Have (New) Hip, Will Travel
When all else failed, joint replacement surgery was Dave Archer’s answer
Learn more about orthopedic services at Northern Nevada Health System
Orthopedic Surgeon Paul Shonnard, MD
Jamii Uboldi
System Director, Marketing & Communications
Jordan Herget, CEO
Northern Nevada Health System
Erin Swenson, CEO
Northern Nevada Medical Center
Information in Living Well comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos or illustrations. Any opinions expressed by an author whose article appears in this publication are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Northern Nevada Health System. Physicians mentioned in this publication are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Northern Nevada Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website. ©2026. All rights reserved.
Northern Nevada Medical Center
2375 E. Prater Way
Sparks, NV 89434
775-331-7000
Sierra Medical Center, An Extension
of Northern Nevada Medical Center
6500 Longley Lane
Reno, NV 89511
775-799-7320
“I was in and out of there so quickly, and I was amazed at how efficient everything was.” – Dave Archer
After marketing professional Dave Archer retired for the first time 20 years ago, he settled into an enjoyable routine of skiing and traveling as much as he could. He was living in Squaw Valley when he broke his leg. Temporarily grounded from long-distance travels, he visited Reno. He loved it so much, he moved there, eventually becoming involved with the Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology and the American Marketing Association.
As a result of his work with those organizations, he became familiar with Northern Nevada Medical Center (NNMC) and, later, Sierra Medical Center, An Extension of Northern Nevada Medical Center. “I had a small surgical procedure at NNMC in 2019 and I loved my experience there. So when I learned about Sierra Medical Center and attended the groundbreaking ceremony, I was very excited,” he says.
Hip issues appear
After retiring again in 2022, Archer went on cruises, traveled and walked - a lot. But in February 2023, a 10-day vacation with an especially heavy load of walking caused an increase of pain in his hip. When he returned home, he connected with Orthopedic Surgeon Paul Shonnard, MD, whom he had previously met. “We discovered I have severe congenital dysplasia on both of my hips and an impingement, where the head of the femur hits the hip socket when I move. That, and degenerative osteoarthritis, was causing the pain,” says Archer. “Dr. Shonnard gave me cortisone shots to temporarily relieve the pain, but did mention I would probably need a hip replacement down the road. I told him to make it as far down that road as possible!”
Archer got through the spring and early summer, but in August he was attending an event and couldn’t make it from the parking garage to the ballroom without sitting down. He knew it was finally time to do something about his hip.
Surgery at Sierra
Archer decided to have Dr. Shonnard do his surgery at Sierra Medical Center in fall of 2023, and was impressed with the entire experience. “The hospital is beautiful. The lobby reminds you of a nice hotel, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere,” he says. “I was in and out of there so quickly, and I was amazed at how efficient everything was.”
He said it felt like everyone was there to take care of him, that he was not just another patient. “They all made me feel like they really cared,” he says. “When I was discharged, they gave me things to make life easier at home while I was recuperating, like a device that helps me pick things up off the floor, something to help put socks on, and a walker. They knew I was going to have challenges at home, so they set me up for success. I could not believe I was able to get up and walk out of the hospital.”
Walking again, pain-free
Archer says he was on his feet in the house the next day, and although he did have pain for a few days, he used a walker for only three days and started physical therapy five days after surgery. “I was walking a mile about a week after surgery, and my recovery was incredibly fast,” he says. “After two weeks, I was able to drive once my staples came out. But the best part is that I am now able to walk and enjoy life without pain.”
In preparing for the surgery, Archer notes that he watched a series of videos on the NNMC website that guide patients on the pre-operative process, getting in and out of bed and more. He says the videos were very helpful in setting expectations.
“This was major surgery. Every point of contact I had was helpful, from beginning to end. I never felt uncomfortable or stressed. It was a very calm, soothing environment. The nurses were focused on me and were very proactive.”
We recently caught up with Dave, two years after his hip replacement at Sierra Medical Center. He is thoroughly enjoying life, and his hip pain is a distant memory. “My hip is 100% - I literally feel as good as new!” he says. “I can walk as much as I wish, and when I am on vacation, I walk everywhere! I walk just like I did before my hip started bothering me.”
His only regret is that he wishes he would not have waited so long. “I knew people who had problematic knee replacements, so I was a little cautious. But I definitely waited too long to start the process,” he says. “My advice to others is to consider at what point do you know when it will fix itself versus when you need action. That’s when you go to the doctor.”
Dave Archer – Revisited
https://northernnevadahealth.com/services/orthopedics/
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How Do I Know If I Need Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip pain doesn’t always come from the hip. It may present as:
Knee pain
Groin pain
Low back pain
Start with conservative care, such as:
Modify daily activities
Use conservative pain medications
Focus on reducing inflammation and strain
See a specialist if pain still persists
Treatment options may include:
Cortisone injections to reduce pain and swelling
Arthroscopic surgery, which is ideal for minor joint issues
Hip Replacement may be necessary if:
There is advanced joint damage
Pain limits daily life
There is a loss of mobility or function
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Have (New) Hip, Will Travel
Letter From Leadership
For Dr. Pratt, caring for patients at Sierra Medical Center has brought him full circle. He is a graduate of Hug High School, the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He did his surgical residency at Baylor Scott & White, Temple, Texas, and his Cardiothoracic Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in Madison. After completing training, Dr. Pratt went on active duty with the United States Navy, finishing with 25 years of service. He is now a retired Captain in the USN (ret). “It is a gratifying experience to make a difference in the community that I grew up in; the community that gave me so much,” says Dr. Pratt.
The hometown connection
Sierra Medical Center has a seasoned cardiac operative team with many members having more than 20 years experience. This includes Dr. Pratt and Dr. Kevin Linkus, MD, FACS, FACC, cardiac anesthesiologists, perfusionists and surgical techs. During medical school, Dr. Pratt was a student of Dr. Linkus, who is a senior cardiac surgeon in the community and an integral part of the cardiothoracic surgical team at Sierra Medical Center.
The team
This surgery involves a full complement of surgical interventions utilizing some of the latest innovations to treat conditions of heart, lungs and chest.
Select each of the circles below to learn more!
What is cardiothoracic surgery?
The cardiac intensive care team rounds on all of the patients as a group, every day. This team includes cardiac nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, discharge planners, physical therapists, intensive care doctors and surgeons. Patients enjoy a universal bed system, where they stay in one room, cared for by the same team their entire hospital stay. During these rounds, family members are encouraged to join and ask questions regarding the care of their loved ones. An extraordinary aspect of this program is the support of so many team members and departments, whose goal is to keep patients and families up to date following surgery. It is truly a team effort helping people and families fully heal.
The program began in September 2022, and Program Director, Theodore Pratt, MD, FACS, stated that his surgical team had a very successful first year. They continue to surpass their stated goals, providing high-quality care for patients with complex conditions. Their primary focus is to diagnose, manage and treat heart and thoracic disease early, leading to very successful outcomes.
When Sierra Medical Center, an extension of Northern Nevada Medical Center opened in April 2022, part of the heart health plan was to provide a full range of traditional and minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgical services to the Reno, Sparks and Northern Nevada areas.
Bringing Advanced Heart Care to Northern Nevada
Cardiothoracic Surgery at Sierra Medical Center
cardio
+
thoracic
Cardio refers to elective and emergency surgery for artery disease, valve replacements, mitral valve repairs, aortic aneurysms and more.
Thoracic refers to lung resections, lobectomies, trachea surgery, thymectomy (a procedure for myasthenia gravis) and hyperhidrosis (a procedure for excessive sweating). These procedures are done using the latest innovations, such as minimally invasive surgery and robot-assisted techniques.
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