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Heather Harris

Physician Assistant Specializing in Spine Care

Heather Harris is a board-certified physician assistant who specializes in spine care, including the cervical and lumbar spine. Since 2014, she has assisted Dr. Stephen Ritter in the operating room performing minimally invasive spine procedures. A vital member of the spine team at Forté, Heather cares for patients before and after surgery. She offers a personalized and streamlined approach to treating the spine by focusing on comprehensive care utilizing other specialists in the practice, if needed.

Prior to joining Forté, Heather worked at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where she was part of the team involved in the implantation of the first SynCardia total artificial heart in the State of Indiana. She discovered her love of orthopedics while pursuing her undergraduate degree in athletic training and assisting various athletic teams in their sports medicine care.

Outside of the classroom, she was captain of the Franklin College Division III Women’s Soccer Team, and in 2003, as a freshman, she was chosen for the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference Team. In graduate school, Heather was a leader within her physician assistant class and worked as a student liaison to the Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants, even participating as a student representative to the American Academy of Physician Assistants House of Delegates on the national level. Since then, she has been active within the Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants, serving as president among other positions.

When she’s not at work, Heather enjoys hosting gatherings for her family and close friends. You can usually find her reading a good book or corralling friends for a board game night. She and her husband enjoy spending time outdoors camping and hiking with their two children and fluffy dog.

Areas of Focus

Spine Care | Degenerative Disc Disease | Disc herniation | Myelopathy | Nerve Impingement | Radiculopathy | Sciatica | Spinal Stenosis | Spondylolisthesis | Acute Low Back Pain |  Acute Neck Pain |

Memberships and Services

  • American Academy of Physician Assistants, Indiana House of Delegates, Representative, 2009-2015
  • Franklin College, Division III Women’s Soccer Team, Captain
  • Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants, Immediate Past President, 2015-2016
  • Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants, President, 2014-2015
  • Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants, President-Elect, 2013-2014
  • Indiana University Health, Cardiovascular Surgery Services, Physician Assistant Team Lead, 2013-2014
  • Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital, Heart and Lung Transplant Department, Physician Assistant to the Surgical Director

Certifications

  • National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Physician Assistant Certification, 2009

Education

  • Franklin College, Franklin, Indiana – BS (Athletic Training)
  • University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana – MS (Medicine)

Awards

  • Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, All-Conference Team, 2003
  • University of Saint Francis, Leadership Award, 2008-2009
Quote
My patients can expect a personalized and streamlined approach to treating their spine injuries.
Heather Harris
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Until you have knee pain, you may not realize how much more your knee does than just help you walk. Left untreated, knee ailments can also lead to other pain in your lower back, hips, ankles and feet.

Let our team of specialists provide a quick diagnosis and customized treatment plan to help you feel better, faster.

Learn more at bit.ly/3W6MpYP.

#BackToYourForte #orthopedics #sportsmedicine
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Until you have knee pain, you may not realize how much more your knee does than just help you walk. Left untreated, knee ailments can also lead to other pain in your lower back, hips, ankles and feet.

Let our team of specialists provide a quick diagnosis and customized treatment plan to help you feel better, faster.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/3W6MpYP.

#BackToYourForte #Orthopedics #SportsMedicine

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Hear from Butler Sr. Associate Athletic Director Ralph Reiff, head team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Bender and head team physician Dr. Phil Blaney as they discuss how their unique roles keep athletes in the game.

Learn more at bit.ly/3LBfR6v.

#butlerway #BackToYourForte #sportsmedicine #orthopedics Franciscan Health
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Are you training for upcoming marathons or races this spring? Help prevent injury with our Run Fit program.

Using video analysis, we break down the biomechanics of your running/walking gait and offer exercises that address range of motion deficits, faulty running mechanics and injury prevention.

Learn more about scheduling your Run Fit appointment at bit.ly/3X5mIrg.

#BackToYourForte #sportsmedicine #orthopedics
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Are you training for upcoming marathons or races this spring? Help prevent injury with our Run Fit program.

Using video analysis, we break down the biomechanics of your running/walking gait and offer exercises that address range of motion deficits, faulty running mechanics and injury prevention.

Learn more about scheduling your Run Fit appointment at https://bit.ly/3X5mIrg.

#BackToYourForte #SportsMedicine #Orthopedics
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