New Surgical Podiatry Services at SMH

April 28, 2017

SMH has gained a highly experienced Surgical Podiatrist to a growing team of experts. SMH would like to welcome John Niemela, DPM to the Rural Health Clinic team. Please enjoy the letter below written by Dr. Niemela.

I am very excited to announce my acceptance of a position for a Podiatric Foot and Ankle Surgeon at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital beginning on May 1, 2017. I am an Upper Peninsula native, having been born and raised in Marquette. I graduated from Marquette Senior High School, and went on to graduate with Honors from Michigan State University with a Bachelors Degree majoring in Medical Technology. I completed a one year internship for Medical Technology at Hurley Hospital in Flint, Michigan. Following my internship, I worked as a Medical Technologist for three years at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph, Michigan before attending medical school at Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. During my second year of medical school, I was a teaching assistant for both Gross Anatomy and Lower Extremity Anatomy, for which I later received an Award for Excellence for my efforts teaching first year medical students. Before receiving my medical school degree, I earned a second bachelors degree from Scholl College: Bachelors in Biology. I then graduated from the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in 2002, Magna Cum Laude, with a Doctorate. Following medical school, I was accepted to a three year surgical residency at the Legacy Portland Hospital/Kaiser (PSR 36) Surgical Residency Program. At this level one trauma center, I trained with both Podiatric and Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons. This residency gave me extensive surgical experience. Upon completion of my residency, I started in private practice in Marquette, Michigan, where I joined another Podiatrist for one year. Following that year, I took over the practice and continued in private practice in Marquette for another 11 years.

I provide complete foot and ankle care from neonates to geriatric patients. All of my conservative and surgical services will be available at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital. I will be seeing patients in the Rural Health Clinic, and clinical services include, evaluation and treatment of all foot and ankle conditions below the knee. This includes treatment for orthopedic deformities (bunions, hammer toes, flatfeet, arthritis ankle/foot), sports medicine conditions (tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, sprains), warts (hands and feet), ingrown nails, wound care (below the knee), masses/tumors, and diabetic foot care. Some of the services I provide include custom orthotics, injections and diabetic shoes. Surgical care provided includes: bunion/tailors bunion/hammer toe repair, forefoot/midfoot/rearfoot/ ankle reconstruction (everything below the knee). I also provide traumatic reconstruction including emergent fracture repair of the ankle, foot, and toes. I will be available for trauma call at the hospital for injuries below the knee and will also be providing complete pediatric foot and ankle care, including clubfoot casting, congenital deformities, and flatfoot treatment.

On the personal side of me, I am married and have five children, two of my own and three step children. My hobbies include cross country skiing, running, hunting, and enjoying time with my family.

I am looking forward to bringing my expertise and background to Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital and being able to provide new services to the Manistique area and surrounding communities.

Appointments can be made by calling SMH at (906) 341-2153.