Yukon Medical Education Bursary.

The name of the bursary has been corrected and updated.

> We are excited to welcome Dr. Westberg to the orthopedics program at the Whitehorse General Hospital. Since we introduced the first resident orthopedic surgeon in 2017, more Yukoners have been getting the care they need, closer to home. We’ve reduced the number of Yukoners waiting for consultations and surgeries, and the addition of Dr. Westberg will help us continue this important work.

> Expanding the orthopedic program means more Yukoners get the surgery they need, when they need it. Now, even more patients can prepare for, have, and recover from these important operations right here in Yukon. We are proud to partner with physicians and the Government of Yukon and confident this expansion will help us transform orthopedic care for years to come.

> It’s exciting to have Dr. Westberg join me. He brings expertise in foot, ankle and knee replacement and trauma surgery. We plan to continue to improve and advance orthopedic care for Yukoners.

Quick facts

- Orthopedic surgeons work with patients who have disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles.

- Since launching the local program in 2017, the waitlist for total knee replacements has decreased from 24 months to 15 months and the number of patients waiting for an orthopedic consult was reduced by 85 per cent.

Media contact

Stewart Burnett
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0480
stewart.burnett@gov.yk.ca

Clarissa Wall
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-667-3010
clarissa.wall@gov.yk.ca

Matt Davidson
Communications, Yukon Hospitals
867-393-8698
matthew.davidson@gov.yk.ca

News release #:
20-025