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Our Doctors

At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, the physicians and their teams are recognized as some of the best in their respective fields. That's why our providers are trusted by locals and favored by athletes. As the first orthopaedic clinic in Eagle County, our doctors have mountains of experience treating people just like you.

Our Physicians

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Dr. Ernest Braxton

Neurosurgery, Back,
& Spine

Dr. Ernest E. Braxton Jr. is a Board Certified neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive outpatient spine surgery and artificial disc technology.

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Dr. John Paul Elton

Foot, Ankle, & Orthopaedic Trauma

Dr. Elton's fellowship training has given him the expertise to handle the full spectrum of foot and ankle disorders: from sports injuries and fractures to nerve and tendon disorders, deformities, and chronic pain.

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Dr. Scott Raub

Spine, Back, Neck, Physical Medicine, & Rehabilitation

As a physiatrist, Dr. Raub uses a variety of diagnostic tools to pinpoint the true source of spinal pain, providing the shortest route to the most effective treatment plan.

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Dr. Henry Yu

Total Joint Replacement: Hip and Knee, Joint Revision: Hip and Knee, Fracture Care, & Orthopaedic Trauma

Along with offering direct anterior hip and minimally invasive total knee replacements, Dr. Yu's sub-specialty is providing joint revision work for younger patients.

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Dr. Richard Cunningham

Knee, Shoulder, Sports Medicine, & Orthopaedic Trauma

Dr. Cunningham is a full-service knee and shoulder orthopaedic surgeon specializing in ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, meniscus preservation surgery, and shoulder instability surgery

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Dr. Matthew Gnirke

Spine, Regenerative Medicine, & Interventional Sports

Dr. Gnirke is fellowship trained in regenerative medicine. He utilizes precise musculoskeletal ultrasound and fluoroscopy to localize and treat joint, tendon, ligament, and nerve disorders.

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Dr. Max Seiter

Shoulder, Hip, Knee, Sports Medicine, Fracture Care, & Orthopaedic Trauma

Dr. Seiter's experiences as an athlete give him a deep understanding of our patients' needs. He specializes in shoulder replacement, hip arthroscopy, sports medicine, and knee pathology.

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Dr. Erik Dorf

Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hand, & Orthopaedic Trauma

Born and raised in the Vail Valley, Dr. Dorf is the team physician for Summit High School and team Summit, an active member of the US Ski & Snowboard Physician Pool, and enjoys the challenges associated with caring for high level athletes.

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Dr. Terrell Joseph

Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hand, Knee, & Orthopaedic Trauma

Dr. Joseph fully appreciates his patients are often highly motivated and driven to heal. He believes with the right care and direction, his patients are most likely to experience a full recovery.

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Dr. Bill Sterett

Knee, Shoulder, & Sports Medicine

Dr. Sterett has been the Head Team Physician for the U.S. Women's Ski Team since 1997. He also has a long history of returning athletes to the NFL, NHL, MLB, and Euro Soccer Leagues.

VSON Physicians at Middle Park Health

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Dr. Patrick Bevan

General Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, & Orthopaedic Trauma

As a physician with VSON, Dr. Bevan will work with our partners at Middle Park Health to provide high-quality, compassionate care to residents and visitors alike.

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Dr. Rick Pfeiffer

General Orthopaedics
& Sports Medicine

With over two decades of orthopaedic experience, Dr. Richard Pfeiffer provides sports high-quality care to the Colorado High Country at Middle Park Health in Grand County.

Our Emeritus Physicians

As trusted advisors, mentors and friends, our Emeritus Doctors continue to enrich our mountain communities. We take this opportunity to thank them for their service and honor their achievements.

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Dr. Paul Abbott

​One of the original “Fab Four,” Dr. Abbott joined Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery in 1993. He was the only physician in Summit and Eagle counties who devoted his elective practice exclusively to the treatment of shoulder problems.

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Dr. Lonnie Chipman

Dr. Chipman joined Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery in 1981, soon after it was founded by his partner, Dr. John Gottlieb. After 28 years with VSON, he retired in 2009.

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Dr. John Gottlieb

Dr. Gottlieb was the first orthopedic surgeon in Vail and Summit County. He founded Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery in 1979, and retired in 2011, after performing more ACL reconstructions than most surgeons in the world.

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Dr. Peter Janes

One of the original founders of Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, Dr. Janes advocated for treating patients with kindness and respect. After years of dedicated service, he retired from VSON in 2019.

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