Jakovich

NEW ULM — New Ulm Medical Center (NUMC) has added a full-time physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and started a new partnership with Twin Cities Spine Center, an orthopedic spine specialty practice.

These two advancements, combined with the already established physical therapists of the Allina Health Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, the diagnostic capabilities of the NUMC Radiology Department and Neurology, provide a comprehensive spine, back, and neck care program according to an NUMC press release.

John Jakovich, DO, PT, is the new full-time physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physician. He was previously the lead PM&R physician at the Mayo Clinic System in Mankato. From a young age Dr. Jakovich had an interest in the rehabilitation field, and first became a Physical Therapist (PT) before going on to become a physician.

“I enjoyed working in many different environments as a Physical Therapist and had experience in acute rehab, orthopedics, spine, and long-term care,” said Jakovich. He became interested in becoming a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) specialist to increase his ability to care for his patients. “It was a natural progression for me to move from being a PT to a PM&R physician.”

NUMC has transitioned its surgical spine program to Twin Cities Spine Center and Dr. Ben Mueller, a Board Certified orthopedic spine surgeon with Twin Cities Spine. Dr. Mueller sees patients in person at NUMC as well as via telehealth.

“Twin Cities Spine Center has a 70-year history of treating spine patients from all over the world,” Mueller said. “The practice is well-known for its research and experience, as well as its wide variety of patients, spinal conditions, and treatments.”

Mueller treats conditions in all areas of the spine; cervical (neck), thoracic (mid back) and lumbar (low back). He sees both adult and pediatric patients. He treats all spinal conditions, including a special interest in stenosis, scoliosis and disc replacement.