James Whitaker, DO

Physician Biography

Dr James Whitaker is an Osteopathic Physician (D.O.) or osteopath. He is a board certified physiatrist and specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (also known as PM&R or Physiatry).

Dr. Whitaker is a graduate of Boise State University. While completing his undergraduate degree, he completed his education to become a Certified Massage Therapist.

After graduation from Boise State, Dr. Whitaker chose to attend A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, the founding school of Osteopathic Medicine. While attending medical school in Missouri, Dr. Whitaker elected to spend an additional year completing a fellowship in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM aka OMT). OMM is similar in many ways to the manipulative treatments that chiropractors/chiropractic or physical therapists utilize. During his fellowship year he worked in an OMM Outpatient Clinic and taught 1st and 2nd year medical students.

After graduating from Medical School, Dr. Whitaker completed his Internship at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He then completed a M.D. residency at University of Missouri – Columbia, spending the last year as a Chief Resident.

Finally, Dr Whitaker returned to Idaho in 2014 and opened Idaho Joint and Spine. He is excited to be able to serve the needs of Boise, Meridian, Mountain Home, Eagle, Star, Nampa, Kuna, Caldwell, as well as the rest of the Treasure Valley.

While Dr. Whitaker enjoys his professional life immensely, he loves his family even more. Family is the reason he returned to Idaho to open his own specialty practice. He truly enjoys serving his patients and treating them like family. Dr. Whitaker is a proud husband and father. He enjoys spending quality time with his family, serving in his church, and is an enthusiastic Boise State fan.