2015-2016

The 2015 - 2016 Fellows Alumni of the Steadman Philippon Research Institute represent a group of highly accomplished professionals who have gone on to make significant contributions to the field of orthopaedic sports medicine. During their fellowship, these individuals gained invaluable experience working alongside some of the world’s leading experts in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, cutting-edge research, and surgical techniques. The knowledge and skills developed during this time have shaped their careers and empowered them to influence patient care, education, and research in orthopaedics. As alumni, they continue to carry the legacy of SPRI's commitment to excellence, making lasting impacts in both clinical and academic settings.


 

Jack Anavian, M.D.

Residency: Brown University Medical School

Originally from Long Island, NY, Dr. Anavian graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the City College of New York where he studied philosophy and was awarded for his research on the childhood obesity epidemic. After college, he attended medical school at New York University, where his growing interest in orthopaedic surgery led him to pursue a two-year orthopaedic research fellowship at the University of Minnesota, focusing on fractures of the shoulder girdle. 

Dr. Anavian completed his residency at Brown University Medical School and then stayed on at Brown to complete a fellowship in orthopaedic trauma.  While at Brown he participated in sports team coverage for several local colleges including Brown University and University of Rhode Island. He also served as the assistant team physician for the AHL Providence Bruins hockey team.  He has nearly 30 peer-reviewed publications and has presented nearly 40 abstracts and papers at national and international meetings. He is currently a reviewer for several peer-reviewed orthopaedic journals, including Arthroscopy and International Journal of Shoulder Surgery.   

In his free time, Dr. Anavian enjoys running, skiing, hiking, traveling and playing guitar. He is very excited for his move to Vail, CO and is looking forward to participating in much of the out-door activities that Vail has to offer.
 

Jonathan Frank, M.D.

Residency: Rush University Medical Center

Growing up in sunny Southern California, Dr. Frank attended UCLA, earning dual degrees in History and Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, as well as minoring in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures.  As an undergraduate, his research was published in multiple scientific journals. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, he conducted an additional year of research in the Department of Neurology at Cedar Sinai Medical Center.  He further pursued his research interests while attending the UCLA School of Medicine where he earned multiple distinctions and presented his research in both regional and national orthopedic conferences.

Dr. Frank completed orthopedic residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago where he participated in sports team coverage for several local college and professional teams including Roosevelt University Men’s and Women’s basketball. As a resident, he was selected for the American Orthopaedic Association Emerging Leaders Forum and has published studies in multiple areas of sports medicine with a focus on the hip and upper extremity. His research has been presented at regional, national, and international orthopedic conferences, winning several awards. He has authored and co-authored multiple book chapters and he is currently a scientific reviewer for the American Journal of Orthopedics.

In his free time, Dr. Frank enjoys hiking, stand-up paddle boarding and tennis. He looks forward to improving his snowboarding skills during his time in Vail.
 

Travis Menge, M.D.

Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Dr. Menge was raised on a cattle ranch in Northwest Colorado. He was selected as a STARR Scholar to attend Michigan State University, and graduated with honors in Human Anatomy.  During this time, he also studied abroad in Australia at the University of Melbourne.  He then returned to Colorado to attend medical school at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society.

Following medical school, Dr. Menge completed his orthopaedic surgery training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.  As a resident, he was active in providing sports team coverage for a number of local high schools, minor league baseball, and Nashville Predators professional ice hockey teams.  His research interests during his time at Vanderbilt included periprosthetic joint infections, as well as shoulder injuries in throwing athletes.  

Dr. Menge will be moving back to Colorado with his wife, Stephanie, and daughter, Adelyn. Outside of medicine, Travis enjoys running, skiing, hiking, and cooking. He and his family are looking forward to spending the year in Vail!
 

Justin Mitchell, M.D.

Residency: University of Colorado Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Dr. Mitchell was born and raised in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and graduated with highest distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science double major in Zoology and Biology.  As an undergraduate, he became interested in pursuing a medical degree and was active in preventative medicine translational research. Dr. Mitchell then received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin where he continued his interest in research, and obtained a grant from the National Institute on Aging to study gait patterns following lower extremity trauma. 

Following completion of his medical training, Dr. Mitchell moved to Colorado to complete his orthopaedic surgical residency at the University of Colorado Hospital.  During his time in Colorado, he helped provide physician coverage for several of the University of Colorado and University of Denver varsity athletic teams.  His research interests during residency included pediatric anterior cruciate ligament injuries, athletic foot and ankle injuries, and surgery of the shoulder.  Prior to completing his training, he was chosen as the administrative chief resident and received the Department of Orthopedics Award for Excellence in Medical Student Education.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Mitchell enjoys snowboarding, camping, hiking, and travelling.  He will be moving to Vail with his wife Laura, who will be completing her Nurse Practitioner Master’s degree, and both are excited to be a part of such an active community.    
 

Scott Montgomery, M.D.

Residency: UCLA Medical Center

Born and raised in the farming community of Exeter, California, Dr. Montgomery completed his undergraduate education at University of California, Santa Barbara, where he graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology and Political Science. 

Dr. Montgomery went on to receive his medical training at Cornell University Medical College in Manhattan, where he was elected a member of Alpha Omega Alpha. During medical school, he also played for the New York Athletic Club water polo team. Upon completing medical school, Scott returned to California for his orthopaedic surgery training at UCLA.  During his time at UCLA, Scott developed a weekly arthroscopy skills lab for the UCLA orthopedic residency. He also spent a year doing translational research focused on molecules that stimulate bone formation for fracture healing and spine fusion.

Scott and his wife Kate are happy to be moving to Vail with their 5 month old daughter, Cecelia and their dog Sophie.  His interests outside of medicine include swimming, skiing, and hiking.
 

Alex Vap, M.D.

Residency: Duke University

Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. Alex Vap grew up just outside Washington, D.C., the son of an Ear Nose and Throat doctor and the youngest of three children.  He completed his undergraduate education at Harvard University in 2004 where he graduated cum laude with a B.A. in European history.  While at Harvard, Alex was a member of the varsity lacrosse team and was voted team captain his senior season.  He decided as a senior in college to pursue a career in medicine.  After graduating, he spent the following year at Bryn Mawr College, completing the post-baccalaureate pre medical program.  While waiting to matriculate to medical school, he worked on Orthopaedic Trauma research at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

Dr. Vap received his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston Salem, NC in 2010 where he confirmed his interest in orthopaedics and also volunteered as a high school lacrosse coach at Reynolds High School.  He was then accepted to Duke University for his orthopaedic surgery training.  During his time at Duke, Dr. Vap provided physician coverage for most of Duke’s varsity athletic teams including the men’s football, basketball, and lacrosse teams.  His research interests at Duke included biomechanical gait studies of arthritis patients and plantar pressure loading studies of college athletes.  

Dr. Vap is very excited about the Steadman Clinic and about Vail.  His interests outside of medicine include lacrosse, ice hockey, skiing, fly-fishing, and distance running. 
 

Jonathan Backus, M.D.

Residency: Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Backus was born and raised in a southern Illinois farming town outside of St. Louis, where he grew up as a Cardinals baseball fan. He attended college at the University of Illinois and graduated with distinction and cum laude earning a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. During undergrad he also spent a semester studying Biology at Kings College in London. Following graduation, he was awarded a Cancer Research Training Award Fellowship at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD. The next year, he was accepted to the Duke University School of Medicine. While in medical school, he solidified his interest in orthopaedics and spent a year researching post-traumatic arthritis. After medical school, Dr. Backus completed his orthopaedic residency at Washington University in St. Louis, where he assisted with physician coverage to local high school athletics as well as the St. Louis Rams football and Blues hockey teams. His research focused on treatment outcomes for clavicle fractures and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. He is excited to continue his orthopaedic education and focus on the foot and ankle subspecialty.

Dr. Backus is looking forward to spending a year in Vail Valley hiking; fly fishing, and skiing with his wife Lesley, one-year-old dragon (daughter) Amalia and gangsta puppy Luna Dogg.
 

Richard Shin, M.D.

Residency: University of Chicago Medical Center

Dr. Shin was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, where he spent much of his free time fishing and, when in school, playing tennis and running track. He attended college at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, majoring in systems biology, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and subsequently went to Northwestern Medical School as part of the Honors Program in Medical Education. As part of his fourth year of training, he rotated in radiology at the Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. Following graduation, he trained in Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he undertook a further fellowship in interventional radiology. He has been in private practice in the Los Angeles area for several years now, and, due to an increasing exposure and personal interest in sports medicine/musculoskeletal imaging, is returning to his diagnostic radiology roots to undertake further research and training.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Shin has been a keen triathlete and runner, having qualified for and completed the 2012 Boston Marathon. He enjoys trail running and road biking, and is looking forward to training at altitude in the beautiful Vail environs, as well as exploring the wealth of activities the mountains have to offer!