Remembering Dr. Dale Hoekstra

It is with great sadness that we share the Health Sciences Center’s loss of Dr. Dale Hoekstra, who passed away on Monday, November 3, 2014. Dr. Hoekstra served as medical director for Carrie Tingley Hospital, specialized in pediatric orthopaedics and had been a practicing medical doctor for nearly 40 years. He spent much of his time selflessly teaching medical students and residents the skills necessary to become skilled and compassionate orthopaedic surgeons. In total, Dr. Hoekstra mentored and instructed some 40 residents and fellows at UNM.

Dr. Hoekstra joined us in 2007 and was “an amazing professor and hire,” said Dr. Bob Schenck, Professor and Chair of the UNM Department of Orthopaedics, who recently nominated Dr. Hoekstra for UNM School of Medicine’s coveted “Golden-Headed Cane Award” for faculty. “His leadership and sense of humor were wonderful gifts he brought to UNM orthopaedics.”

Dr. Hoekstra earned his MD at Wayne State and completed an internship and residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan. He fulfilled a second residency in Pediatric Orthopaedics at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. Additionally, he provided eight years of military service at USAF medical facilities nationwide as Chief of Pediatric Orthopaedics.

Dr. Hoekstra later served as Director of the Spinal Deformities Clinic at Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital. During his nearly 10 years there, he became active in the Scoliosis Research Society, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He also worked in private practice for 18 years as a Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon at Rochester Hills Orthopaedics, where a team approach to comprehensive orthopaedic and spine care is emphasized. He served as president and leader of his group.

Dr. Hoekstra joined the UNM School of Medicine in 2007 where he became a committed leader and sage advisor to faculty, residents, and medical students. “He was a respected didactic lecturer on Pediatric Orthopaedics and key contributor to the annual Carrie Tingley Hospital Annual Winter Conference,” said Dr. Schenck. “He will remain in our memories as a wonderful husband, father, teacher, physician, colleague and friend. He gave so much to us at UNM and will be sincerely missed.”