Our team includes nine board-certified orthopedic surgeons. These specialists provide a full range of care, from office-based treatment for sprains and sports injuries to advanced medical and surgical care for arthritis, including total joint replacements.
In addition to these specialists, patients in our Joint AdVentures joint replacement program work closely with other members of our team to prepare for surgery, rehabilitation and the recovery process. This includes certified physician assistants, orthopedic nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social services specialists and home health nurses. Our physician team includes:
Christopher T. Donaldson, MD
Dr. Donaldson, a Johnstown area native, has spent the past year completing a fellowship in Orthopedic Surgery Sports Medicine at The Ohio State University, where he provided team coverage for the Ohio State Football, Men’s Ice Hockey, Baseball and Wrestling teams. Upon receiving a medical doctorate from Penn State University College of Medicine in 2002, Dr. Donaldson completed an Orthopedic Research Residency and Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of Maryland Medical Systems in Baltimore.
Brian E. Gunnlaugson, MD
Dr. Gunnlaugson is board-certified in orthopedics and specializes in the management of degenerative diseases and fractures in older adults. More than half of his practice is dedicated to hip and knee replacement surgery. A native of Canada, he completed his surgical training at Dalhousie Medical School in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is in private practice, with offices located in downtown Johnstown.
Edward B. Hill, MD
Dr. Hill is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedics and the American College of Rheumatology. A graduate of Temple Medical School, he completed his orthopedics residency at the University of Pittsburgh and furthered his studies as a Fulbright-Hayes scholar at Salhgrens University Hospital in Sweden. He is in private practice at Highlands Orthopedics.
Ian Katz, MD
Dr. Katz is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. In addition, he is a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery and the Orthopedic Surgery and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He completed a five-year orthopedic residency at the University of Toronto and joined Western Pennsylvania Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in 1993. He is an orthopedic consultant to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and St. Francis University in Loretto. He also serves as team physician for the Johnstown Chiefs hockey team.
Don A. Lowry, MD
Dr. Lowry is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. His specialty services include sports medicine, reconstructive surgery and worker's compensation injuries. He completed a five-year orthopedic residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics before joining Western Pennsylvania Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in the mid 1980s.
P. James Ridella, MD
Dr. Ridella is a native of Johnstown and has been in private practice at Valley Orthopedics since 1981. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pittsburgh and is board-certified. Dr. Ridella's specialty interests include adult reconstructive surgery, spinal surgery, arthroscopic surgery and orthopedic trauma. He is a member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America.
Richard D. Schroeder, MD
Dr. Schroeder is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Northwestern University and served his residency in orthopedic surgery at Indiana University Medical Center. In addition to his practice at Western Pennsylvania Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Schroeder serves at the Regional Trauma Resource Center at Memorial Medical Center, and as team physician and orthopedic consultant to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, St. Francis University in Loretto and several area high schools.
Vincent E. Vena, MD
As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Vena has built a broad-based practice at Western Pennsylvania Orthopedics and Sports Medicine that includes total joint replacement, sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, operative and non-operative fracture care, foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, and emergency musculo-skeletal trauma surgery. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Rochester.
Trevor W. Yardley, MD
Dr. Yardley is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He served his surgical and orthopedic residencies at McGill University in Canada and completed a clinical fellowship at the University of Toronto. He is an active member of the Memorial Medical Center medical staff.