Dr. Joyce Tarbet brings years of sports medicine experience to her orthopedic practice.

Growing up as an avid athlete, a career in sports medicine and orthopedics just made sense for Joyce Tarbet, MD, FRCSC. Dr. Tarbet began seeing patients at New Ulm Medical Center (NUMC) in May. She joins NUMC’s two other orthopedic surgeons Mario Desouza, MD, and Angela Honstad, MD.

A native of Montreal, Canada, Dr. Tarbet completed her internship in general surgery and her residency in orthopedic surgery at McGill University in Montreal. She also completed a fellowship in arthroscopy and sports medicine at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Of her 24-year career, Dr. Tarbet says, one of the things she is most proud of is having been a member of the United States Soccer Federation and becoming the Head Team Physician for the United States Women’s National Soccer Team. Dr. Tarbet was also assistant team physician for the Chicago Fire soccer team of MLS (major league soccer), and team physician at two NCAA Division I universities.

But caring for athletes is just part of the passion that drives her in her orthopedic practice.

“I love helping patients return to their desired level of activity, whether an elite athlete returning to their previous level of competition, or an elderly patient wishing to return to gardening or maintaining their independence,” Dr. Tarbet said. The positive impact that orthopedic medicine can have on her patients is what she loves about the field of orthopedics. “I’ll always remember a patient thanking me for giving her her life back.”

Dr. Tarbet said her approach to her practice is to provide respectful and compassionate care. “I like to treat patients like family members and friends as we are all neighbors and community members,” she said.

Dr. Tarbet has special interests within the orthopedic field in rotator cuff repair, shoulder and knee arthroplasty, arthroscopy and sports medicine, shoulder and knee ligament reconstruction, and trauma and fracture care.

She is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; a member of the American College of Sports Medicine; and a Physician Member of the American Board of Quality Assurance.

To make an appointment with Dr. Tarbet, call 507-217-5011.