About the San Diego Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship Program
The San Diego Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship was formed in 2005 to educate and train orthopaedic trauma surgeons. Under the mentorship of Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, FACS, FAAOS, CPC, Harmeeth S. Uppal, MD, FAAOS, and Joel J. Smith, MD, the San Diego Orthopaedic Trauma Fellow cares for orthopaedic trauma and fracture patients at three hospitals in San Diego County.
- Sharp Memorial Hospital San Diego
- Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
- Palomar Medical Center Escondido.
The Program strives for the fellow to make substantial advancements in surgical skill and clinical judgment during their one-year experience. The fellow will receive substantial operative time with mentorship from faculty, and a comprehensive educational curriculum to supplement their hands-on experience. The educational curriculum includes an indications conference where pre-operative and post-operative xrays are discussed, University Grand Rounds Conference, and monthly morbidity and mortality conference. The fellow will spend time with each faculty member in the operating room and clinic, and learn advanced trauma principles and current literature. The fellow will attend monthly journal clubs and present one month. The fellow is also required to complete a research project with guidance from the faculty.
San Diego Orthopaedic Trauma Program Fellows
Dr. Dean grew up in Colorado where he received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado. Prior to medical school, he worked as an engineer earning multiple patents on medical device designs. He went to New York Medical College where he received AOA honors, and went on to complete his orthopedic residency at the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 2023. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter as well as running, mountain biking, and riding motorcycles.
Dr. Worrell is a Virginia native and graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise. He continued his medical education at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine receiving his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in Cleveland, Ohio at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation – South Pointe Hospital in June of 2021.
Dr. Boe graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Biomedical Sciences. He continued his Medical Education at the University of North Texas Health Science Center receiving his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his Residency at Jersey City Medical Center in June of 2019. Dr. Boe completed his fellowship in July 2020, and is currently practicing in Little Rock, Arkansas at Baptist Health.
Dr. Beenken graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance. She continued her medical training at Des Moines University receiving her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency at McLaren Macomb Army Medical Center and is a Captain, Flight Surgeon in the Air National Guard. Dr. Beenken completed her fellowship in July 2018, and is currently practicing in Duluth, Minnesota at Essentia Health.
Dr. Ruby graduated from the University of Southern California, magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree. She continued her medical training at the University of Southern California receiving her Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Ruby conducted her orthopaedic surgery residency at the LAC+USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Ruby completed her fellowship in July 2017, and is currently practicing in San Diego at Joel J. Smith, MD, Inc.
Dr. Vitale received his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology from Michigan State University. He continued at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine receiving his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine in 2010, and completed his residency at the McLaren-Macomb Regional Center in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Dr.Vitale completed his fellowship in July 2016, and is currently practicing in Mount Clemens, Michigan at McLaren Macomb Orthopedics & Trauma.
Dr. Jester received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree from the University of Richmond in Virginia. He attended St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies and Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia earning his medical degree. Dr. Jester completed his residency at the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine where he continues his medical practice. Dr. Jester completed his the fellowship in July 2015, and is currently practicing in Tampa, Florida.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Dr. Reddy is a proud Texan. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a pre-medicine emphasis from Texas Tech University. Dr. Reddy became interested in orthopaedic traumatology after participating in a mission trip to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. He went on to earn his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and conducted his orthopaedic surgery residency at Indiana University School of Medicine. He volunteered on an orthopedic mission trip to India in December 2012 before starting his fellowship with San Diego Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship. His favorite quote to live by is “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” -Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. Reddy completed his fellowship in July 2014 and is currently practicing in Salinas, California.
Dr. Sansone was born and raised in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin, earning both his undergraduate and medical degrees, and achieving AOA and Research Honors. He then completed his orthopaedic surgery residency training, also at the University of Wisconsin, in 2012. Dr. Sansone completed his fellowship in July 2013, and currently practicing orthopaedic surgery in Madison, Wisconsin with Dean/SSM Health.
Dr. Walker grew up in Southern California where she began her undergraduate training at the University of California at Riverside where she received her bachelor’s in science degree in biology. She then attended Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia earning her medical degree in 2006. She completed her internship in General Surgery at UCLA Medical Center in 2007 and completed her residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in 2011. Dr. Walker completed her fellowship in July 2012, and is currently practicing in San Jose, California.
Dr. Provus grew up in the Chicago area. He began his graduate training at the University of Illinois earning his Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He received his medical degree from Chicago Medical School. Thereafter, he completed his residency with the San Francisco Residency Program, where he provided services at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, Sacramento Shriner’s Hospital, Oakland Children’s Hospital and Alameda County Highland Hospital’s Trauma Center. Dr. Provus completed his fellowship in July 2011, and is currently practicing in Vacaville, California.
Dr. Nguyen graduated Magna Cum Laude from Saint Louis University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center and completed her internship and residency at the University of Florida. . She is the Founder of “It’s a” Nguyen-Nguyen Foundation which provides funding for orthopaedic care and education in developing countries, concentrating on Vietnam. Dr. Nguyen completed her fellowship in July 2010, and currently practices in San Diego.
Dr. Heiney graduated from Central Michigan University where he received his undergraduate degree. He did international studies at both Flinders University and University College of London. He went on to earn his Masters of Science degree and medical degree from Wayne State University. He completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at Akron General Medical Center. Following his residency, he completed his fellowship in fracture care with the San Diego Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship. After his fellowship, Dr. Heiney presently works both as Faculty at two level-1 orthopaedic trauma centers teaching residents and students while acting as both a leading orthopaedic traumatologist and general orthopaedic surgeon. He holds the honor of being North American AO faculty along with being chairman or faculty for a number of international and national orthopaedic meetings and courses. He has a number of publications including in JBJS, American and Injury. He is a reviewer for numerous scientific peer reviewed journals including the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma and Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Dr. Thomas holds an undergraduate degree in biology from Villanova University. He went on to earn his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where he also completed his Orthopaedic surgery residency. He completed his fellowship with San Diego Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship in 2007.
For the past seven years, Dr. Gregory Thomas has been the sole Orthopaedic Traumatologist at Geisinger Community Medical Center, a level II trauma center, in Scranton, PA. He practices evidence-based medicine to treat complex long bone and periarticular fractures, pelvic and acetabular fractures, nonunions and malunions, musculoskeletal infections and osteomyelitis, and pediatric and geriatric fractures.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Thomas educates: Podiatry and Medicine residents, Osteopathic and Allopathic medical students and Physician Assistant students. He is a Clinical Faculty member of the Commonwealth Medical College. He is a member of the OTA, AAOS, AOAO, AOA and AONA.
Dr. Benson is an orthopedic surgeon licensed to practice orthopedic surgery and orthopedic trauma in Texas and California. Dr. Benson holds a medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Benson traveled to San Diego to complete her trauma fellowship in 2006 with San Diego Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship. Presently, she practices orthopedic surgery and orthopedic trauma at VCMC Orthopedic Clinic in Ventura, California.