Aarika Danielle Middleton, PA-C

Coming to Mercy was liberating. I don't have the concerns I had in private practice. I love solving problems, and now I can concentrate on that. Part of my job is establishing relationships with patients and learning what motivates them - to be out of pain, reclaim their favorite activities. The best part of my job is changing people's lives for the better.

From the website:Mercy's orthopedics clinic, formerly Ortho4States, offers spine back care, sports medicine more in the Galena KS Joplin MO communities.

When I was young, I did gymnastics, dance, softball, soccer, volleyball and field hockey in college. I love to be active. I chose sports medicine because it lets me promote quality of life by keeping people active. Movement is medicine. I provide regenerative, non-surgical care for musculoskeletal injuries like muscle strains, ankle sprains and fractures that don't require surgery. I like to find out what brings patients joy so I can tailor my care to help them get back to that, whether it's playing high school football, playing tennis or pickleball on the weekends, or just helping you get back to your daily life so you can play with your grandkids. My favorite part about being a sports medicine physician is interacting with a wide variety of people: kids as young as five, high school athletes and older patients with mobility issues. I try to connect on a personal level, not just medical. Ultimately that helps me address their medical needs.