The origins of Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute began more than 50 years ago when Dr. Albin Jahns opened a practice in Gary, Indiana. Doctors Olson and Alvarez later joined him; 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 A. 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 name. Valparaiso Orthopedic Clinic became Lakeshore Bone and 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 physicians made a commitment to create a complete orthopedics 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 completion of the two-story, 35,000 square foot building in May of 2004. The exam rooms are arranged in pod configuration. 6 doctors can 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 the patients with a higher level of care.
Our founders and most of the current partners are from Northwest Indiana and Chicago. Lakeshore Bone and Joint Institute employs more than 150 healthcare and support staff. Close, convenient, stellar care.