Kathleen Fossen
( out of 143 reviews )

Kathleen Fossen, PA-C, MPAS

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

  • Katie L. Fossen is a Physican’s Assisant (PA) at the University of Utah who exclusively treats hand, wrist and elbow conditions. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, she has been working in Orthopaedic Surgery since receiving her graduate degree, and has extensive experience in treating hand, wrist, and elbow problems.

    In addition to many common problems affecting the upper extremity, Katie Fossen, PA, also has specific expertise in treating injuries to the hand, wrist, and elbow. She helps to treat urgent and acute problems due to broken bones, tendon lacerations, nerve injuries and trauma. Katie is available to see patients with acute problems on short notice, helping to identify which injuries may need surgery urgently.

    She primarily works in concert with Dr. Andrew Tyser, MD at both the University Orthopaedic Center and the South Jordan Medical Center. Katie performs all aspects of non-surgical upper extremity care including injections, casting, and splinting, and helps to refer patients who may wish to explore surgical options with Dr. Tyser. Together, they help find the best solutions for patients with upper extremity problems, and work as an integrated team.

    Andrew R. Tyser M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Utah Hospital and Clinics who exclusively specializes in hand, upper extremity (hand / wrist / forearm / elbow), peripheral nerve, and microvascular surgery.

    Katie Fossen and Dr. Tyser treat common upper extremity disorders such as:

    Carpal tunnel syndrome

    Dupuytren's disease (collagenase/Xiaflex injection, percutaneous needle aponeurotomy, and surgery)

    Trigger finger

    Thumb arthritis

    Cubital tunnel syndrome

    Injuries of the elbow, wrist and hands including:

    Distal Radius Fractures

    Elbow Fractures

    Scaphoid Fractures

    Lacerations to nerves and tendons

    For selected smaller procedures, and based on patient preference, Dr. Tyser commonly performs "wide-awake" surgery--a streamlined experience that can help decrease the time, expense, and inconvenience associated with having hand surgery. This is also known as WALANT (wide-awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet) surgery.

    Internationally, Dr. Tyser has been involved with multiple service trips to locations such as the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. He is an active member of Health Volunteers Overseas, and considers care of the underserved both at home and abroad a priority.

    Dr. Tyser received his B.A. in Biology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and completed a residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Utah. His fellowship training in Hand and Microvascular Surgery was completed at the Curtis National Hand Center in Baltimore, MD.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 143 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety.
    Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    June 29, 2024
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    Dr. Fossen gave me the very best of care!

    June 29, 2024
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    I know that the Docs are busy but I got the impression that she was not familiar with my right hand background.

    June 24, 2024
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    Very caring and understanding. Explained everything about my care thoroughly and treated me with courtesy and respect. I have every confidence in her as my doctor!

    June 23, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Very nice and explained everything in deep details. If anyone needs a PAC Kathleen Fossen us the best.

    June 22, 2024
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    Very nice and competent

    June 14, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Fossen was very professional, kind and thorough in her examination and explanation of my malady!

    June 12, 2024
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    Ms. Fossen was polite and informative. However, she seemed to have been in a little bit of a hurry. Unfortunately ,she forgot to print information she had promise to print for me.

    May 26, 2024
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    Kathleen is a wonderful PA

    May 26, 2024
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    Kathleen Fossen carefully examined my hands and wrists, which had been very painful, with limited strength and mobility, for weeks. She had x-rays taken and explained to me what they did and didn't show. Her treatment of me followed her clear explanation to me of what she thought was causing my problems. After several weeks of debilitating weakness, lack of mobility, and pain, I'm almost back to normal only a few days after receiving treatment. I'm very grateful for the care, concern, and effective treatment by Kathleen Fossen and would unqualifiedly recommend her to anyone with problems similar to those I had experienced.

    See More Patient Comments

  • Katie L. Fossen is a Physican’s Assisant (PA) at the University of Utah who exclusively treats hand, wrist and elbow conditions. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, she has been working in Orthopaedic Surgery since receiving her graduate degree, and has extensive experience in treating hand, wrist, and elbow problems.

    In addition to many common problems affecting the upper extremity, Katie Fossen, PA, also has specific expertise in treating injuries to the hand, wrist, and elbow. She helps to treat urgent and acute problems due to broken bones, tendon lacerations, nerve injuries and trauma. Katie is available to see patients with acute problems on short notice, helping to identify which injuries may need surgery urgently.

    She primarily works in concert with Dr. Andrew Tyser, MD at both the University Orthopaedic Center and the South Jordan Medical Center. Katie performs all aspects of non-surgical upper extremity care including injections, casting, and splinting, and helps to refer patients who may wish to explore surgical options with Dr. Tyser. Together, they help find the best solutions for patients with upper extremity problems, and work as an integrated team.

    Andrew R. Tyser M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Utah Hospital and Clinics who exclusively specializes in hand, upper extremity (hand / wrist / forearm / elbow), peripheral nerve, and microvascular surgery.

    Katie Fossen and Dr. Tyser treat common upper extremity disorders such as:

    Carpal tunnel syndrome

    Dupuytren's disease (collagenase/Xiaflex injection, percutaneous needle aponeurotomy, and surgery)

    Trigger finger

    Thumb arthritis

    Cubital tunnel syndrome

    Injuries of the elbow, wrist and hands including:

    Distal Radius Fractures

    Elbow Fractures

    Scaphoid Fractures

    Lacerations to nerves and tendons

    For selected smaller procedures, and based on patient preference, Dr. Tyser commonly performs "wide-awake" surgery--a streamlined experience that can help decrease the time, expense, and inconvenience associated with having hand surgery. This is also known as WALANT (wide-awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet) surgery.

    Internationally, Dr. Tyser has been involved with multiple service trips to locations such as the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. He is an active member of Health Volunteers Overseas, and considers care of the underserved both at home and abroad a priority.

    Dr. Tyser received his B.A. in Biology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and completed a residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Utah. His fellowship training in Hand and Microvascular Surgery was completed at the Curtis National Hand Center in Baltimore, MD.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Orthopaedics -Midlevel
    Board Certification
    National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

    Education history

    Graduate Training Physician Assistant Studies - Idaho State University M.P.A.S.
    Biological Sciences - University of Nebraska B.S.