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Dr. Blake Clifton, M.D.
Orthopedic surgeon Blake Clifton serves as the Medical Director for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Gunnison Valley Health. He is a proven leader with the ability to collaborate with other local providers, the Gunnison Watershed School District, Western Colorado University and every department within the health system in order to improve orthopedic care for every person in the Gunnison Valley.
Dr. Clifton is fellowship trained in pediatric and adult sports medicine. This expertise makes him uniquely qualified to support children, adolescents and adults to heal from injuries and return to sport stronger than before their injury.
Specializing in total joint replacements and arthritis care, Dr. Clifton provides cutting-edge treatment options such as short stay joint replacements and accelerated rehabilitation allowing patients to get back to their favorite activities sooner after total joint replacement.
Dr. Clifton earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He then completed a surgery internship and orthopedic residency at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. As part of his orthopedic residency he completed his pediatric orthopedic training at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth Texas. Following completion of his residency Dr. Clifton was selected for a prestigious fellowship in pediatric and adult sports medicine at the University of New Mexico.
Dr. Clifton is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He has authored or coauthored numerous articles published in prestigious scientific journals. He has been a team physician for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team for the past five years, and travels with them every year. He is currently the Co-Medical Director for the NCAA teams at Western State University. He has served as team physician for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and University of New Mexico Lobo Athletics.
Alex Wray, PA-C
Alex is a certified Physician Assistant with multiple years of experience at a dedicated urgent care setting with family practice and orthopedic experience. As the non-operative sports medicine specialist for GVO, Alex is available to treat musculoskeletal injuries with splinting or casting as necessary, joint injections, laceration repair, referrals to physical therapy and other non-surgical options.
Alex is also GVO’s surgical assistant and is intimately involved in the after-care and post-surgical follow-up in conjunction with Dr. Clifton. Alex supports each patient to coordinate care across Gunnison Valley Health, including the Mountain Clinic, the Gunnison Urgent Care clinic, the Family Medicine Clinic and the hospital. His expertise in sports medicine and understanding of everything the health system has to offer makes him skilled and supporting each patient to access the services and support they need to recover from injuries.
His previous employment at the Mille Lacs Band of the Ojibwe was an exciting opportunity to provide quality care to a population that has been traditionally underserved. There he gained invaluable experience treating chronic and acute musculoskeletal injuries, diabetes and diabetic complications, cutaneous and respiratory infections, mental health comorbidities, chronic heart conditions, polypharmacy and substance abuse. The experience also instilled a passion to support every person to access the care they need to live healthy and active lives.