Celebrating Dr. Hoffman’s Retirement and Introducing Dr. Moe and Dr. McGowan
August 13, 2024
After a remarkable and distinguished career in medicine, Dr. John Hoffman is retiring from his work as an orthopaedic surgeon.
An original founder of Mississippi Valley Surgery Center (MVSC), Dr. Hoffman practiced orthopaedics in the Quad Cities for nearly 40 years. Through the support of area physicians, including Dr. Hoffman, MVSC opened its doors in Davenport in 1996 with the goal of providing a convenient, patient-centered facility for outpatient surgical services.
Now the area’s largest outpatient surgery center, hundreds of thousands of patients have benefitted from the facility that’s close to home and utilized by medical professionals trained in the latest, proven techniques that lead to better outcomes and faster recoveries.
For years, Dr. Hoffman served as MVSC’s director of orthopaedic surgery and was instrumental in helping the surgery center achieve advanced accreditations, recognizing its commitment to patient care.
Dr. Hoffman graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned his degree in medicine from the University of Wisconsin. After completing a fellowship in sports medicine at the University of Toronto, Dr. Hoffman entered private practice in the Quad Cities at Orthopaedic Specialists (OS).
Focusing on total and partial joint replacements and ACL reconstructions, Dr. Hoffman worked to develop protocols that allowed for outpatient partial joint replacements. In 2005, he became the first surgeon in Iowa to perform total joint replacement surgery with a 23-hour outpatient protocol, which was a controversial move at the time.
“When I first began my career, total joint surgery required four to five days, followed by time in a skilled care facility,” Dr. Hoffman said. “Now, the vast majority of joint, hip and knee surgeries are done on an outpatient basis.”
Because of the improvements in pain management and the advancement of surgical techniques, patients can successfully recover in the comfort of home after outpatient procedures at MVSC. Though now considered industry standard, Dr. Hoffman recalled those in the medical community who, at the time, feared it was dangerous.
“I was a pioneer at the time, and there was a lot of pushback,” he said. “Not only is outpatient surgery safe, but it also comes with major advantages for the patient.”
In addition to his work in establishing MVSC, Dr. Hoffman also served an integral role in developing a Rapid Recovery Joint Program at UnityPoint Health, allowing patients to leave the hospital in less than half the average time needed nationally. As part of a statewide orthopaedic collaborative, he educated and taught other surgeons how to implement the program, emphasizing patient education, pain control and rapid recovery through a team approach to care that aligns with research-based clinical pathways.
Dr. Hoffman also served as a driving force in bringing the first Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System to the Quad Cities in 2021, with MVSC being one of the first 50 centers nationwide transforming outpatient hip and knee replacement with the use of SmartRobotics™. MVSC will continue utilizing this innovative technology for years to come.
After 38 years and many accomplishments, Dr. Hoffman is ready to take some time off and travel the world. He’s also excited to spend more time with his grandchildren and pursue his outdoor hobbies, including skiing, hiking and biking.
New physicians join Orthopaedic Specialists
Amidst his retirement, Dr. Hoffman is proud to welcome two physicians to the Orthopaedic Specialists team: Dr. Craig Moe and Dr. Brian McGowan. The two have joined forces with Dr. Tuvi Mendel, president of Orthopaedic Specialists and board chairman of MVSC, to continue providing the Quad Cities and surrounding areas with exceptional orthopaedic care.
Dr. Mendel has performed over 500 robotic-assisted total knee replacements using the innovative Mako SmartRobotics™ system, and he will mentor and assist his new partners as they acclimate to the practice and the community. The combination of Dr. Hoffman’s well-established clinical pathways and Dr. Mendel’s guidance will ensure the success and continued quality outcomes OS patients have come to know and expect.
“Mississippi Valley Surgery Center and Orthopaedic Specialists work together to keep our community in motion and provide the patient-centered, specialized care they deserve,” said Dr. Hoffman. “Dr. Moe and Dr. McGowan bring a wealth of experience and exceptional training to the table and share our commitment to keeping our community healthy and active.”
Dr. Craig Moe
Fellowship trained in hip and knee reconstructive surgery, Dr. Craig Moe has over 20 years of experience in joint reconstruction and specializes in complex hip and knee revisions. He comes to Orthopaedic Specialists after most recently working in private practice in West Des Moines, Iowa. He chose to specialize in orthopaedics because he values the ability to make an immediate impact on his patients’ well-being.
“This is one area of medicine where you can make people better,” Dr. Moe said. “There are many diseases you can’t cure, but in orthopaedics, patients will feel better and have a better quality of life.”
Dr. Moe graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency training at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Moe then went through a hip and knee reconstructive surgery fellowship at OrthoCarolina Hip & Knee Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This recent professional move for Dr. Moe includes an exciting opportunity to join Iowa’s first and most experienced outpatient and robotic joint-replacement experts using the Mako system. This advanced technology allows surgeons to perform joint replacement surgery through the most minimally invasive techniques possible.
Dr. Moe said he’s excited to get to know his new practice and its patients.
“I believe in getting as much face-to-face time with patients as possible,” he said. “My patients are not just another knee. They’re people with jobs to do and families to care for.”
Dr. Moe is a father of four active children, and he loves to attend concerts with his wife. He’s also learning to play guitar while trying to squeeze a round or two of golf into his busy schedule.
Dr. Brian McGowan
Originally from Indiana, Dr. Brian McGowan is coming to the Quad Cities to specialize in primary and revision hip and knee replacements. After completing his fellowship at West Virginia University with advanced training in robotically assisted direct anterior total hip replacement, Dr. McGowan is honored to continue his career in the footsteps of Dr. Hoffman.
“Dr. Hoffman built an incredible team around him,” said Dr. McGowan. “Having the mentorship of the expert who helped pioneer these surgical protocols will continue to allow our patients have a successful experience and successful outcomes.”
Dr. McGowan earned his undergraduate degree from Miami University, graduating summa cum laude in bioengineering. He attended Indiana University School of Medicine and graduated at the top of his class with Alpha Omega Alpha honors. Dr. McGowan completed his orthopaedic residency at the University of Wisconsin, where he was recognized by his peers with the Golden Mallet award for embodying the ideals of an educator, leader and team member.
Dr. McGowan takes pride in offering personalized patient care and developing meaningful patient relationships. He prioritizes open communication and collaborative decision-making, empowering his patients to be active participants in their care.
“Having the trust of patients and fully understanding their needs in order to get them back to their lives is the biggest value of going into this field,” he said. “The OS and MVSC teams will advocate for our patients every step of the way.”
Outside the operating room, Dr. McGowan is excited to explore the Quad Cities and visit dog parks with his wife and two young children. He’s also a guitar player who loves rock and blues music.
Dr. McGowan and Dr. Moe are taking new patients for specialized hip and knee care at Orthopaedic Specialists, 3385 Dexter Court, Suite 300, Davenport, and 2635 Lincoln Way, #D, Clinton.