THE JOINT REPLACEMENT INSTITUTE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Licensed Physical Therapist
Adam joined the Joint Replacement Institute in 2020.
Adam completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania, and later obtained his Orthopedic Certified Specialist distinction from the board of the American Physical Therapy Association. He has extensive experience treating a comprehensive orthopedic population, including surgical & non-surgical diagnoses, peripheral joints, & spine. Adam likes to focus on hands-on, manual therapy, combined with a restorative exercise program to help patients achieve their individualized goals.
In his spare time, Adam enjoys watching all sports, as well as being active outside, including triathlon training, paddleboarding, kayaking, & spending time on the beach.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Physical Therapist
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Licensed Physical Therapist
After suffering an ACL injury and receiving physical therapy, Aris decided to make a career change to incorporate his love of sports and passion for exercise. Aris earned his associate degree at Kent State University in Ohio and has additional training in kinesio taping. Aris' prior experience includes extensive work with athletic trainers in rehabilitating collegiate and professional athletes, as well as working in hospital/inpatient, outpatient, and assisted living settings.
Aris is an avid golfer and enjoys working out, going to the beach, and spending time with his wife and their dog.
Job Titles:
- Certified Physician Assistant
David Albritton joined the Joint Replacement Institute in 2017.
David performs duties typical of an orthopedic physician assistant, including office visits, pre- and post-operative history and physical exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostic testing, diagnostic imaging, joint injections, and attending hospital rounds. He also assists Dr. Brian Wallace in surgical procedures.
David received his bachelor of science in biochemistry from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He then attended Nova Southeastern University's Orlando campus, where he received a master of science in medical science and physician assistant studies.
In his spare time, David enjoys fishing, Ping-Pong, dirt bikes, and any ball-related sport.
Job Titles:
- Head
- Chief of the Orthopedic Department for the NCH Healthcare
- Surgeon for the USTA / ITF World Tennis Tour
Dr. Wallace currently serves as the head team physician for Ave Maria University, where he works with college athletes to assure their quick return to sport.
Dr Wallace has served as the Chief of the Orthopedic Department for the NCH Healthcare system.
Whether you're a professional athlete, weekend warrior, or just an active adult, you'll want to see sports medicine orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Wallace at the Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, Florida, should you have any orthopedic concerns. Call (239) 261-2663 to schedule your appointment or request an appointment now.
Dr. Cody Togher is a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon specializing in complex foot and ankle reconstruction, including total ankle replacement, bunion correction, arthroscopic/endoscopic techniques, deformity correction, sports injuries, fracture care, and revision surgery of the foot and ankle.
Dr. Togher is dedicated to helping his patients get better and is committed to helping them achieve their goals through personalized treatment plans. He has expertise with conditions best managed by conservative care and is knowledgeable of when surgery is the appropriate option.
Dr. Togher received his fellowship training at the prestigious Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center in Columbus, Ohio, under the direct guidance of many world-renowned foot and ankle surgeons. Prior to fellowship, he completed an extensive residency at AdventHealth in Orlando, Florida.
He received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated as valedictorian of his class. A native of Naples, Dr. Togher completed his undergraduate degree from Florida State University and is a proud alumnus of Barron Collier High School.
Since moving back to Florida with his wife, Dr. Togher has enjoyed the opportunity to participate in more outdoor activities than he was able to during the harsh Midwest winters. He enjoys all things sports-related, ranging from golf and football to car racing and autocross. While originally raised a Chicago sports fan, his early years in Florida helped to cultivate a fandom for Tampa and Orlando area sports teams. He is a fanatic of Florida State University athletics.
Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs' interest in surgery was cultivated at an early age, being the son of a general surgeon. This exposure provided him a view into the world of orthopedics and joint replacement surgery that has continued to drive him to this day.
Dr. Biggs began his medical career performing joint replacements in private practice in Ohio, while also teaching at the orthopedic surgery residency program at Doctors Hospital of Stark County. His Ohio medical practice also served as a multicenter investigational studies site for developing new implants and procedures.
He relocated to Florida in 2006 and founded the Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, Florida two years later.
Dr. Biggs performs 600+ joint replacement surgeries per year. He is a national leader in the development and use of cutting-edge surgical techniques, customized implant design, and post-operative patient care. He hosts surgeons from around the country who come to learn about direct anterior hip replacement, outpatient total joint replacement, and patient-specific knee replacement surgeries.
Direct anterior hip replacements are a passion of his. Dr. Biggs has successfully performed more than 3,000 of these minimally invasive procedures that involve skillfully maneuvering around muscles and tendons for less post-op pain and scarring as well as a faster recovery.
Since moving to Florida, Dr. Biggs, his wife, and six children have enjoyed becoming active members of the community and look forward to living in Naples for many years to come. The Biggs family enjoys many outdoor activities ranging from golf to motocross.
Meet Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs, founder of the Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, Florida. In this engaging video, he discusses his passion: hip and knee replacements.
Job Titles:
- Certified Physician Assistant
Erin Bostick worked in the fields of general surgery and interventional radiology before joining the Joint Replacement Institute in 2019 to work with Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs and his staff in orthopedics.
Erin graduated from the University of Central Florida with her bachelor of science in health services administration. She graduated from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida with her master of science in clinical science and physician assistant studies.
In her free time, Erin enjoys spending time with her husband Cedrick and their baby girl Gianna. She enjoys cooking, traveling and being outdoors with her family.
Job Titles:
- Board Eligible Orthopedic Surgeon, Fellowship Trained Hand Surgeon
Dr. Scott Herron joined the Joint Replacement Institute in 2021 after completing a rigorous Hand and upper extremity fellowship at the University of Miami. Prior to his time in Florida, he completed medical school at The University of Cincinnati and his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at The University of Toledo Medical Center.
Dr. Herron's interests in Orthopedics include hand and wrist fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, hand and wrist arthritis and trigger fingers. He also maintains an interest in general orthopedic care.
He has been expertly trained in endoscopic and minimally invasive carpal tunnel surgery, microvascular repair and reconstruction and complex wrist fracture care. He has also received extensive training in nonoperative and operative management of wrist and hand arthritis.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Licensed Physical Therapist
Kelsey joined the Joint Replacement Institute in 2021.
Kelsey earned her BS at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and has additional training in IASTM techniques. Prior to JRI, she gained experience working with an athletic population in the outpatient setting, and is now enjoying the active orthopedic population here at JRI.
In her spare time, she enjoys basketball, kayaking, and spending time at the beach with her dog.
Dr. Paul Beebe joined the Joint Replacement Institute provider team in 2017.
As an interventional pain management physician, Dr. Beebe is the first to recognize that pain management has become a highly specialized and complex field in recent years. In light of the nation's devastating opioid abuse epidemic, pain management is no longer centered around medication and medication alone. Instead, Dr. Beebe partners with each of his patients to carefully discuss and decide on the treatment options that are best for them; only then is a customized treatment plan enacted.
To help his patients reclaim their lives free from debilitating pain, Dr. Beebe offers a variety of pain management treatments, in addition to medication when appropriate. In fact, Dr. Beebe prescribes 90% fewer opiate medications than other pain management physicians, according to recent Medicare statements - yet can still significantly reduce a patient's pain.
Originally from Oklahoma, Dr. Beebe has been practicing anesthesia and pain management in southwest Florida since he, his wife, and children moved here in 2007.
Job Titles:
- Physician Assistant
- Certified Physician Assistant
Sarah Oakum has worked as a Physician Assistant for 20 years. She joined the Joint Replacement Institute in 2019. Initially working in Orthopedic Surgery/Sports Medicine she has worked the past 10 years in Interventional Pain Management.
Sarah received her Bachelor of Science in Behavioral and Neural Biology from Lehigh University. She then attended the University of Miami where she received a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology. She worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer in the both the high school and collegiate setting in an 8 year period. While teaching in the athletic training curriculum program at Barry University, she elected to enter their Physician Assistant program to further her education and received a Masters of Clinical Medical Science in 2000.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys time with her family. As much as possible they take trips in their RV exploring State and National Parks and enjoying the outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Certified Physician Assistant
William Fazio joined the Joint Replacement Institute in 2012.
Will performs duties typical of an orthopedic physician assistant including office visits, pre- and post-operative history and physical exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostic testing, joint injections, and attending hospital rounds. He also assists Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs in surgical procedures.
Will received his bachelor of science in food science and human nutrition at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He then attended Nova Southeastern University's Fort Myers campus, where he received his master of science in medical science and physician assistant studies.
In his spare time, Will enjoys being outdoors on the water, fishing from his kayak for all types of fish - from snook to sailfish. He also likes to participate in competitive golf and tennis matches and loves watching football on the weekends.
Dr. Zach Elstad joins the Joint Replacement Institute after completing his Adult Reconstruction fellowship at Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center (MSMOC). MSMOC is one of the largest volume private practice groups in the United States.
He previously spent time in Florida, having finished his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of Florida - Jacksonville, where he was elected to be the administrative chief resident. Dr. Elstad originally grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and completed medical school at the Medical College of Georgia in Athens. Go Dawgs!
Dr. Elstad's expertise focuses on the hip and knee. He has been extensively trained in robotic-assisted surgery for both hip and knee replacements, Partial Knee replacements, as well as the Direct Anterior approach for total hips. He is extremely knowledgeable about the workup and management of previous hip and knee surgeries requiring revision for a variety of reasons.
Dr. Elstad lives in Naples with his wife, Nicole. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking and trying new foods. He is a yard game enthusiast and loves golf (much more than it loves him).