Thomas P. Knapp, M.D. founded the Shoulder Institute with the idea of building a comprehensive clinic to take care of all aspects of shoulder pathology.
Dr. Knapp is an experienced, board certified orthopaedic surgeon who, in addition to all other aspects of sports medicine, has devoted his career specializing in arthroscopic surgery and reconstructive procedures of the shoulder. Dr. Knapp has authored numerous articles for medical journals, has been a frequent lecturer and instructor in training and educating other physicians, and is heavily involved in medical research and the development of new techniques and technologies. His invention of the Healix Advance Knotless , Healix Advance Self Punching, Chia PercPasserTMand IdealTM Suture Shuttle with ChiaTM have revolutionized arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Other innovative inventions include the KnappTM Sak II, the KnappTM Knee Sleeve and the KnappTM Universal Hinged Knee Orthosis .
Dr. Knapp joined the Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group in 1995. Dr. Knapp is active in many leadership positions in the community, including with St. John’s Health Center, where he served as Vice-Chairman of the Orthopaedic Section, and with the University of Southern California School of Medicine, where he served as a Clinical Instructor. Dr. Knapp has also served as Team Physician for numerous local high school and college sports teams and Venue Medical Director for the 1999 and 2003 Women’s World Cup and the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Regional Finals. He is on the prestigious Editorial Board of The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery. Dr. Knapp graduated from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, where he also completed his residency. Dr. Knapp completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship with the Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group.
Stephanie E. Pongracz, PA-Cis a proud member of the Santa Monica division of Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute (KJI). A California native with Danish heritage, she grew up in Solvang (north of Santa Barbara). She now resides in West Los Angeles with her husband, son and dog. After living in France for a year she attended Occidental College in Los Angeles. While at “Oxy” she was a member of the dance team and an assistant athletic trainer and graduated with a degree in Kinesiology. She earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and a Master of Public Health from Touro University; located just outside of San Francisco. Prior to joining KJI in 2014, she worked as a physician assistant in Orthopedic Spine surgery at Ventura Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Southern California Orthopedic Institute (SCOI - Van Nuys).
Stephanie is the physician assistant to Dr. Thomas Knapp. She conducts physical examinations, diagnoses orthopedic conditions, orders and interprets diagnostic tests, formulates treatment plans, prescribes medication and performs in-office therapeutic injections. She also assists Dr. Knapp in the operating room. Stephanie is committed to providing her patients excellent care and ensuring they have a great medical experience.
M. Ramin Modabber, M.D. is an experienced, board certified orthopaedic surgeon who, in addition to all other aspects of sports medicine, specializes in conditions of the upper extremity. In regards to the latter specialization, Dr. Modabber is well-published, is a frequent lecturer, and has undertaken extensive research in addition to developing numerous medical devices to aid. He is a specialist in advanced shoulder trauma as well as partial and total shoulder replacments.
Dr. Modabber joined the Santa Monica Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Group in 1997, and is active in leadership positions with St. John’sHealthCenter, including serving as the current Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Modabber has also served in numerous teaching positions, most notably as a Clinical Instructor at HarvardMedicalSchool. Dr. Modabber also serves as the Medical Director/Chief Medical Officer for the Amgen Tour of California, an eight-day, 700-mile professional cycling race through California. He is the inventor of the ModabberTM Wrist Orthosis and the ModabberTM Thumb Orthosis .
Dr. Modabber graduated from JeffersonMedicalCollege in Philadelphia, and went on to complete a General Surgery Internship at the New EnglandMedicalCenter in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Modabber completed his residency at TuftsUniversity in Boston, and went on to complete a Fellowship in Hand/Upper Extremity Surgery at Massachusetts GeneralHospital in Boston.
