1999-2000

James T. Johnson, M.D.

Residency: Yale School of Medicine

Dr. Johnson began his academic career at the University of California at Los Angeles, followed by George Washington School of Medicine and his residency at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Johnson’s interests in research is evidenced by the fact that he has been published in CORR, AAOS among other peer-review journals. He has also displayed a very altruistic nature by volunteering his time to many worthy causes.

Dr. Johnson’s interests include running, biking, weight training, and cooking.
 

Spero G. Karas, M.D.

Residency: Duke Medical Center

Dr. Karas comes to us from his residency at Duke Medical Center, and has the very big shoes of his Duke predecessors to fill. We have been assured by our past Duke Fellows that he will not disappoint! Prior to his residency, Dr. Karas received his undergraduate degree in psychology and pre-medicine from the University of Notre Dame, and medical school at the Indiana University of Medicine.

Dr. Karas has been fortunate to work under Dr. William Garrett in the Nike Performance Lab at Duke studying the nature of injuries and injury prevention.We look forward to his continuation of this research here at Steadman Philippon Research Institute.

Dr. Karas enjoys golf, mountain biking, water and snow skiing.
 

Mininder S. Kocher, M.D.

Residency: Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program

To say that Dr. Kocher has been busy would definitely be an understatement! Following Dartmouth College for undergraduate studies in Biology and Psychology, and Duke University School of Medicine, residency at the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, a Fellowship with the Pediatric Orthopaedic Chief Residency and Fellowship at Children’s Hospital in Boston, Dr. Kocher is fresh off the Health Services Research Fellowship (AAOS/OREF) at Harvard School of Public Health.

Beyond his scholastic aptitude, which includes Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude (Dartmouth), and National Merit Scholarship, Dr. Kocher has also been published in many peer review journals; AJSM, JBJS, JSES, JAAOS among others.

Dr. Kocher will be joined by his wife, Michele Dupre and daughter Sophia.
 

John D. Michelotti, M.D.

Residency: University of Washington

Dr. Michelotti arrives in Vail after spending his academic career in the Pacific Northwest. Following his undergraduate education at Carroll College in Montana, Dr. Michelotti ventured to The University of Washington for medical school and residency.

A former Frontier Conference All-American Wide Receiver, two years running, Dr. Michelotti has devoted much of his time to the pursuit of athletics and orthopaedics. His research background has focused on the shoulder, hip and spine, with presentations at AAOS and ASES.

Dr. Michelotti and his wife Lori intend to return to Montana after their experience here at Steadman Philippon Research Institute.
 

Erol A. Yoldas, M.D.

Residency: University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh has yielded many fine orthopaedic surgeons, and Dr. Yoldas is certainly no exception. Prior to his residency at Pitt, Dr. Yoldas attended Duke University for his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering, and Yale University for Medical School. His honors include Alpha Omega Alpha medical Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society and graduating cum laude and with distinction from Duke.

Truly international, Dr. Yoldas also speaks Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish and Spanish, a talent which will come in handy with our patients from abroad.

Aside from languages, Dr. Yoldas is interested in basketball, golf, jazz and blues music, travel and modern art. Dr. Yoldas will be joined by his wife Danielle.
 

Michael P. Zafuta, M.D.

Residency: University of Texas Southwestern

Dr. Zafuta is a product of the fine residency program of the University of Texas-Southwestern, following Pittsburgh State University in Kansas and Baylor College of Medicine. >Dr. Zafuta graduated magna cum laude from Pittsburgh State University, a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Beta Beta Beta Honor Society and Lambda Sigma Honor Society and a Presidential scholar. If this was not impressive enough, he was also elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society as a Junior Medical Student.

His academic prowess is exceeded only by his unique sense of humor, as shown in his application’s personal statement; “My father is not an orthopaedic surgeon. In fact, he’s not even a doctor. I’ve never had my knees or shoulders scoped. Both of my ACLs are intact. Despite these shortcomings, I am extremely interested in fellowship training in sports medicine/arthroscopy”.

Dr. Zafuta and his wife Kristen have two children, Hannah and Adam.