TORRINGTON – Banner Community Hospital in Torrington recently announced two new hires, Dr. Leelee Von Stade and Dr. Darren Herzog, who will perform orthopedic surgeries.

Hospital CEO Zach Miller said they hired Von Stade and Herzog after the retirement of Dr. Dale Adishian this past April to provide Goshen County residents with easier access to quality health care.

“Our goal was to reduce the need for our community members to travel for these services, instead bringing skilled providers to them,” Miller wrote in an email to The Telegram. “Orthopedic surgery can be uncomfortable, so reducing travel following that procedure was our goal.”

Both Von Stade and Herzog are board certified orthopedic physicians, Miller said. Von Stade specializes in sports medicine and trauma. 

Von Stade previously worked in Aspen, Colo. for 13 years and has been practicing for a total of 18 years. She’ll be in Torrington every other week to see patients.

Both Von Stade and Herzog are involved with Rural Partners in Medicine, which brings specialists to rural communities. After visiting Community Hospital and touring their new operating rooms and meeting staff, Von Stade said she knew it was a “good fit.” 

“I’m hoping that we can have locals not have to drive three hours for surgeries and follow ups, and they’ll be able to get world class care where they are,” she said.

Von Stade said she and Herzog having different specialties benefits residents as well.

“It’s a matter of providing the full gamut of care, but providing an higher level than a generalist would,” she said.

After graduating from medical school in Hawaii, Herzog traveled all over the United States working towards his goal of becoming an established orthopedic surgeon. 

He then spent time at the University of California in San Francisco where he did fellowship training in total joint replacement. 

Herzog said hip and knee replacements are what he is passionate about.

“That’s my sub-specialty interest,” Herzog said.

Herzog will be working at Banner Health in Torrington on a part-time basis as he also spends part of his time working at the Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, South Dakota. 

Herzog said he had found his niche while traveling around to various hospitals and working in their orthopedic surgical areas. He believes everyone deserves a high standard of compassionate care. 

“I’m really enjoying working with Rural Partners in Medicine,” Herzog said. “We have such a disparity in healthcare. Compassionate care that’s of high standards, everyone is entitled to that, even in these remote areas.”

“Both of these skilled clinicians bring a great deal of experience and expertise in orthopedic trauma as well,” Miller said. 

To make an appointment, call the Medical Office Building at (307) 532-8758. 

“This service line fits well within our mission of making healthcare easier, so life can be better,” Miller said.