Veterans Day 2016

10 Nov. 9, 2016
www.LakeNewsOnline.com

VETERAN VOICES By Cody Mroczka

Lake Regional surgeons

Army service included
deployment to Baghdad
Growing up in the scenic, natural land- Hofer applied and was accepted into the
scape of the Rocky Mountains, Scott Hofer Armys Health Profession Scholarship Pro-
didnt have all the digital distractions that gram, awarded a full-scholarship.
kids have these days. I have always enjoyed seeing new places
Naturally, the Lake Regional Orthopedic and had no difficulties with the some-
Surgeon and Army Veteran, spent most of times nomadic life of a soldier, Hofer said.
his childhood out- At all postings I
doors playing foot- sought out the local
ball and other sports cultures to maximize
with his older broth- the experience to
ers before being include South Ko-
drawn to the speed rea, Germany,
of the mountains. Kuwait, Iraq (maybe
Believe it or not, not so much), since
at one time a $12-15 experiencing the cul- Scott Hofer, D.O., is pictured arriving at Baghdad International Airport (BIAP in
military speak) on his 38th birthday in 2004. PHOTO PROVIDED
ski lift ticket seemed ture was a bit dan-
expensive (compare gerous.
that with $120-150 a It was through the
day now) so I be- Army that Hofer de-
came involved with veloped a connection
the National Ski Pa- to the Lake area. Af-
trol System (NSPS) ter originally opting
in order to subsidize to be assigned in Eu-
my ski habit, Hofer rope, no spots be-
said. I worked as a came available and
volunteer for seven his second choice
years and as a Pro was Alaska but his
for two. This was my wife was not buying
first involvement in in, so Fort Leonard
first aid and was a Wood in mid-Mis-
definite step in my souri came into the
progression towards Board-certified in orthopedic surgery picture.
a career in Sports and sports medicine, Dr. Scott Hofer Honestly, we had
Medicine and Or- currently serves the lake community as a great experience
thopedics. The a surgeon with Lake Regional Orthope- and loved it, Hofer
dics. PHOTO PROVIDED
Army came into the said. After I got out
picture as a way to pay for medical school. of the Army, and was looking for a practice,
In fact, Hofer even worked as a Profes- we discovered that the hospital here was re-
sional Ski Patroller and at one point was of- cruiting an orthopedic surgeon so we came
fered a tryout with the Pro Mogul Tour. to check it out. The rest is history.
However, he quickly discovered that the ski- Hofer said he was drawn to the Lake by
bum lifestyle exhibited by some of his co- the beauty of the area, the abundant out-
workers wasnt all what it was cracked up door opportunities, and that it feels some- The
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I was too goal orientated and ambitious sounds, he said, you cant do anything
for that to happen to me, Hofer said. there without it being crowded with thou- Phone 573.964.1919 Fax Phone 573.280.7654
Fortunately, I think I have always found a sands of others. 573.964.0410 573.964.0016
sort of balance where I can continue to be While in the Army, Hofer rose to the rank  -- s .ORTHSHORE  -- s .ORTHSHORE
an athlete and a professional. ___________________________________ 7  IN ,AKE /ZARK 7  IN ,AKE /ZARK
Knowing then that he wanted to pursue
See HOFER, page 12 WWWDOCKWORKSNET WWWGOROCKWORKSCOM
a career in sports medicine and orthopedics,

WE HONOR AND
THANK YOU EVERYDAY!

We would like to take a moment to

honor, remember, and pay tribute to the
men and women, past and present,
who have served, fought, sacrificed, I would like to thank the brave men
and protected our great nation. Without
and women who served and sacrificed
your bravery, our country would not
be what is is today.
for our freedom.

Remembering as well, a loved

Veteran in our lives...
We miss you, Gerald. Malcolm Decker, Agent
1179 S. Highway 54
Camdenton, MO 65020
Bus: 573-346-5920
Thank you for mac.decker.le2o@statefarm.com
your love, loyalty
Gerald McCrary
and dedication to
1924-2015
Service - Navy our country and
1941-1945 to our family.
Okinawa

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