The Western Slope Study Group (WSSG) was founded in 1997 as a multidisciplinary not-for-profit corporation dedicated to musculoskeletal education and research.   WSSG's activities have historically emphasized orthopaedics due to the fact that the founder and director, Michael Dohm, M.D. is an orthopaedic surgeon.  The group’s educational offerings have attracted participation from physician interns, nurses, orthopaedic technicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, family physicians, massage therapists, and orthopaedic surgeons, both M.D. and D.O., among others.

The Western Slope Study Group has been involved in community education, Family Medicine Residency education, outcomes data collection and analysis, and the teaching of evidence based practice.  We have worked on fostering a collaborative, collegial environment to serve as a forum for discussion and understanding of best practice in the care of our patients.

The Western Slope Study Group's vision is to enhance, foster, and engender critical thinking in musculoskeletal medicine in a collegial, collaborative, and cooperative fashion so as to promote best practice patterns of patient care through communication, education and enlightenment.   WSSG sponsors medical journal reviews, know as “Journal Clubs” that provide educational forums for healthcare practitioners to help them understand evidence‑based medicine and determine best practice.  Journal clubs, study groups, patient registries and outcome analysis diminish practitioner uncertainty in areas with a wide variance of treatments.

Over the years, the scope of WSSG has broadened. We have taught human cadaveric anatomy review, developed community sports medicine “Coaches Conferences”, surveyed patients’ about functional outcomes following surgery, coordinated conferences on Osteoporosis, Evidence-based Medicine, The Female Athlete, Chronic Pain, among others, provided the orthopaedic and sports medicine curricula to the Family Practice Residency, published a web page and newsletter, and been involved in a clinical depression registry.  The focus of our organization has changed as needed to accommodate community and member interest.

Recent emphasis is on a systematic education process and directed data collection. Education occurs through review of research findings, reflection on clinical practice, involvement in clinical outcomes studies, delineating performance benchmarks from study results, and disseminating evidence-based practice guidelines to healthcare practitioners.  Data collection has expanded, in terms of numbers of physicians participating, various practices involved and patients assessed longitudinally, creating a larger database for drawing comparisons. Data analysis will provide information about functional outcomes, satisfaction, risks and cost effectiveness of treatments for healthcare providers, insurance payors, and, above all, patients.

Mission Statement

The Western Slope Study Group (WSSG) is dedicated to improving clinical outcomes through the application of evidence-based medical practice. Collaborating with our own WSSG professionals, practicing physicians, and other healthcare providers and organizations, the WSSG coordinates projects to identify and promote the use of best practice and continuous quality improvement while fostering enhanced medical knowledge.

Advisory Board

Advisory Board Members:

Kathy Cherin, RN, CMC, QAURP
Director, Resource Management and Continuing Care
St. Mary’s Hospital
2635 N. 7th St. • P.O. Box 1628
Grand Junction, CO 81502

Michael Goldberg, MD
Chair, Department of Orthopaedics
Tufts-New England Medical Center 2021 N. 12th St
Boston, MA 02111

Robert Keller, MD
Maine Spine and Rehabilitation
49 Spring St.
Scarborough, ME 04074

Michael Pramenko, MD
Family Physicians of Western Colorado
725 Bookcliff Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81501

Douglas Rosendale, DO
National Coordinator of Surgical Informatics
VA Medical Center
2121 North Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81501

Britt Smith, MSPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Sports and Orthopaedic Associates of the Redlands
415 Monument Rd.
Grand Junction, CO 81503

John Steiner, MD, MPH
Director, Colorado Health
Outcomes Program
Fitzsimons Campus, Bldg. 406
Aurora, CO 80010

Ken Stubler, MS, MHA
Vice President -Compliance and Quality
Community Hospital
750 Washington St.
Grand Junction, CO 81501

Charles Wanebo
Financial Advisor
Wachovia Securities
P.O. Box 490
Grand Junction, CO 81502

Patricia Weber, MD
Radiologist
Community Hospital
2021 N. 12th St.
Grand Junction, CO 81501

Bill Gordon
Information Technology Specialist
Web/database designer
Paragon Technology Services
655 Kayenta Drive
Grand Junction, CO 81503