By: Robyn Darnell, FHW PR and Communications Coordinator
Sometimes you end up right where you are meant to be. Despite any twists and turns you might take on a journey, eventually we all find our way back home. Dr. Fortunato G. Padua, MD, MS, Family Health West’s new orthopedic surgeon, has lived in many places throughout the country. Originally from the suburbs of New Orleans, Dr. Padua has spent time in the South, the Midwest and the Northeast over the course of his medical training. However, in the short time that he’s been in Western Colorado, he already feels at home.
“Personally, I’m incredibly excited about Western Colorado because it offers the lifestyle that my family and I were looking for,” Dr. Padua said. “It already feels like home and I hope that my family and I are able to stay here for the rest of my career. I’m excited to put down roots here and become part of the community long-term.”
Dr. Padua specializes in advanced shoulder surgery and sports medicine, with a focus on both complex arthroscopic procedures and shoulder reconstruction. His practice centers on treating shoulder instability, rotator cuff pathology, labral injuries, arthritis, nerve compression, fractures and complex revision conditions in patients ranging from competitive athletes to active adults.
Dr. Padua’s motivation as a surgeon comes from a deep passion for sports and movement. He is driven by the opportunity to restore function and get patients back to the activities that matter most to them, whether that is competing at a high level, working a physically demanding job or simply enjoying time with family and friends. Above all, he strives to care for patients of all backgrounds and activity levels with the same level of commitment and attention to detail, providing a standard of care that he would want for his own family.
FHW is excited to welcome Dr. Padua as the newest member of our team. Not only will he bring a new perspective and level of expertise, he also already fits right in with our mission of making every patient’s day just a little bit better.
“Choosing where to practice is about much more than finding a job, it’s choosing where you want to build your life,” Dr. Padua said. “That was a big part of what attracted me to Family Health West and Fruita, and I feel like I could not have found a better fit. From my first interactions with the staff, I was struck by how welcoming, friendly, and invested everyone was. Not only in taking care of patients, but in taking care of one another.”
Despite only recently moving to Mesa County, Dr. Padua will begin seeing patients in September. “I’m excited to meet the people of this community, take care of their orthopedic needs, and hopefully build relationships that last for many years,” Dr. Padua said. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity and am really looking forward to getting started.”
If you are interested in learning more about Orthopedics at Family Health West, please visit https://fhw.org/services/orthopedics/ or call the clinic directly at (970) 858-2705.
