Dr. Jeffrey M. Smith is an accomplished orthopaedic trauma surgeon in San Diego who helps other surgeons to implement strategies for a sustainable and fulfilling surgical practice/career. Having started the trauma fellowship program in San Diego, Dr. Smith is involved in research projects related to fracture care, orthopaedic traumatology, and teaching of medical students and residents. Through his work as a fellowship director, Dr. Smith continually strives to make a positive impact through teaching colleagues, residents and fellows how to be better surgeons AND how to have a successful and fulfilling career. Dr. Smith’s teaching inspires and leads these Surgeons to transform their habits, attitude, and performance inside and outside the operating room for a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle-friendly surgical practice and career that positively impacts those around them.
Dr. Smith is a fellowship trained Orthopaedic Traumatologist with over 10 years of experience in the care of the polytraumatized patient. He completed his Orthopaedic residency training and completed a Trauma Fellowship at the University of Tennessee – Campbell Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee in 1997. Dr. Smith completed a Joint Reconstruction and Trauma Fellowship at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Regional Trauma Unit at the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he worked with Marvin Tile, one of the world-renowned experts in pelvic and acetabular fractures. Dr. Smith is fascinated by the human body, mind, and soul, Dr. Smith feels he has a natural calling to contribute to the care of other human beings and loves to take care of trauma patients, and he has a particular interest in the care of patients with Pelvic and Acetabular Fractures.
Formerly Chief of the Division of the Orthopaedic Trauma at UCSD, he uses his knowledge and expertise to effect significant changes in patients’ health and well-being on a daily basis. Dr. Smith began his practice as the Chief of the Division of Orthopaedic Trauma at the University of California San Diego. After five years at UCSD, he entered into private practice and formed Orthopaedic Trauma and Fracture Specialists Medical Corporation (OTFS) with his ongoing goal to make significant progress in the care of trauma and fracture patients in San Diego County. This group has a particular interest of providing high quality, patient focused subspecialty care to patients with musculoskeletal injuries in the private practice setting.
Dr. Smith is a member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Past President of the San Diego Chapter of the Western Orthopaedic Association.
Dr. Uppal is Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery with extensive fellowship training in Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery. His clinical interests include polytrauma care, complex periarticular fractures, pelvis and acetabular fractures, malunions, nonunions and infections.
After successful completion of his Orthopaedic Residency at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Dr. Uppal did his Orthopaedic Trauma fellowship at the very busy University of Southern California and Los Angeles County Hospital. In addition, he completed a lengthy AO Trauma Pelvis and Acetabular Fellowship at the country’s busiest level 1 trauma center; The University of Texas-Houston Hermann Memorial Hospital under the mentorship of Milton “Chip” Routt, MD, who is regarded as one of the world’s best pelvic surgeons. He has also spent considerable time studying at the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center, one of the best trauma hospitals in the world.
Dr. Uppal first started practice at the Medical College of Wisconsin, which is Wisconsin’s busiest level 1 academic medical center. After over 3 years there he matriculated back home to Southern California to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Orange County. He was the chief of Pelvis and Acetabular Surgery for Orange County and also served on staff at UC Irvine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as an Assistant Clinical Professor.
Dr. Uppal is also highly passionate about resident education. He is an AO Trauma Faculty member and regularly travels across the US to teach both basic and advanced courses to residents. In addition, he also is an active member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS), Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and member of the California Orthopaedic Association.
Among Dr. Uppal’s most recent publications is literature on bone grafting to help difficult fractures to heal, the biomechanics of high energy lower extremity trauma for the Department of Defense and a surgical technique video on fixation of high energy foot trauma.
Trauma is often unexpected and can sometimes be a life changing event and Dr. Uppal works very hard not only in the operating room but also throughout his patients’ recovery to help them regain their level of function they had previously. He is a patient advocate and works tirelessly on their behalf as he wants nothing but the best for them.
Dr. Uppal was born and raised in Southern California. While outside of work he spends much of his time with his wife and three sons. His family is nearby and sees them often. He enjoys weight lifting, golfing, biking and spending time at the zoo with his kids. He joined Orthopaedic Trauma and Fracture Specialists in November 2018.
Dr. Joel Smith studied both medical and Orthopedic practices at several universities. After obtaining a Masters in Science from Occidental College, he went on to get his medical degree from the University of Minnesota. He remained in Minnesota for twenty years, completing his residency and working as an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota, Hennepin County Hospital. In 2007, Dr. Smith returned to San Diego, California, where he grew up, and started his own practice and is currently affiliated with the various Sharp Hospitals. Dr. Smith is board certified in Orthopedic Surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Mr. Edson focuses his practice on insurance and business litigation. Mr. Edson represents insurance companies that are sued for bad faith, fraud and unfair competition. He also provides coverage opinions, conducts examinations under oath, and helps with the drafting of insurance policies and applications. His clients include Allstate, Infinity, Travelers, Wawanesa, and OneBeacon. He represents insurance clients throughout California. John also has experience in employment and bankruptcy litigation.
Joseph received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After receiving his degree he went on to complete a post professional residency to specialize in sports physical therapy at the University of Delaware. During this time he worked with a variety of athletes at the Division 1 level as well as many recreational athletes. Joseph is an APTA certified clinical instructor and has instructed physical therapy students both in the classroom and clinic settings. Prior to receiving his DPT, he graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Rehabilitation Science. Joseph provides physical therapy services to sports and orthopedic patients with a strong focus on the latest evidence-based practice and manual therapy techniques. While specializing in sports physical therapy Joseph received extensive training in the specialized field of concussion management and rehabilitation which continues to be a primary focus of his practice.
Dr. Coutts attended San Diego State University in California and received his MD from UCLA Medical School. He continued his education with a residency in orthopedic surgery at San Diego County University Hospital, University of California, San Diego, as well as a fellowship in orthopedic research at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Center in Oxford, England. He also spent one year as a Clinical and Research Fellow at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass., where he studied joint reconstruction. He retired from practice at Orthopedic Medical Group of San Diego and as co-director of an adult reconstructive fellowship. Dr. Coutts was also the medical director for orthopedics for the Sharp HealthCare system for several years into retirement. He was an adjunct professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of California, San Diego.
Dr. Coutts is a past president of the Orthopaedic Research Society and past president of the Hip Society. He is a former chairman of the Council of Musculoskeletal Specialty Societies for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Coutts has been Vice President of Grants and the Chairman of the Board for the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF.) He has served on the board of directors of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He also served as past chair of the Sharp HealthCare Foundation. He served as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons representative to the Medical Technology Leadership Forum. He was the President of the Board of Directors for the Malcolm and Dorothy Coutts Institute for Joint Reconstruction and Research in San Diego. Dr. Coutts was a member of multiple societies and published almost 200 articles, abstracts and book chapters.
Dr. Coutts did research in tissue engineering of cartilage and the natural history of osteoarthritis, as well as various clinical subjects related to hip and knee replacement surgery. His strong interest in orthopedic research and, specifically, the subspecialty of joint reconstruction led to an effort to establish a National Total Joint Registry. The data derived from such an effort has the potential to improve the outcomes for patients undergoing joint replacement surgery and support progress in the field of joint reconstruction.
Dr. Sanzone strives to provide superior orthopaedic care in a compassionate environment and to make a positive, meaningful difference in the health of the individuals whom he treats.
Dr. Sanzone is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and is board certified by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California San Diego and continued his orthopaedic education at Boston University where he completed his residency. Dr. Sanzone specialized in orthopaedic traumatology by completing a fellowship at the University of Washington at Harborview Medical Center.
Currently in private practice in San Diego and Chula Vista (Eastlake area), Dr. Sanzone maintains an academic relationship with UCSD Medical School and is a staff member of the Department of Orthopaedics. Dr. Sanzone was a co-founder of the San Diego Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship with Dr. Jeff Smith and actively instructed the fellows on the discipline of fracture care. He is a member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, California Orthopaedic Association and Western Orthopaedic Association. He is on staff at hospitals throughout San Diego County.
Dr. Dalstrom received fellowship training in both Foot and Ankle and Trauma. Dr. Dalstrom transitioned to an academic position as X clinical professor at the University of California San Diego after X years at Torrey Pines Orthopaedic Medical Group (TPOMG). His specialties include fracture care, post-traumatic reconstruction and foot and ankle surgery. He served as the Chief of Orthopedics at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, the hospital’s orthopedic representative for the committee on trauma and at Mammoth Hospital. When he isn’t working, Dr. Dalstrom enjoys spending time with his wife, a vascular surgeon on active duty for the U.S. Navy, and his dog, Sydney. An Ironman triathlete, Dr. Dalstrom runs, bikes, hikes, snowboards, and does mixed martial arts. His favorite hobby is marksmanship, but cooking on his grill is a close second. Dr. Dalstrom received his medical degree from Ohio State University and completed his residency at Wright State University Orthopedic Residency in Dayton, Ohio. Fellowship programs include Wright State University Orthopedic Trauma Fellowship and Harborview Foot and Ankle Fellowship in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Dalstrom is a member of the Orthopedic Trauma Association, American Association of Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons, California Orthopedic Association, San Diego County Medical Society and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.