Congratulations on Retiring, Dr. Ray van den Hoven!
After 35 years of practicing medicine, Dr. Ray van den Hoven is hanging up the lab coat and heading into retirement.
His medical journey began when he graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California. While he initially pursued internal medicine, the time commitment gradually pulled him away. That’s when he found physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) and began his residency at Ohio State University.
After a short sabbatical following the completion of his residency training, van den Hoven moved his family to Colorado in July of 1990. In the Spring of 1991, van den Hoven was ready to set up his practice and sent out surveys to local doctors’ offices that might be interested in his services: PM&R and electromyography tests (EMGs), a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of skeletal muscles and nerve cells.
Shortly thereafter, Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies (OCR) responded. For years, van den Hoven’s expertise brought new patients to OCR and provided them with a unique way to manage their pain. After eight years of part-time work, OCR asked Dr. van den Hoven to join full-time, conducting EMGs and seeing patients needing sports medicine and workers’ compensation care.
Starting in 2023, he shifted his practice at OCR to conducting EMGs exclusively. After serving as the only PM&R provider at OCR for many years, Jordan Feierman, DO, joined the team in December 2023. Feierman’s addition came at a great time, giving van den Hoven a chance to focus on a specific subset of conditions requiring EMGs and PM&R treatment.
“Ray was the first person I met at OCR. He has served as a mentor and friend. He’s helped me with many difficult EMG questions, especially early on, and has assisted me in developing my own EMG style,” said Feierman. “Countless patients of mine also comment on Ray’s unique style and his jokes, but that’s how we know he is a great and memorable one. He will be missed by our patients and team but will always be recognized as the founder of PM&R at OCR. Congratulations on the retirement, Ray!”
When asked about how entering retirement feels, van den Hoven states, “It is a bittersweet feeling. I never actually envisioned myself quitting or retiring; you almost feel like you could work forever!”
Retirement gives him extra time to spend with his wife, three children, and eight grandchildren. As he settles into retirement, Dr. van den Hoven plans to keep learning, build things around his house, and travel with his family.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Ray van den Hoven on an incredible career! He will be greatly missed!