I was born and educated in Salt Lake City, Utah with stops for further education in New York City, Laramie (Wyo) and Iowa City (Iowa). My medical school career was highlighted by being in the Internal Medicine Honors program at the University of Utah with George Cartwright, MD as a mentor. Further mentoring occurred in Rheumatology with John R. Ward, MD-one of the pioneers of the field. I also worked directly with Cecil Samuelson, MD, H. James Williams, MD and Daniel O. Clegg, MD who remains as chairman of the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Utah. I have a clinical appointment as Associate Professor of Medicine in the division. During my fellowship which ended in 1981, I spent several months of elective time in Pediatric Rheumatology with intensive work with Virgil Hansen, MD and Bram Bernstein, MD at LA Children's Hospital. I began private consultative rheumatology practice in June of 1981 based at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake with interests in rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoporosis and pediatric diseases. I headed the Pediatric Arthritis Clinic at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake from 1981 until John Bohnsack's arrival at the University of Utah gave us a pediatric trained rheumatologist. We continued to attend in the clinic together until 1996 when John took over management and my pediatric practice moved to my private office exclusively. I retain my passionate interest in the pediatric patient and their families with an optimistic eye to the future in this field considering the recent advances in biologics which have improved outcomes in children with JRA and other rheumatic diseases. My current practice emphasis has expanded to include more time in osteoporosis education and in June 2001 I directed a national conference reviewing the coming treatments for osteoporosis entitled "Beyond the Basics-Current and Future Treatment of OP". Interests in spondyloarthropathies, osteoarthritis and other connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma and inflammatory muscle diseases are also among my interests in the fascinating field of rheumatology. My hobbies include cycling, cross country skiing, hiking and my Nikon 90S accompanies me everywhere. I am married to expert flyfisherwoman, Suzanne Van Gytenbeek who has varied interests in the arts and fashion design. We are very much looking forward to rides on the Greenbelt, hikes in the foothills and skiing at Bogus. Our four children are spreading to the winds with Ashley, 26, working for Ritz Carlton in hotel management: Tyler, 24, teaching skiing at Snowbird and guiding on the Colorado from Moab; Abigail, 22, mother of Eoghan (a most intelligent and handsome grandchild) and published photographer and Peter, 17, history savant and high school senior. My goals in joining Intermountain Orthopaedics are to combine the highest level of modern diagnosis and therapeutics with the old fashioned values of listening and treatment of the patient and family as valued members of the therapeutic team. We must remember to counter the advances in technology with connections on a human, compassionate level. I am impressed by the commitment at IO to this philosophy and very much look forward to beginning my practice in Treasure Valley in August 2001. Click for more doctor bios