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Longtime Local Orthopedic Surgeon Returns Home to Open Practice at St. Luke’s Nampa
Growing up in Nampa, Dr. Krysten Bell did not know that one day she would train and work with her father.
But his profession made a big impression on her.
“As a child, I was very interested in the medical field,” said Dr. Bell, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. “I can remember going with my dad as he set fractures and placed casts.”
Several days a month, Dr. Bell practices side by side with her dad, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gary Botimer, in the St. Luke’s Nampa office where he recently started a practice.
Dr. Botimer and his wife, Jacqueline, recently returned to Idaho from California, where he served as head of the Loma Linda University arthroplasty division.
Dr. Bell and her brother were among Dr. Botimer’s medical students.
“My father joined the faculty part of the way through my training and we loved it,” Dr. Bell said. “There were occasions where we took call together, or did an elective case with him. It was fantastic.”
Dr. Botimer always knew that he would return to Nampa, where he practiced for 25 years with Saltzer Medical Group.
“I am an Idahoan,” he said. “I kept my house and I was always coming home.”
Dr. Botimer specializes in complex lower extremity joint reconstruction, including hips and knees, primary total joint and “disastrously failed revised total joint.”
His years at Loma Linda helped broaden his awareness of complex medical needs. While there, he also served as chief operating officer.
“I had the privilege of building the orthopedic group at the university to three times the size and built a clinic,” he said.
Dr. Botimer is paving the way for colleagues, St. Luke’s Nampa Administrator Ed Castledine said.
“The experienced ‘father’ of the group is starting this practice,” Castledine said.
Dr. Botimer enjoys the variety of orthopedic challenges and prides himself on identifying the best possible outcomes for his patients, even if it means referring them to other physicians.
“I will see any patient and get them to the right person,” he said. “My goal is to support my patients by giving them the very best care along with my heartfelt encouragement and prayers.”
Dr. Bell celebrates her parents’ return to Idaho and the opportunity to work with her father. After all, his career path led to her dream job.
“I am so fortunate that the job I loved as a child turned out to be every bit as fantastic as advertised when I grew up.”
About The Author
Amy Stahl formerly worked in the Communications and Marketing department at St. Luke's.
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