Orthopedic Surgeon Comes Back Home to ACMH
Dr. Nathan Formaini started seeing patients Monday at Armstrong Orthopedic Associates in Kittanning (submitted photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
A surgeon born in the Kittanning area moved back to Armstrong County recently and is anxious for his start in the ACMH Hospital operating room.
Nathan Formaini, DO joined Armstrong Orthopedic Associates this month and began seeing patients Monday – his first job outside his year fellowship in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Formaini, 33 – a graduate of Ford City High School in 2000 – and wife of four years, Kristen – originally from the South Side of Pittsburgh – always had the goal to come back home with their son, Leonardo.
“It was kind-of always our goal to come back here,” Formaini said. “I went to med school in Erie, jumped over to Columbus for training and ended up in Florida but it was always the intention to come here – and my wife’s from downtown Pittsburgh so we both wanted to get back to western Pennsylvania.
“I love this whole area – Florida was nice with sand and a beach but ultimately its hot, it’s crazy-busy down there, it’s a different kind of lifestyle and in general, I like the people better here,” Formaini said. “It’s not hot, muggy and full of bugs. It wasn’t too hard to leave.”
Already, Formaini is sometimes “living in the shadow” of his family.
Mother Jolene worked at ACMH in different departments as a nurse for 20 years of her 35 year career, while older brother, Damon. is a physical therapist at Phoenix Rehabilitation at Franklin Village Mall in East Franklin township
“Both of them kind-of influenced me a little bit to do what I’m doing,” Formaini said.
Formaini will work at Armstrong Orthopedic Associates three days a week with Dr. Bert Hepner and in the operating room the other two.
Formaini also shadowed Dr. Hepner before he went to medical school.
“He was a big influence in me coming back as well,” Formaini said. “It’s nice to have him now as a peer and be able to work side-by-side with him.”
Formaini received his undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Pittsburgh before graduating at the top of his class at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completing a five-year orthopedic residency through Ohio University at Doctors Hospital and Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.
He concluded his surgical training with a one-year shoulder and elbow fellowship under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Levy at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Formaini – who has a special interest in shoulder and elbow surgery and sports injuries - said he has kept in touch with doctors that trained him in Columbus.
“Three days in, and I’m starting to get busy,” Formaini said.
Local News | jweaver August 27, 2015
