Volume X, Number 1 | Spring 2026
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT SERIES
In a city defined by rapid growth, a diverse patient population, and a high demand for musculoskeletal care, the OPTI–West Valley Hospital Medical Center Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program has emerged as a rigorous, high-volume training environment designed to graduate practice-ready orthopaedic surgeons with durable academic habits. Based in Las Vegas, the program offers a five-year, progressive surgical curriculum with continued accreditation through ACGME and American Osteopathic Association. With two residents matched per year—maintaining a full complement of ten trainees—the program emphasizes deliberate repetition, close faculty mentorship, and graded autonomy anchored in patient-centered outcomes. Read more…
adult reconstruction
John P. Walsh, DO1; Taylor Anthony, DO1; Benjamin Moyer, DO1; Keith Kotecki, DO2
1Valley Hospital Medical Center
2Nevada Orthopedic and Spine
Grace Kim, BA OMS21; William H. Fang, DO2; Justin Chung, BS OMS23; Evan Dunn, DO2; Rowen Lin, BS OMS23; Kevin Mo, DO2; Daniel Lee, DO2
1Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona CA
2Valley Hospital Medical Center Department of Orthopaedics, Las Vegas NV
3Touro University, Henderson NV
Jonathan Elias BA, OMS-III1; Warren Chan MS, OMS-III1; Thomas Oliver DO2; Lothar Vidal BS, OMS-III1; Elie Christoforides BS, OMS-IV3; Aarsh Patel BS, OMS-III1; Elizabeth Ford DO4; Sean McMillan DO5
1Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
2AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center
3Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
4Inspira Health Network
5Virtua Health System
Daxton Kennington, OMS 20291; Carson Sautter, OMS 20291; Connor Parry DO2; Nicolette McNair DO2; Keith Kopecki DO3
1Des Moines University of Medicine and Health Sciences
2Valley Hospital Medical Center, Orthopedic Surgery, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
3Nevada Orthopedic and Spine Center, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Propensity Matched Study
Hayden Flume, OMSIII (2027)1; Ryan Johnson, MS2; Javier Tello, OMSII (2028)1; Julieanne P. Sees, DO MBA3
1Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
2Capitol Technology University
3Saint Joseph’s University Haub School of Business
foot & ankle
Jennifer A. Kipp DPM1, William H. Fang DO2, Evan Dunn DO2, Mitchell Tingey MD2, Troy Watson MD1,2
1Desert Orthopaedic Center, Las Vegas NV
1Valley Hospital Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedics, Las Vegas NV
general
Justin Le, OMS-II1; Nicholas Moscardelli, OMS-II1; Isha Shashi, OMS-I1; Anter Gonzales, MD2
1Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, 0009-0008-6434-7931
2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY/Orthopaedic Institute Brielle Orthopaedics, Brick, NJ
Christian Allen, DO1; Andres Toledo, DO1; Ryan Dennett, OMS 20282; John Harker, DO1; Richard Crank, DO1
1HCA Largo Florida/USF Morsani College of Medicine
2University of North Texas Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
shoulder & elbow
Cameron Ballard, OMS 2028; Adam Youssef, OMS 2028; Dryden Dalbey, OMS 2028; Paul Doney, OMS 2028; Jeffrey Staudinger, PhD
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
spine
Reagan Boyett, OMS III1; Morgan Wirth, OMS II2; Tyler Overbeek, OMS IV2; Nathan Douthit, MD2; Blake Boyett, DO3
1Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn and The Orthopedic Center
2Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
3The Orthopedic Center
Jonathan Elias BA, OMS-31; Lothar Vidal BS, OMS-31; Timothy Gelatt BS, OMS-31; Sami Dakhel MS, OMS-31; Richard Jermyn DO, Dean1; James Sanfilippo MD2
1Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
2Virtua Health System
John P Walsh, DO, Orthopaedic Surgery Resident1; Alexander J Baur, DO, Research Assistant2; Taylor Anthony, DO, Orthopaedic Surgery Resident1; Daniel D Lee, MD Department Orthopaedic Surgery3
1Valley Hospital Medical Center
2Liberty University
3Desert Orthopaedic Center & Valley Hospital Medical Center
Justin Chung BS1; Rowen Lin BS1; Evan Dunn DO2; Grace Kim BA3; Caleb Choi BS4; Kevin Mo DO2; William Fang DO2; Daniel Lee MD5
1Touro University Nevada
2Valley Hospital Medical Center
3Western University of Health Sciences
4University of California, Irvine
5Desert Orthopaedic Center
sports medicine
Dustin Volkmer MD1; Natalie Nacy, BS, OMS II2; Alexandra Wade, BS, OMS II3
1Avera Orthopedics
2Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
3Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Alexander J Baur, DO, Research Fellow1; Ethan C Gazan, MS OMS-21; Taylor Anthony, DO, Orthopaedic Surgery Resident2; William H Fang, DO, Orthopaedic Surgery Resident2; John P Walsh, DO, Orthopaedic Surgery Resident2; Randa Bascharon, DO, Orthopaedic Surgery Attending3
1Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
2Valley Hospital Medical Center
3Valley Hospital Medical Center, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute of Las Vegas
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
Published by the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
Steven J. Heithoff, DO, MBA, FAOAO
Editor-in-Chief
Joye Stewart
Managing Editor
[email protected]
Online ISSN: 2996-1742
Frequency: Trianually
Open Access
(Article Processing Charge applies)
To submit an article to JAOAO
Copyright © 2026 by The American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics.
. All copyrights of published material within the JAOAO are reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any way without the permission in writing from the JAOAO and AOAO. Permission can be requested by contacting Joye Stewart at [email protected].