2019-2020

Justin W. Arner, M.D.

Residency: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Born and raised in Clarion, PA, Dr. Arner completed his undergraduate degree with honors in biology at Shepherd University where he was a free safety on the top 10 ranked NCAA Division II football team for 4 years. He then graduated with honors from medical school at West Virginia University.

Dr. Arner completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh where he was chosen as an American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) resident leader and emerging leader, as well as the editor of the Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Journal. While in Pittsburgh, he provided team coverage for the University of Pittsburgh Athletics, local high school football teams, and the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins. He spent a year during his residency as a research fellow in the Biodynamics Laboratory and was awarded research grantsd from the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) and the Pittsburgh Foundation. He has published and presented numerous research articles at national and international meetings. His main research interests include posterior shoulder instability, hamstring injuries, and anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Dr. Arner’s interest outside of medicine include spending time with his wife Clara, traveling, cycling, downhill skiing, hiking, and exercising. Dr. Arner and his wife look forward to the world class training and mentorship at SPRI, as well as all the outdoor experiences Vail has to offer.

Michael C. Ciccotti, M.D.

Residency: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the Rothman Institute

Michael was born outside Washington D.C., but his family moved shortly thereafter to Philadelphia, PA, where he lived until college. As a result, he remains a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. He is the oldest of four siblings, but despite having two parents in healthcare, was the only one to enter medicine himself. He completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University, graduating with distinction with a degree in Political Science. While there, he was coxswain for the Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Crew team, where he had the opportunity to compete in and win the nation’s oldest athletic competition, the Harvard-Yale Race. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Augustus S. Blagden Trophy, presented to that senior who has done the most to enhance the tradition of rowing at Yale. He subsequently returned to Philadelphia to attend medical school at Jefferson Medical College (recently renamed Sidney Kimmel Medical College). During medical school, he continued his love of rowing by coaching his alma mater’s high school team to some of the highest finishes in school history. He stayed at Jefferson to complete his Orthopaedic Surgery residency with the faculty at the Rothman Institute in and around Philadelphia. His research interests during residency included ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, return to sport after various orthopaedic procedures, and youth sports specialization.

His wife, Aidan McKinlay D.M.D, is an oral maxillofacial surgeon in the U.S. Navy and will be stationed outside Chicago, IL. Although she won’t be able to join him for fellowship, she looks forward to visiting frequently to experience all the wonderful things that Vail and Colorado have to offer.

Joseph D. Cooper, M.D.

Residency: University of Southern California

Dr. Cooper grew up in the small town of Roscoe Illinois before attending Washington University in St. Louis where he pitched for the Bears baseball team and earned a B.S. in biology and neuroscience. After WashU he spent a year working in a neuroimaging lab evaluating morphological brain changes in children with autism. Dr. Cooper attended medical school at the University of Illinois College of medicine where he was a board member of multiple student interest groups as well as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society, graduating with honors.

Dr. Cooper completed his residency at the University of Southern California where he was chosen as an American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) resident leader and emerging leader. He provided physician coverage for the Pasadena Highschool and Maranatha Highschool football teams, as well as covered youth soccer and assisted at USC football practices. His research interests include the use of biologics in orthopaedics, as well as revision rotator cuff, ACL surgery, and lower extremity trauma.

Joe is moving to Vail with his wife Molly. They are looking forward to exploring the mountains with skis, boards, bikes, and tents and experiencing all the Vail Valley has to offer.

Dan B. Haber, M.D.

Residency: Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program

Dan was born in Long Beach, CA but primarily grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated summa cum laude from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Biology and minors in international development and business management. He went on to graduate from Dartmouth (Geisel) Medical School in Hanover, NH where he was inducted into the Mosethal Surgical Honor Society and was presented the Freddy H. Fu Outstanding Medical Student in Orthopedics Award. During his education, Dan spent several months in South Africa and Vietnam performing research and assisting in surgical procedures.

Dan completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program in Boston, MA. While there, he provided physician coverage to Boston Public Schools football, Wentworth Institute of Technology hockey, and Mount Ida College football teams. He developed an arthroscopy curriculum for junior residents, and helped integrate simulator training into his residency program. In Dan's final year, he was chosen as Administrative Chief Resident at Massachusetts General Hospital. During his time at Harvard, Dan published several peer reviewed articles and his research has been presented nationally and internationally.

Dan and his wife, Laura, are excited to move to the Vail Valley with their three children and explore the abundant outdoor activities in the region. Outside of medicine, Dan enjoys snowboarding, one-wheeling, backpacking, playing soccer, and camping.

Adam M. Johannsen, M.D.

Residency: Stanford University

Dr. Adam Johannsen spent his early childhood with frequent moves between Alabama, Florida, and Toronto, CA. His family eventually settled on St. Paul, Minnesota during adolescence, and Minnesota became his home. He completed high school in a St. Paul suburb, and received his bachelors in Biology at The University of St. Thomas. While at St. Thomas, Adam played varsity football, and became interested in research and the scientific process while working with the Department of Natural Resources on the topic of aquatic ecology. He then transitioned into medical school at the University of Minnesota, where he became fascinated in orthopaedic pathology, and completed a summer research internship at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute. During this time, Dr. Johannsen began to focus his attention on orthopaedic sports medicine, and authored several papers on knee anatomy and biomechanics.

Following the completion of medical school, Dr. Johannsen transitioned his training to the west coast and completed Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at Stanford University, in California. While at Stanford, Dr. Johannsen continued to pursue orthopaedic sports medicine research and published several articles on shoulder, hip, and knee pathology. His research has been presented at national and international meetings. Given his prior knowledge of the world-class Steadman Clinic, he was excited at the opportunity to train with the surgeons in Vail.

Dr. Johannsen will be joined in Vail by his wife and two year old son. They are eager to explore the wonderful outdoor activities that Vail has to offer, especially the hiking and skiing.

Taylor "TJ" Ridley, M.D.

Residency: The University of Minnesota

Born and raised in Edina, Minnesota, Dr. Ridley completed his undergraduate education at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN where played both varsity football and hockey earning NCAA All-American honors and graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in biology and minor in management. He attended medical school at the University of Iowa before returning to the Twin Cities to join the orthopedic surgery residency program at the University of Minnesota. His research interests during medical school earned him the Michael Bonfiglio Award for Orthopaedic Research with research continuing in residency focused on cartilage restoration and patellar instability.

Dr. Ridley's interests outside of medicine include golfing, hiking, biking and skiing. In addition to the excitement of moving to Vail for the countless outdoor opportunities, TJ and his fiancé Courtney are excited for their wedding in Boulder this fall.

Joseph J. Ruzbarsky, M.D.

Residency: Hospital for Special Surgery

Joe was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania and lived in Northeastern Pennsylvania through high school. He attended college at the University of Pennsylvania where competed for 4 years on the men’s varsity track and field team primarily as a javelin thrower. He graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Biology in 2010 and was elected into the school’s chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He stayed at the University of Pennsylvania for medical school where he graduated in 2014 as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Following medical school, Joe moved to Manhattan to complete his Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

After spending his first 31 years living in the Northeast, Joe is looking forward to moving out West to build upon his surgical training, to become more cultured, and to have easier access to some of his favorite outdoor activities: skiing, fishing, golfing, hiking, and cycling. Outside of these hobbies Joe also enjoys healthy eating, fitness, and following his favorite sports teams: the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, & Sixers.

Max N. Seiter, M.D.

Residency: University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital

Born and raised in Austin, Texas; Max graduated with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin, with a B.S. in Biology and focus in Neurobiology. During his senior year, Max played intercollegiate ultimate frisbee for Texas’ varsity team, TUFF. After college, he attended medical school in Dallas, at the University of Texas’ UTSouthwestern Medical Center, where he served as class vice president throughout his tenure.

Dr. Seiter then moved to Miami, where he completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. His time at UM included team coverage for the Miami Marlins MLB team, University of Miami Hurricanes NCAA Division I College football and basketball programs, as well the ASA Miami Silver Storm Junior College football team, and Scheck Hillel High School football & soccer teams. During his residency, he competed in and won several orthopaedic competitions, including the Florida Orthopaedic Society Statewide OrthoBowl. As a result, Dr. Seiter was selected as a resident representative on Capitol Hill for the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference. His research interests while in residency included shoulder instability, lower extremity reconstruction, and quality improvement regarding fracture care; for which he received various grant supports, and which were presented at both regional and national level meetings.

Dr. Seiter's interests outside of medicine include ultimate frisbee, downhill skiing, hiking, and live music. He and his fiancée, Allison, are very excited to move to Vail, for the wonderful opportunity to experience the world-class training and mentorship offered at Steadman-Philippon, as well as experience the natural beauty and exciting outdoor activities that are synonymous with the Colorado high country.