The San Bernardino Medical Orthopaedic Group (SMOG) was incorporated on February 1, 1989. Initial shareholders were Drs. M. Kenneth Mudge, James Matiko and David Wood.
They were formerly part of the San Bernardino Orthopaedic Group under Dr. Alan MacKenzie, which was formed August 15, 1979.
Dr. Tom Burgdorf and Sandy Bradford worked with MacKenzie. Mudge joined the MacKenzie Corporation in January 1981, Matiko in 1985 and Wood in 1986. In 1989 MacKenzie moved from the area and left the group. Dr. Claude Martimbeau was also part of the original corporation for a brief time.
As the exclusive Orthopaedic group responsible for overseeing emergency and trauma services for San Bernardino County Medical Center, SMOG grew in reputation and expertise. Included in the county responsibilities were administration, oversight and instruction of orthopaedic residents, interns and students.
Dr. Clifford Merkel became a member of the group in 1990, followed by Drs. Thomas Donaldson and John Steinmann in 1991. Dr. Ronny Ghazal joined in 1993 and Dr. Barry Grames in 1997. Other doctors presently working with AO are Gary Frykman, Jonathan Lee, Paul Burton, Gail Hopkins, Richard Biama, David Nguyen and John Skubic.
Wood and Donaldson are no longer with SMOG. Also, since the group was formed other doctors who have worked with them are Brad Hotchner, Michael Wright, Vance Johnson, Rod Brandt and Tom McIndoe.
From its inception SMOG [DBA] Arrowhead Orthopaedics has emphasized that each surgeon be trained in a sub-specialty. This has enhanced the group in all areas of orthopaedics, particularly as new members have been added. Presently all of the physicians are well acquainted with the local area. They either did some or all of their training at Loma Linda University Medical Center or have a family background tied to the Inland Empire.
Three years after SMOG signed a contract for the orthopaedic services of San Bernardino County Medical Center, they opened a practice in the community. A building was purchased and renovated at 2124 Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino in 1991. The group responded efficiently to emergency room consults and the practice grew rapidly. The Waterman facility was soon too small. Plans were drawn for a new building on the Waterman site and satellite offices were established in Banning, Redlands and Riverside.
However, as the patient population shifted, the group decided to centralize the main office. In July 1998 they moved the administrative staff to 1465 South D Street and clinics to West Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. Today there is still an office in Redlands and Riverside, though the Banning office was consolidated. In September 2008 the group opened a new office in Hemet, CA.
In addition to their active practices, the group has a strong commitment to teaching. Most of this is at the County Hospital, which moved to a new facility in Colton on March 30, 1999 and was re-named Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. They also have academic appointments at Loma Linda University Medical center and are actively involved in the Orthopaedic Surgery Physician Assistant Program (OSPAR).
Outside ARMC the group is known as Arrowhead Orthopaedics but is under the SMOG Corporation. Dr. Kenneth Mudge works fulltime at the ARMC. The other surgeons work primarily in one of the outside clinics or hospitals. Besides Arrowhead Reginal Medical Center, the group has privileges at Redlands Community Hospital, Riverside Community Hospital, Parkview Hospital in Riverside, San Bernardino Community Hospital, St. Bernardines in San Bernardino and San Gorgonio Pass Hospital.
For years the group dreamed of having their own orthopaedic facilities which would include administrative offices, clinics and ambulatory surgical services. This dream was realized when Seven Oaks Medical Center was opened in Redlands, July 1, 2004, on the corner of Lugonia and Nevada Street.
This new state-of-the-art facility also offers a Physical Therapy Department with the finest rehabilitation equipment in the industry. One of the most unique pieces of equipment is the partially-above ground rehab pool. They also have a high speed training system for sport enhancement, PNEU-Fast. Alan Zane, M.P.T. is the Director of the Therapy Department.
Across the foyer from physical therapy is the OIC, Orthopaedic Imaging Center. The imaging center offers CT, DEXA and MRI diagnostic tests to AO patients. On the second floor is our Hand Center which offers a broad range of upper extremity sub-specialty services as well as an Occupational Therapy Clinic.
In our Administrative office we have Dr. Nabil Razzouk, current CEO of SMOG, who has been with the corporation since April 2002. Prior to his appointment, other administrators have been Vic Jennings, Peter Vanderhaak, Fran Kerns and Leanne Mudge.
Arrowhead physicians participate in community outreach, in addition to supporting research dedicated to the advancement of Orthopaedic Medicine. Several of the doctors have traveled overseas to provide care in developing countries or to train third-world physicians in the latest medical techniques.
The strong supportive administrative and clinical staff have brought strength and continuity to the group. Arrowhead Orthopaedics has a bright future and looks forward to providing the highest level of orthopaedics to the community for many years to come. In 2009, Arrowhead Orthopaedics continues its "Tradition of Excellence" by celebrating their 20th Anniversary.
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History of the Arrowhead Orthopaedics Logo