C. Philip Volk, MD, Orthopedics

Carol Blattspieler is an orthopedic nurse practitioner and radiologic technologist at The University of Vermont Medical Center and an assistant clinical professor in the Graduate Nurse Practitioner Program at the UVM College of Nursing and Health Sciences.Carol’s specialties include working with athletes in sports medicine, aging, trauma, fractures, nutrition and general orthopedics in lower and upper extremities (except for patients with shoulder problems). She treats conditions such as osteoarthritis in the knee and other overuse injuries that don’t require surgery.Her research interests involve ski-related knee injuries.Carol is a five time Ironman athlete and has been ranked at the World level. She has run in over 30 marathons, qualified for the Boston marathon several times and has been a past National Ironman Champion in her age group. She lives and breathes what she teaches her patients and students. She loves helping others, developing relationships with her patients and motivating those who desire to improve their quality of life.Learn more about orthopedic care at the UVM Medical Center.

Tendon injuries can be very painful and difficult to heal, even with rest, medications and physical therapy. Listen to Dr. David Lisle describe another option that involves injecting your own blood into the injury as a way to stimulate healing. on

Marie-Claire Smith joined The University of Vermont Medical Center's Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Center in South Burlington, VT as an advanced practice nurse practitioner in 2012. Her specialties include foot and ankle fractures, acute and chronic foot and ankle problems, and diabetic foot problems. Marie-Claire manages non-operative fractures of the feet and ankles, acute injuries and chronic problems –including sprains, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, corns and calluses – and undiagnosed foot and ankle pain. Marie-Claire believes that in the ideal provider-patient relationship, the provider offers guidance while taking in account the patient’s level of literacy, their needs and their values. The patient must take charge of their health and make informed decisions, while trusting the provider enough to truthfully share any obstacle that might prevent them from reaching their goals. In 2006, Marie-Claire was named the University of Vermont’s Staff Woman of the Year.