Five Questions with Dr. David Veltre

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is pleased to announce that Orthopedic Surgeon David R. Veltre, MD, has joined SVMC Orthopedics and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Putnam Physicians.

Dr. Veltre earned his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine in Massachusetts and his master’s in biomedical engineering from Cornell University in New York. He graduated with a bachelor’s in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Cornell in 2004. After having completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Boston University Medical Center, he continued his training at the Cleveland Combined Hand Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth Medical Center in Ohio.

SVMC: What are your first impressions of SVMC, your colleagues, and your patients?
Dr. Veltre: My first impressions of SVMC have been extremely positive. The gorgeous backdrop of the mountains that the hospital is nestled in is a wonderful way to walk into work every morning.  But more importantly, the dedication to patient safety, quality of care, and value is something I am proud to be a part of.  I have had experienced an outpouring of support and positive energy by everyone I have interacted with at the hospital.  My patients have been amazing—friendly, hardworking and motivated on getting back to an active and healthy lifestyle.

SVMC: How does your engineering background apply to your work?
Dr. Veltre: I focused my education prior to medical school on mechanical engineering, specifically biomechanics, which is the study of the structure and function of the body. Having that deep understanding of the mechanics of the tissues of the human body has allowed me to better understand and treat everything from complex fractures to tendon to nerve compression issues.

SVMC: How did you become interested in orthopedics and hand surgery, in particular?
Dr. Veltre: Once I decided to go to medical school, the choice of orthopedic surgery and hand surgery was easy. First and foremost, I love that as a surgeon I am able to treat, and in some cases cure patients of, conditions that allow them to improve the quality of their lives. In addition, I love working in the operating room and the precision required for hand and upper extremity surgery. The anatomy and complexity of the hand is fascinating to me, and I enjoy studying it and learning the many ways I can help improve my patients’ lives.

SVMC: What do you like best about your job?
Dr. Veltre: I love that I am able improve the lives of my patients that have been struggling with pain, arthritis, numbness, stiffness, or other lingering injuries for many years. Our hands are such an important way that we interact with our world and provide us with independence. The ability to give that ability back to patients who have lost some function of their hand is incredibly gratifying. 

SVMC: How do you feel about the precautionary measures in place to help patients get the care they need safely?
Dr. Veltre: I think it is so important that SVMC has done so much to create a safe environment to provide care to patients.  Some of the conditions, such as nerve compression syndromes like carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel syndrome, can cause permanent loss of function if not treated in a timely manner. I am happy that SVMC has provided us and our patients with the tools and protective equipment to continue to see and treat our patients in these extraordinary times.

Dr. Veltre will see patients at SVMC Orthopedics in Bennington. He joins board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons Suk Namkoong, MD; Matthew Nofziger, MD; and Michaela Schneiderbauer, MD; and sports medicine physicians Paul Donovan, DO and Ivette Guttman, MD, along with several associate providers.

SVMC Orthopedics offers preventive and non-surgical treatments, minimally invasive surgery, and surgery for sports injuries, painful joints, and complicated fractures. They execute complete joint replacements, rotator cuff repair, and surgeries on hands, knees, wrists, feet, elbows and ankles.  The main office is located at 332 Dewey Street in Bennington. Dr. Veltre will also see patients at Northern Berkshire Orthopedics in Williamstown, MA. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 802-442-6314 or visit svhealthcare.org/ortho.