About Us
Continuing a Legacy of Orthopedic Excellence
The origins of Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute began more than 50 years ago when Dr. Albin Jahns opened a practice in Gary, Indiana. Drs. L. Dale Olson and Paul Alvarez later joined him and the three doctors soon moved to a larger space in Merrillville.
In 1975, the practice founded the Valparaiso Orthopedic Clinic on the north side of Valparaiso, and shortly thereafter, Dr. James Malayter joined the group. In 1990, with three more orthopedic specialists, they undertook a major expansion of their Valparaiso offices. Their vision was to provide stellar orthopedic care in Northwest Indiana.
It took little time to grow out of the Valparaiso clinic and the need for a total makeover became apparent. A changeover took form and started with a change in the name. Valparaiso Orthopedic Clinic became Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute. The goal was to create a comprehensive orthopedic bone and joint center that would serve Porter County and the surrounding Northwest Indiana communities. The partner doctors made a commitment to create a complete orthopedic care center that would better serve the orthopedic need of the patients of Northwest Indiana under one roof.
In 2003, ground was broken in Chesterton’s Coffee Creek Center with the completion of the two-story, 35,000 square foot building in May 2004. The exam rooms are arranged in pod configuration allowing six doctors to practice from one location and get patients in quickly and efficiently. Since the opening in Chesterton, additional Northwest Indiana locations were opened to reach out to the community and better serve patients with a higher level of care.
Our founders and most of the current partners are from Northwest Indiana and Chicago. Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute employs more than 150 healthcare and support staff. Close, convenient, stellar care.
Mission
To provide excellence in musculoskeletal care to all of our patients using state-of-the-art technology with integrity and a spirit of compassion that encompasses all that we do.
Vision
Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute will provide:
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Clinical Excellence
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Provide optimal outcomes for our patients; restore, maintain, and enhance health. Using an integrated approach, we are dedicated to providing quality surgical and nonsurgical care to our patients.
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Service Excellence
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Strive to meet and exceed expectations for those we are dedicated to serve—our patients, their families, and the referral sources that trust their patients to our care.
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Teamwork Excellence
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Recognize that cooperation between ourselves and our clinical and business partners will be essential in providing outstanding healthcare services. Build a network of resources that will combine into an integrated seamless system of musculoskeletal care to our patients.
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Founders
Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute was founded by:
- Albin A. Jahns, M.D., Founder – Deceased
- L. Dale Olson, M.D. – Deceased
- Paul Alvarez, M.D. – Deceased
Northwest Indiana Community Support
Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute is proud to be the team doctors for:
- Valparaiso University
- Indiana Elite FC
- Boone Grove High School
- Chesterton High School
- Crown Point High School
- Kankakee Valley High School
- LaPorte High School
- Portage High School
- Valparaiso High School
Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute is proud to support the following local organizations in Northwest Indiana:
- Boone Grove High School Athletic Department
- Boys & Girls Club of Porter County
- Chesterton Firefighters Golf Outing
- Chesterton High School Athletic Department
- Chicago Fire Juniors NW Indiana Soccer Club
- Crown Point High School Athletic Department
- LaPorte Hospital Foundation
- Opportunity Enterprises
- Portage High School Athletic Department
- Portage Little League
- Portage Parks & Recreation Department Volleyball Program
- Robbie Hummel Basketball Camp
- State Park Little League
- The Courts of Northwest Indiana
- Valparaiso Americans Home Run Sponsor
- Valparaiso University Athletics – Corporate Sponsor
- Valparaiso Vikings Quarterback Club
- Valpo Pop Warner Sponsor
- Washington Township Golf Outing