Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences

River Valley Orthopedics (RVO) has been part of the West Michigan landscape longer than any other multi-specialty orthopedic practice-more than 40 years. In the 1960s, Dr. George Aitken, past president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, founded Washington Square Orthopedics. His partner, Dr. Robert Jarka, performed the first total hip replacement in West Michigan, at Saint Mary's Hospital (now Mercy Health Saint Mary's) in the early 1970s. In 1997, Washington Square Orthopedics and Orthopedic Associates of West Michigan merged to form River Valley Orthopedics, a multi-specialty orthopedic practice, dedicated to offering contemporary, personalized bone and joint medical and surgical services.Based on a long-established tradition of innovation and excellence, known for our compassionate, patient-centered care, and with a cadre of fellowship-trained specialists, River Valley Orthopedics has become one of the area's most respected bone and joint destinations. We care for patients of all ages, young adults to seniors. Our commitment to the advancement of medical and surgical techniques is deep-rooted in our education of generations of nurses and residents. And our relationships with medical facilities and physician practices illustrate our dedication to enhancing excellence in patient care for the diverse communities of West Michigan. Outside of our two convenient West Michigan locations, physicians and staff of RVO also generously donate their time and skills both within and outside of the medical community. Our efforts include numerous health outreach projects in which RVO collaborates with medical facilities, clinics, and other organizations to provide services ranging from health screenings to state of the art orthopedic care for the under-served community.