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D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 6
D
R. JESSICA HART IS AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON SPECIAL-
IZING IN SPORTS MEDICINE AT ORTHO MONTANA IN
MISSOULA, which, like all their locations, provides orthopedic
care throughout western Montana, focusing on both surgical
and non-surgical treatments for the demanding physical lives
Montanans lead. A former collegiate gymnast, she completed
her fellowship at the University of Colorado before relocating
to Montana, where she now treats everyone from high school
athletes to working ranchers.
YOU'VE WORKED WITH SOME PRETTY HIGH-PROFILE TEAMS—COLORADO AVALANCHE, CU
FOOTBALL, DENVER UNIVERSITY HOCKEY. WHAT BROUGHT YOU FROM THAT WORLD TO
MONTANA, AND WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT PRACTICING ORTHOPEDICS HERE?
Working with elite teams was an incredible experience, but
Montana offered something that felt more sustainable and
meaningful long-term—both professionally and personally.
What surprised me most is how high the level of athleticism still
is here. People may not be playing professionally, but they ski
hard, work hard, and expect their bodies to perform at a very
high level. The expectations are different, but the stakes are of-
ten just as high.
YOU WERE A COLLEGIATE GYMNAST BEFORE BECOMING AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON.
HOW DID THAT EXPERIENCE SHAPE YOUR APPROACH TO SPORTS MEDICINE? DOES
HAVING BEEN AN ATHLETE YOURSELF CHANGE HOW YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR PA-
TIENTS ARE GOING THROUGH?
Being a gymnast taught me discipline, body awareness, and
what it feels like to push through injury—sometimes wisely,
A CO N V E R SAT I O N WIT H
ORTHO MONTANA'S
DR. JESSICA HART
