When it comes to your orthopedic care, you want only the best. That’s why we’ve assembled a team of skilled and experienced medical professionals to assist you every step of the way in your journey to living without pain. From the moment you walk in our door until the time you’re back out enjoying life to the fullest, we are dedicated to providing you with excellence. Our courteous staff promise to treat you with the same respect and concern that we would demand for our own ohana. If you are at all unhappy with any of the services you received from any of our staff, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone at (808) 439-6201 or by email.
A local boy who was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, Dr. Morton graduated from Kea’au High School. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. In college, he began training as a firefighter while double-majoring in Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences.
Dr. Morton discovered his passion for medicine as a first responder at Miami Township Fire-Rescue. Working as a firefighter and emergency medical technician, he enjoyed helping his patients from car accidents, search-and-rescue, and medical emergencies. The excitement of the job and passion for helping people led him to search for a lifelong, fulfilling career.
Eventually, Dr. Morton returned to Hawaii to obtain his medical degree from the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii. He spent half of his third-year medical school clinical rotations on the Big Island. He did his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at St. Luke’s University and Health Network in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In his final year, he served as Chief Orthopedic Resident.
Before returning home to Hawaii, Dr. Morton obtained his ACGME-accredited fellowship training in Adult Reconstruction at the University of Chicago. During his fellowship, he had excellent mentors who taught him the latest technologies in robotic joint replacements and how to care for joint replacement disasters. He then went on to complete an AO trauma Fellowship at Charité Universitätsmedizin in Berlin, Germany – one of the biggest hospitals in Europe.
Melissa Wilkes is a board-certified Physician Associate with over 15 years of experience across various medical specialties including Primary Care, Aviation Medicine, Urgent Care, Trauma, and Orthopedics.
Melissa holds a Doctor of Science (DSc) in Physician Assistant Studies, with a focus on Clinical Orthopedics, from Baylor University, obtained in 2015. Prior to this, she completed her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2009, following her Bachelor of Science degree from the same institution in 2008.
She is a retired veteran of the U.S. Army, where she served honorably for 26 years. Her professional journey included roles such as Staff Physician Associate and Clinical Preceptor, as well as Adjunct Professor at the University of Nebraska and the University of Maryland Global Campus. She serves as a contractor with DOCS Health and volunteers her time providing emergency and urgent care medical coverage in Lahaina, following the wildfires on Maui. Additionally, she performs Compensation & Pension exams for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Here at Hawaii Sports and Spine Institute, she conducts comprehensive musculoskeletal medical examinations and performs a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Josh Johnson is a Physician Assistant who practices in Orthopedics. Josh has 11 years of experience as a PA, having graduated with his Master’s Degree in Medicine (MSM) from the PA program at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN in 2010. In addition, Josh obtained his Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) from Olivet Nazarene University in 2016.
Josh is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Orthopaedics for Physician Assistants, a reviewer for the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, a fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and an Adjunct Instructor in the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies at Olivet Nazarene University. He sees patients of all ages for all orthopedic injuries. He and his family are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Kona Community and to provide medical care on the Big Island.
