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For immediate release:  Nov. 1, 2007

HRMC welcomes new orthopedic surgeon

Haywood Regional Medical Center welcomes Dr. Gerald King, an orthopedic surgeon, to its medical staff. He will be joining Drs. Chris Catterson and Jeffrey Chain at Western Carolina Orthopedic Specialists on Dec. 3.

King and his wife, Edith, have vacationed in the mountains of Western North Carolina numerous times and enjoy the cooler weather and outdoors. However, he said he is not coming to Haywood County to retire, but rather to serve.

“When I heard about an opportunity in orthopedic surgery in Haywood County, we became excited. The community seems vibrant and growing, and we are anxious to become a part of it,” King said.

“There appears to be a definite need for orthopedic care and I believe that I will fit in nicely with the existing orthopedic surgeons,” he said. “The hospital has assured me that they are interested in expanding orthopedic services and I feel that I bring experience, expertise and enthusiasm to make that happen.”

King said he knew as a young boy he would likely become a doctor. His father was a family practitioner, and he became well acquainted with orthopedic surgeons when he broke his leg three times during his youth.

“My personality tends to enjoy things that need fixing or repairing, and then moving on to another problem. Orthopedics tends to be that way when you put someone back together, replace a worn out joint, or repair something they have injured,” King said.

“Once they heal, they are then able to resume activities that they enjoy. That is very gratifying for both surgeon and the patient. It becomes a team effort, with both parties motivated to make it work,” he said.

King received a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1974 from Andrews University and his doctor of medicine degree in 1977 from Loma Linda University, School of Medicine. He received his postgraduate training through an internal medicine residency and orthopedic residency at Loma Linda University, School of Medicine.

He was in general orthopedic practice in Ukiah, Calif., from 1982 to 1993, followed by a brief practice in Bakersville, Calif., and a solo private practice in Calhoun, Ga., from 1993 until relocating to Haywood County.

“I am grateful that, after 25 years of doing orthopedic surgery, I am still excited to get up in the morning and go to work.

“I look at my years of experience as a plus, because I have the experience that can only come with time. That allows me to make decisions with patients that are not simply fads or advertising hype, but based on strong scientific evidence,” King said.

“To have seen and lived through the evolution of orthopedic surgery over the past 25 years enables me to bring a perspective that I feel is very beneficial for my patients,” he said.

“That does not mean that I am stuck in the past. In fact, I do a few things the way I did 25 years ago. But, having that experience to know what does and does not work, I feel, is invaluable,” King said.