At Western Orthopaedics, some of our surgeons utilize Physician Assistants or PA’s, as part of their team. Our PA’s are well trained and work closely with our surgeons to ensure that you are provided with the highest level of care and compassion. Their role is to extend the reach and service of our surgeons. They are utilized to improve access to our care so that we can more efficiently help you receive the treatment that you need for your problem. To learn more about our PA’s please read below.
Kathryn Braun, FNP-C-NP
Katie was born and raised in Gurnee, IL. After spending a short one-year period in Nebraska for her undergrad, she moved out to Colorado and graduated from CU Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. After graduation, she decided to pursue a nursing degree and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Colorado Anschutz. Katie started her nursing career on the orthopedics unit at Porter Hospital 4 months, where she worked with Dr. White and his patients, before COVID hit and transitioned into a COVID RN during the pandemic. Once she returned back to the orthopedic unit, she decided to continue her education and earn her Master of Science in Nursing as a family nurse practitioner at the University of Colorado Anschutz. She joined Dr. White at Western Orthopedics as her first career out of NP school. When she is not at work, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, running and fly fishing. She is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Works for Brian White, MD
Nicole Chasnow, PA-C
Nicole was born and raised in central Indiana before moving to New Orleans, Louisiana where she earned her degree in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University with a minor in business. After graduation she worked for a medical device company as a lead clinical application specialist training physicians across the country in the use of her medical device prior to obtaining her physician assistant training at Red Rocks Physician Assistant program in Lakewood, Colorado. She also obtained a master's degree in Medical Science from St. Francis University. She has worked in neurosurgery and orthopedic spine surgery for the past 13 years in the Denver Metro area and has extensive experience treating and managing complex spine issues. Nicole recently joined Western Orthopaedics' spine surgery team with Dr. Michael Eby. In her free time Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and friends and enjoying Colorado's amazing outdoor activities. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants.
Works for Michael Eby, MD
Rose G. Christensen, MSPAS, PA-C
Rose is originally from Michigan but moved to California, where she lived for several years obtaining her undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees. She received high honors from Pepperdine University with a B.S. in Sports-Medicine/Pre-Med. While at Pepperdine and shortly after, she participated in various research projects under her professors and worked in local Orthopaedic practices, such as Santa Monica Orthopedics and Sports Medicine group and Orthopaedic Specialists of North County San Diego, gaining invaluable experience. She then went on to obtain a master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, ranking in the top ten of her class. Directly following, she participated in a Physician Assistant Orthopaedic residency program through Arrowhead Orthopaedics in Redlands, California. Rose came to Denver and joined the Western Orthopaedics team under Dr. Armodios Hatzidakis in the fall of 2012. She is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants.
Works for Armodios Hatzidakis, MD
Molly Gleason, FNP-C
Molly grew up in the Midwest and began her career in IT, working for a company that developed medical software. Although she enjoyed the technical nature of the work, she soon realized she was far more interested in what was happening in the hospitals and clinics around her than in implementing technological solutions.That curiosity, along with a desire to be closer to patient care, led her to return to school and pursue a BSN in 2010. After becoming a Registered Nurse, she spent several years working in a Level I Trauma Emergency Department; an experience that shaped her clinical foundation and strengthened her commitment to patient-centered care. She later earned her MSN and began her Nurse Practitioner career in Neurosurgery. She moved to Colorado in early 2017, which is when she first had the opportunity to work with Dr. Brian White. Molly officially joined his team in 2024 and is grateful to provide thoughtful, individualized care alongside a group she deeply respects. Today, Molly resides in Littleton, Colorado with her husband and their two dogs. They enjoy all aspects of Colorado together and spend as much time in the mountains as possible.
Works for Brian White, MD
Tyler Holm, MSPAS, PA-C
Tyler was born and raised in Rocklin, California (just outside of Sacramento). He moved to San Diego for his undergraduate degree at San Diego State University where he received his bachelor’s in Kinesiology. After receiving his B.S. at SDSU, he attended Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA for his Masters in Physician Assistant Studies. After receiving his masters from Western, he worked at a private orthopedic practice in San Diego primarily specializing on the spine. Tyler moved to Denver and joined the Western Orthopaedics team under Dr. Armodios Hatzidakis in the Summer of 2020. In his spare time, Tyler enjoys playing tennis, biking, skiing, hiking...and just about anything outside. He is an active member of the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Works for Armodios Hatzidakis, MD
Jake Hopkins, MMS, PA-C
Jake was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM before moving to Lawrence, KS to attend the University of Kansas where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with a Pre-Med concentration. After graduation, he went to work as an emergency department technician in Kansas City before being accepted to the Red Rocks Community College Physician Assistant Program in Lakewood, Colorado. He received his Master's Degree and spent five years working in emergency medicine within Denver Metro. Jake then spent 2 years in orthopedic surgery in Lone Tree, CO before joining Dr. Ben Sears and the team at Western Orthopedics. Jake and his wife have 3 young children who occupy much of their free time. He enjoys any activities that take him outdoors, with his strongest passion being scuba diving. He is an active member of the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants and has precepted PA students from both Red Rocks Community College and Rocky Vista University PA programs.
Works for Ben Sears, MD
Sarah Lanahan, PA-C
Sarah Lanahan, PA-C is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in orthopedic surgery and upper extremity care. She provides comprehensive care for shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand conditions, with expertise in ultrasound-guided joint and tendon sheath injections. Sarah is dedicated to developing individualized, patient-centered treatment plans that help patients return to their highest level of function.
Sarah earned her Master of Medical Science from Tufts University School of Medicine, where she received the prestigious Marsha Semuels Leadership Award and served as class president. She completed her undergraduate studies at Emory University, where she played collegiate volleyball, served as team captain, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology
In addition to her clinical practice, Sarah is deeply committed to medical education and mentorship. She is the founder and Director of the Emory APP Orthopedic Fellowship, where she oversees fellowship training, student rotations, and continuing education initiatives. She has logged more than 4,500 hours precepting physician assistant and nurse practitioner students and is passionate about training the next generation of orthopedic providers.
Works for Armodios Hatzidakis, MD and Ben Sears, MD
Haley McGraw MMSc, PA-C
Haley was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia, where she graduated with honors earning a degree in Exercise and Sport Science (BSEd) and a minor in Biology. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in biomechanics research, further developing her interest in human movement and musculoskeletal health. She went on to earn her Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Physician Assistant Studies from Mercer University in Atlanta. Following graduation, she moved to Colorado to complete an Advanced Practice Provider Surgical Fellowship at the University of Colorado/UCHealth, where she received specialized training in a wide variety of surgical subspecialties. She joined Dr. Armodios Hatzidakis and the Western Orthopaedics team in the fall of 2024. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, skiing, walking her 2 dogs, cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, and traveling with her husband as they work toward their goal of visiting every U.S. National Park.
Works for Armodios Hatzidakis, MD
Greg S. Turner, PA-C
Greg was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He received a B.S. from Colorado State University in biological sciences with an emphasis in human anatomy. He attended a surgical physician assistant school in Cleveland, Ohio. Greg began his physician assistant career in 1994 at Western Orthopaedics. He has worked with our surgeons to assist them with over 7,000 operative procedures and sees patients in the clinic for evaluation and treatment. Greg has served as a preceptor for the physician assistant programs at both the University of Colorado Denver and Red Rocks Community College. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants.
Works for Rajesh Bazaz, MD and Ted Parks, MD
Michael Wade, PA-C-PA
Michael Wade is a native of Illinois and received his undergraduate bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University in Sports Medicine & Athletic Training. He worked as an athletic trainer for a physical therapy company in St. Louis for three years following his undergraduate education, providing physical and sports rehabilitation as well as medical coverage for a large area high school's athletics department. Michael went on to receive his master's degree in physician assistant studies at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science in Chicago. He remained in Chicago for seven years, practicing as a physician assistant in orthopaedic specialties including general orthopaedics, orthopaedic spine surgery, sports medicine, trauma and total joint replacement surgery. In January 2015, Michael relocated to Denver to join Orthopaedic Physicians of Colorado and is now specializing primarily in total joint replacement and orthopaedic trauma surgery. In his free time, he enjoys virtually all outdoor activities including running, hiking, camping, skiing and scuba diving.He has also joined the Wilderness Medical Society and is pursuing continued education in wilderness medicine.
Works for Dr. Reister, MD