Our mission is to relieve pain and improve function in patients suffering from arthritis.
Welcome to the Joint Replacement Center of Southeastern Connecticut
We perform over 700 surgical procedures annually, including replacements of the hip, knee, and shoulder. We use advanced surgical techniques and patient-centered post-operative care models that have been proven to optimize recovery. Our team has a track record of fewer complications, rapid recovery, and long lasting benefits for our patients.
Our team includes board-certified joint replacement surgeons, nurses, therapists, and transitional care specialists—all with training that is focused on providing individualized care of the joint replacement patient.
R. Justin Thoms, MD
Co-Director of the Joint Replacement Center at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital
Dr. Thoms is a board-certified fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement surgery. He was raised in northern Wisconsin, and attended Kenyon College earning undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Philosophy. He received his medical degree from the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and completed his orthopedic residency at LIJ-North Shore University Hospital on Long Island. He specialized in joint replacement surgery with the Otto Aufranc Fellowship at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, MA. Professional interests and research includes postoperative pain management, revision joint replacement surgery, and the design and function of joint replacements.
Christopher Hutchins, MD
Co-Director of the Joint Replacement Center at Lawrence+Memorial Hospital
Dr. Hutchins is a board-certified, fellowship-trained Orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hip, knee and shoulder replacement surgery. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Stanford University, and he received his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He served his internship in general surgery and his residency in orthopaedic surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He then competed a fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Surgery at The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
Toni L. Schlais, BSN, ACM-RN
Transitional Care Manager, Joint Center of Excellence
Toni is a Registered Nurse for the Joint Center of Excellence at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital. She obtained an Associates degree in Nursing from Three Rivers Community College, a Bachelors degree in Nursing from the University of Hartford and is expected to complete her Masters degree in Public Health Nursing from the University of Hartford in May 2019. Toni has worked in Case Management for seven years and has obtained certification as an Accredited Case Manager. She is committed to providing patient centric care and strives to educate, advocate and support patients to reach their optimal health goals. Her passion is improving patients’ overall wellbeing by addressing their social determinate of health. She is a member of the American Nurses Association and the American Case Management Association.
Monica Pepin BSN,RNC,ONC
Joint and Spine Program Coordinator
Monica is a registered nurse at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital certified in orthopedic nursing. She received her Bachelors degree from Central Connecticut State University and is currently working on achieving her Masters in Nursing. She has been employed at L&M Hospital for 19 years with her focus being the care of orthopedic and post surgical patients. Her passion is educating patients and families to ensure a successful recovery from surgery as well as working to guarantee their time in the hospital is a positive experience with superior outcomes.
