Education and work history
Licentiate in Medicine, 1988
Doctor of Medical Science, 1993
Specialist in Surgery, 1997
Specialist in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 1999
Special Competence in joint replacement surgery, 2006
Formal qualification in healthcare administration, 2013
After graduating as a doctor, I specialised first in surgery and then in Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the University of Helsinki in 1991–1999. I completed my doctoral thesis in Professor Rokkanen’s group at Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH) Töölö Hospital in 1988–1993. My study focused on the use of bioabsorbable materials for bone support. Since then, I have studied biomaterials and performed clinical studies.
After completing my specialist training, I worked as a specialist at HUCH Hospital for Children and Adolescents for some months. Having received a locum Consultant post at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, I moved to England in late 1999 with my family. During this time, I worked at a lower extremity and joint replacement unit. After this trip to England, we returned to Helsinki, and I worked as a specialist at HUCH Surgical Hospital in 2000–2007, focusing on lower extremity and joint replacement cases.
In 2007, Kymenlaakso Central Hospital established a centre of excellence focusing on joint replacements. I took the post of Head of Department at this unit in early 2008. I worked in the Kotka joint replacement centre until the end of 2013. In addition to this post, I worked as Head Physician at Eira Hospital in 2012–2013. In early 2014, I took up the post of Medical Director of ORTON Orthopaedic Hospital. At Orton, my duties still allow me time for clinical work, and I spend more than half of my working hours treating musculoskeletal problems.
In 2003–2010, I worked as a part-time clinical lecturer in Helsinki, teaching medical students on orthopaedic surgery for patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatological conditions. Ever since my training days at Töölö Hospital, I have been actively involved in Finnish further education and continuing education in the field orthopaedics and been involved in the courses and events of the Finnish Orthopaedic Association and Finnish Arthroplasty Association. I keep my professional skills up to date by reading professional literature and attending educational events in my field.
Special interests
During my specialist training period at Töölö Hospital, I learned much from Hannu Pätiälä and Anne Alberty, experts in joint replacement surgery. In the 21st century, my surgical work has focused on knee and hip replacement surgery. Over the years, I have also performed, and been greatly interested in, endoscopic knee surgery, shoulder surgery and forefoot deformity correction surgery. Extensive basic training in orthopaedics provides a sound foundation for assessing a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. In surgery, I focus on the areas in which I excel. For other operations, I naturally recommend specialists with expertise in the particular field required. The most important goals of surgery are to minimise risks and to achieve the best possible functional outcome.
