Spotlight on Our Orthopedic Team: Meet Susan Stewart, Medical Assistant

Susan Stewart, medical assistant at Integrated Orthopedics, has a 28-year history in the field of orthopedic medicine that began while she was still in high school. During summers, Susan worked at her father’s practice, Arizona Orthopedic Associates. Her father, George A. Van De Wyngaerde MD, PC, served the Phoenix community for 40 years as an orthopedic surgeon and as chief of staff at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix (formerly Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center) during his career, before retiring six years ago.

After high school, Susan attended the University of San Diego and then transferred to the University of Arizona, where she studied business and nutrition. She returned to work full-time at her father’s practice in 1986 as a medical assistant.

“I loved working for my father,” said Susan. “He was such a nice man to work for, was an excellent orthopedic surgeon and taught me to be a very caring assistant.” She added that he was also Navy-trained and showed her how to work efficiently. Her older brother later joined the practice as an orthopedic surgeon. “We had a great time as a family working together,” she said.

After her father retired, Susan began working with Brian Gruber, MD, MBA. When Dr. Gruber founded and opened Integrated Orthopedics in 2015, Susan joined him there and continued working as his medical assistant.

Susan greatly values the strong working relationship that the team at Integrated Orthopedics has. “Having worked with my family for so long, I was used to comradery at work,” she noted. “Integrated Orthopedics is a similar environment. As a small practice, we are all very close, and I consider them all family.”

As a medical assistant, Susan enjoys the time she spends talking with and caring for people. She believes that making people comfortable and providing quality care is very important. Susan also enjoys the challenges of her job. “Dr. Gruber is very knowledgeable and is always learning the newest techniques,” she stated. “It’s a fun challenge to learn these techniques as he integrates them into the practice.”

While not working at Integrated Orthopedics, Susan enjoys spending time at her family’s cabin in Greer, Arizona, where she loves to ski. She also enjoys concerts, running, bike-riding and time spent at the beach.

Susan is an Arizona native and resides here with her husband Ed. They have been married for 30 years and have two children, their daughter Michelle and son Daniel.