Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Experienced orthopedic surgeon Babak Samimi, MD, offers patients at Samimi Orthopedic Group unrivaled care and effective treatments for a range of musculoskeletal conditions at its Los Angeles area offices in Brentwood, West Covina, and Sherman Oaks, California.
Dr. Samimi completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2000, earning a degree in psychobiology and graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He attended the UCLA School of Medicine, graduating in 2004 with honors in surgery, and then completed his orthopedic surgery internship and residency at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles from 2004-2009. Dr. Samimi has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles published in esteemed clinical journals and published a book chapter on Musculoskeletal Trauma Surgery in Current Diagnosis & Treatment Orthopedics. He has widely presented his research and instructed numerous courses for orthopedic surgeons on improving outcomes for patients.
Dr. Samimi is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He was a past adjunct clinical professor of orthopedic surgery for residents at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is the director of the Orthopedic department for the West Covina Medical Center Podiatric Residency program. He is an active and past member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Orthopedic Trauma Association, and California Orthopaedic Association.
Dr. Samimi's specialties include sports medicine, shoulder & knee joint preservation, reconstruction and cartilage restoration, shoulder & knee arthroscopy, and shoulder & knee replacement. . He has developed his own surgical techniques for performing ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) repair and posterolateral corner reconstruction and teaches his methods to surgeons across the United States. Dr. Samimi is a leading expert in complex shoulder and knee conditions. Dr. Samimi performs multiple surgeries that equip him with vast experience as well as clinical expertise.
In addition to his devotion to patients at Samimi Orthopedic Group, Dr. Samimi is a volunteer for Health for Humanity, an international nonprofit organization working towards global health. He has also been a recipient of the Patients’ Choice and Compassionate Doctor Awards. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Samimi, call his office or book online today.
Berkay Unal, MD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery with an emphasis on shoulder and knee disorders, sports injuries, and arthritis. He treats patients at Samimi Orthopedic Group at its Los Angeles area offices in Brentwood, West Covina, and Sherman Oaks, California.
Dr. Unal completed his undergraduate studies at The University of California, Berkeley, earning his bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology. Following his undergraduate studies, he held a research position at The University of California, Irvine, where he was involved in multiple
publications in molecular biology and infectious disease.
Dr. Unal realized his true passion was medicine and direct patient care. He attended medical school at The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, receiving his medical degree in 2011. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. Dr. Unal did an additional year of subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopy at The University of Kentucky's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship in Lexington.
Dr. Unal started his practice in Bakersfield, California, treating high-complexity injuries. He brings his experience and expertise to the Samimi Orthopaedic Group team.
Dr. Unal believes in a non-surgical approach as the initial step in treating most orthopedic conditions. He believes in a personalized approach and takes pride in providing knowledge and guidance to ensure his patients feel comfortable and informed.
He is a member of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Unal enjoys spending time with his wife and his two daughters, weight lifting, hiking, exploring nature, snowboarding, and a variety of recreational sports in his free time. He likes to maintain an active lifestyle and aims to help his patients do the same.
Stepan Kasimian, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon with specialty training in complex spinal reconstruction and minimally invasive spine surgery. His primary interests include degenerative spine disease and spinal deformity. He has extensive experience in treating multiple spine disorders including disc herniations, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, kyphosis, scoliosis, tumors, and spinal trauma in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
EDUCATION
Dr. Kasimian received his undergraduate degrees in Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and History from the University of California, Los Angeles. He completed his internship and residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. After residency, Dr. Kasimian obtained further training in complex spinal reconstruction surgery at Cedars-Spinal Medical Center, Institute for Spinal Disorders.
RESEARCH
Dr. Kasimian has presented his research at the International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques and has written a chapter on endoscopic thoracic disc herniations in a prominent spine textbook.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS
He is a member of the American Medical Association, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, North American Spine Society, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. In order to better serve his patients, his practice is located in Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Rancho Cucamonga and he maintains privileges in numerous hospitals including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Glendale Adventist Medical Center.
Welcome to the practice of William Sheppard, MD, MPH, in Santa Monica, California. As an expert orthopedic surgeon, I and my staff use our years of spine surgery experience to deliver lasting pain relief, improved mobility, and a better quality of life to our patients.
Our office is inside the UCLA Health Spine Center. Ample on-site parking is available, and we offer cutting-edge diagnostics, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.
The collaborative treatment process we use emphasizes patient participation and feedback. Instead of making blanket treatment recommendations, we dedicate time to our patients, listening to their symptoms, concerns, and goals. We use that information to develop outcome-oriented treatment plans.
People from all over Los Angeles visit us for our spine expertise. We regularly diagnose and treat common back problems, including degenerative spinal disorders like scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and spinal disc herniation.
Rather than relying on open surgery, we primarily recommend minimally invasive surgery. This looks different for each patient, but I specialize in several techniques, including cervical spine surgery, cervical spine replacement, lumbar spine surgery, laminoplasty, robotic surgery, and endoscopic spine surgery.
Minimally invasive spine surgery provides various benefits. It requires less anesthesia, causes less blood loss, and uses smaller incisions that heal quickly. It allows patients to return to their lives quicker and risks significantly fewer complications.
Don’t let back or neck problems keep you from living your best life. Take the first step toward pain relief today. Call the practice of William Sheppard, MD, to schedule a new-patient appointment, or book your visit online.
Kushagra Verma, MD, MS, FAAOS, is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at Advanced Spine Care in Los Alamitos and Marina Del Rey, California. He is fellowship-trained in complex spine surgery and has many years of experience. He offers surgery when it’s the best option to ensure the highest quality of life for his patients.
Dr. Verma earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Cornell University School of Engineering in Ithaca, New York, and a master’s degree in molecular biology from the NYU Graduate School of Arts & Sciences in New York City. He completed medical school at NYU School of Medicine in New York City.
Dr. Verma also completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Thomas Jefferson University’s Rothman Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and an adult and pediatric spine fellowship (with a focus on spinal deformities) at the University of California at San Francisco.
Dr. Verma has been recognized many times for his expertise. He was selected by The Leading Physicians as a Top Orthopedic Surgeon of the Spine. He also received the Top Doctor Award in Los Alamitos and numerous other professional recognitions for his excellence.
Dr. Verma is an experienced college educator with experience at the University of Washington in Seattle, Long Beach Memorial in Long Beach, California, and the Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.
He specializes in treating spinal anomalies, including spinal stenosis, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, disc herniation, and flatback syndrome. Dr. Verma is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS). He has contributed to nearly 50 peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Verma spends as much time as patients need to ensure they feel heard with all of their questions addressed. He fully explains their diagnoses, thoroughly reviews all imaging results, and discusses detailed treatment options — always giving patients a voice in their treatments. He uses the latest technological advances and procedures to ensure long-lasting outcomes.
Dr. Verma welcomes new and existing patients to Advanced Spine Care and looks forward to optimizing their spinal health and overall quality of life.
Andrew Bulczynski, MD, is a board-certified sports medicine orthopedic surgeon and founder of the surgery practice that bears his name in Marina del Rey, California. He has been a practicing physician for nearly 20 years.
A graduate of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Bulczynski earned his doctorate in medicine in 1999. Always interested in orthopedic medicine, he went on to receive special orthopedic surgery training during his residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago.
Since completing his residency in 2004, Dr. Bulczynski has been fellowship trained in both sports medicine and orthopedic surgery, which he received from Lake Tahoe Orthopaedic Institute, treating patients of all ages — including more than 65 Olympic gold and silver medalists, Red Bull athletes, and other sports professionals.
As a sports medicine specialist, Dr. Bulczynski crafts individualized treatment plans that typically involve a combination of at-home remedies; physical therapy; revolutionary injection methods such as stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy; and minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Dr. Bulczynski’s goal is to return injured athletes to their peak performance levels while alleviating chronic pain and improving their range of mobility.
Depending on the condition at hand, Dr. Bulczynski may recommend anti-inflammatory medication, therapeutic exercises and stretches, injection therapy, and more. He tailors each treatment plan to his patients, ensuring that his recommendations suit each patient’s lifestyle and goals.
Above all else, Dr. Bulczynski sets his practice apart from the rest by educating and informing patients of their treatment options and recovery outlook every step of the way. This ensures that athletes and chronic pain patients alike have realistic, positive expectations for their recovery.
At LA Spine Group, board-certified spine care specialist Sanjay Khurana, MD, provides comprehensive orthopedic care to adults at two convenient locations in Marina Del Rey and Manhattan Beach, California.
Dr. Khurana began his career at the Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, California, followed by additional training at the University of California, Berkeley. He has special interests in spinal reconstruction, cervical spine surgery, minimally invasive microsurgery, and the treatment of scoliosis, trauma, and spine tumors.
Since entering private practice, Dr. Khurana has established himself as one of the leading spine surgeons in Southern California. His goal is to provide the highest quality care and improve each individual’s quality of life.
Dr. Khurana uses conservative and noninvasive treatments to relieve neck and back pain whenever possible. Even so, when holistic measures don’t provide relief, there are various surgical options available.
Dr. Khurana performs various types of spine surgery, including artificial disc replacement surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, microscopic surgery, endoscopic surgery, and spondylolisthesis surgery. He also provides more specialized care, including treatment of scoliosis and spine tumors as well as regenerative medicine with orthobiologics.
If you’re tired of living with back or neck pain, make an appointment with Dr. Khurana at LA Spine Group by calling the nearest office or clicking the online booking feature today.
Ramin Rabbani, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty as a fellowship-trained spine surgeon. He provides comprehensive spine and orthopedic care to patients in Los Angeles at Rabbani Orthopedic Spine Institute in Marina del Rey, California.
At Rabbani Orthopedic Spine Institute, his patients have access to a full range of treatments for back pain, neck pain, herniated discs, sciatica, shoulder pain, knee pain, and other orthopedic and spine conditions. Dr. Rabbani is known for his expertise in microscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery, and his patients also benefit from cutting-edge therapies.
After graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in physiological sciences from the University of California, Los Angeles, Dr. Rabbani earned his medical degree at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, where he graduated in the top 15% of his class.
Dr. Rabbani then completed his orthopedic surgery residency at New York Medical College. As a resident, he trained at nationally-recognized hospitals including Westchester Medical Center, Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Hospital for Special Surgery, and NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. He finished his training with a spine surgery fellowship at the prestigious Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders.
Board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Rabbani has completed research for various orthopedic and spine conditions.
Dr. Rabbani is in network for Cigna, Medicare, Aetna, Health Net, and Anthem Blue Cross.
The highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons at the Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute in Victorville, Pomona, San Bernardino, Hemet, Chino, Barstow, Banning and Loma Linda, California, treat a variety of musculoskeletal disorders and sports injuries, from arthritis and ankle sprains to fractures and dislocations. The team uses innovative non-surgical therapies like regenerative medicine and cutting-edge orthopaedic surgery techniques that improve patient mobility and reduce recovery time, as well as addressing the most severe and persistent pain.
The surgical team at Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute has the skills and experience required to handle a comprehensive variety of common and rare orthopaedic conditions while sharing their commitment to helping patients get back to enjoying life to the fullest.
Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute's caring, knowledgeable team has the expertise to ensure optimal treatment outcomes so patients' injuries don't stop them from doing what they love. The team treats orthopaedic and sports-related conditions in children as well as adults of all ages.
In addition to their expertise in sports medicine and pediatric orthopaedics, Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute's board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons perform expert joint replacements, hand and wrist surgery, and spine surgery. The practice is held in such high esteem that it's won three Best of the Desert awards for orthopaedics and sports medicine.
Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute's patient-first approach and state-of-the-art facilities deliver exceptional, compassionate care that focuses on comfort, privacy, and convenience. The team dedicates themselves to ensuring patients make a complete recovery, whatever condition is causing them problems. They also offer flexible after-hours and urgent care, including walk-ins.
To find out more about the benefits of being a patient at Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute, call the nearest office or book an appointment online today.
Dr. Jason Tani, MD, cares for patients at Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute, with three locations in Loma Linda, San Bernardino, and Pomona, California.
Dr. Tani was born and raised in the Aloha State of Hawaii. He attended a school for ethnic Hawaiians and then traveled to Missouri, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Education. He then worked as a flight attendant before being accepted into medical school in Hawaii.
Dr. Tani graduated in the top quarter of his class. He completed a surgical internship at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California, where he met a famous orthopedic trauma surgeon, Michael Chapman, MD, who encouraged him to pursue orthopedic training.
He trained in the West Virginia University (WVU) Orthopedic Program in Morgantown, West Virginia, providing level 1 trauma experience. After completing the program, he accepted a position in Mesa, Arizona, where he practiced for over 20 years.
Following a brief hiatus in Hawaii, Dr. Tani returned to Arizona and practiced in the small rural town of Payson. He now looks forward to living the California life.
His areas of expertise and interest include fracture care, total and partial knee replacement, carpal tunnel, trigger fingers, knee arthroscopy, hip replacement, pediatric fracture care, and amputations.
In his spare time, Dr. Tani loves to golf and traveling to wine country.
Todd A. Shrader, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon serving patients at Coastal Ortho in Torrance, California.
During the four years he played collegiate soccer, Dr. Shrader witnessed more athletic injuries than most people do in a lifetime. The doctors who treated his fellow athletes during that time inspired him to help his patients overcome pain and regain function.
He developed this commitment even deeper during a high-profile fellowship at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, where he routinely treated players from the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and
IMSL, focusing on arthroscopic procedures of the shoulder and knee.
Dr. Shrader uses only the most leading-edge, minimally invasive surgical techniques, including the unique direct anterior approach for total hip arthroplasty (replacement). This approach uses a small incision and preserves hip muscles and tendons, allowing a quicker recovery.
Dr. Shrader's knee replacement surgery techniques include partial and total knee replacement through a subvastus approach, which avoids cutting into the quadriceps tendon. Patients of all ages benefit because these procedures significantly reduce their recovery time, pain, and scarring.
Born and raised in Southern California, Dr. Shrader takes advantage of the area's outdoor activities whenever he can. He surfs, bikes, or jogs with his dogs nearly every day and loves to cycle.
Coastal Ortho was the perfect fit for Dr. Shrader because he gets to share his passions with patients who love the South Bay as much as he does
Brian Magovern, MD, joined Coastal Ortho as an orthopedic surgeon in 2012. He joined the practice in El Segundo and Torrance, California, to treat patients in modern, state-of-the-art facilities with a high-speed open MRI machine and a full physical, hand, and aquatic therapy department.
While completing his internship in surgery at UC San Francisco, Dr. Magovern realized that this very specialized field — which often involves puzzle-like reconstructing of several broken bone pieces — was exactly what he wanted to do and that he was excellent at it.
He followed his internship with a residency at Loyola University Chicago, then a fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Since 2008, his position as the Chief of Shoulder & Elbow Surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center has given him thousands of opportunities to use his education, skills, and intensive training.
Dr. Magovern is known in particular throughout the South Bay and Los Angeles area for performing these and other complicated procedures: shoulder replacement, elbow replacement, complex humeral/scapular fracture care, complex elbow trauma care, and complex elbow instability repair.
He is adept in the operating room, and his patients have positive outcomes as a result. He stays current with the latest medical advances and imparts this knowledge by regularly giving lectures and teaching medical students at Harbor-UCLA.
Dr. Magovern was born on the East Coast and received his Doctorate of Medicine from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he met his wife. The two of them were drawn to the South Bay’s sense of community, small-town feel, and amazing weather, so they decided to pursue their careers and raise their family here.
Dr. Magovern and his wife enjoy skiing together as a family. To stay in shape, he swims several times a week.
Daniel R. Stephenson, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He brings his renowned expertise, bedside manner, technical skill, and compassion to the Coastal Ortho team with offices in El Segundo and Torrance, California.
He joined Coastal Ortho in 2015 because of their reputation in the South Bay for caring so much about their patients. Dr. John Stratton, a founding partner of the practice in 1971, was also one of his role models.
Dr. Stephenson pursued orthopedics after becoming injured during his freshman year of college. As an NCAA Division I water polo player and swimmer, he was eager to return to athletics after the incident. His doctors and therapists were incredible during the whole process, successfully helping him get back to sports. This experience inspired Dr. Stephenson to pursue a career in orthopedic medicine to focus on patients with complex knee problems, joint preservation needs, shoulder injuries, and sports medicine issues.
Although he is one of the area's top surgeons, Dr. Stephenson works closely with his patients before beginning treatment. He feels it's essential to start with non-surgical treatments whenever possible because everyone has their own goals and lifestyle needs.
Dr. Stephenson completed his fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine at the University of Kentucky in 2010. During this one additional year of intense training and experience, he had the opportunity to serve as a team physician to professional athletes and student athletes from three universities and many high schools. Today, he sees patients of all ages and from all sports and activity levels.
Dr. Stephenson was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, so staying local was another key influence. He deeply values getting to know so many of the wonderful people in the area.
James M. Loddengaard, MD, is an accomplished spine surgeon. He diagnoses and treats patients at Coastal Ortho at the Torrance, California office.
Dr. Loddengaard's fascination with orthopedic medicine came from several influences. He has been captivated by science and technology since childhood. His drive to solve three-dimensional challenges and work with his hands and tools was only the beginning of his journey. As his career took shape, he discovered how extremely gratifying it was to improve people's lives through surgery.
Dr. Loddengaard moved from New York to California in 1970 to study at the California Institute of Technology. He then completed medical school at the University of California, Los Angeles, and residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He studied and has practiced in California ever since, settling in the South Bay in 1990.
He is married with three adult children and continues to enjoy his favorite outdoor sports, skiing, cycling, snowmobiling, and hiking.
Nicholas M. Halikis, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a certified specialization in hand and upper extremity surgery. He is a founder and the managing partner of Coastal Ortho, formerly known as Torrance Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group, with offices in El Segundo and Torrance, California.
Dr. Halikis earned his doctoral degree and completed his orthopedic residency at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. In 1993, he completed his upper extremity surgery fellowship at the prestigious University of Florida Hand.
He is trained in all aspects of operative and non-operative upper extremity care, including carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve conditions of the upper extremity, trauma, arthritis, tumors, tendonitis issues such as trigger finger, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, and more.
He remains active in numerous medical organizations, including the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the California Orthopedic Association.
Dr. Halikis is the former Chief of Surgery and Orthopedics at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance and has been recognized by peers as one of the top doctors in Los Angeles.
He is an active member and sits on the boards of several philanthropic and business organizations. He embraces the local South Bay lifestyle by enjoying the region's surfing, skiing, beach volleyball, and basketball.
Dr. Halikis is also an accomplished guitarist who especially enjoys treating fellow musicians with hand and upper extremity conditions.