Dr. David J. Chao

  • Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Diplomate, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Subspecialty Certified in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
  • Founder/President, San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation
  • Founder of SICscore.com
  • SiriusXM Sports Medical Analyst
  • Official FanDuel Injury Expert
  • Regular appearances on FOX, CBS and highlighted at ESPN
18K+ SURGERIES PERFORMED
17+ YEARS EXPERIENCE

David J. Chao, MD is a board-certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with a Subspecialty Certification in Sports Medicine, who has been engaged in an active San Diego practice since 1995. He is a member of:

  • the international ACL Study Group,
  • the NFL Physicians Society,
  • American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine,
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and
  • is an Assistant Clinical Instructor at UCSD.

In addition to his San Diego practice, he serves as a team physician for multiple sports teams and events, including being the Former Head Team Physician for the San Diego Chargers. Dr. Chao is also the former Chief Medical Officer for ESPN’s X Games at over two dozen summer and winter games. He is the former Team Physician for the USA Sevens Rugby Team and served as Team Physician for many local universities and high schools. Dr. Chao has been a medical consultant for the WWE and a host physician for the USA Olympic Committee. Many MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL athletes across the nation have consulted with Dr. Chao to obtain his recommendations.

David J. Chao, MD is the founder and President of The SDSMF (San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation), which was created in 2002 to provide a medical safety net for injured youth with limited financial means, in order to return them back to health, life and sports. SDSMF touches hundreds of youth each year and has performed over 50 free surgeries to date for San Diego students.

Dr. Chao is also an active member of many community organizations including:

  • San Diego International Sports Council (Board Member),
  • Junior Seau Foundation (Board Member),
  • Wells Fargo Bank (Community Board Member), and
  • San Diego Chargers Community Foundation (Leadership Team Member).

After growing up in southern California, Dr. Chao attended Harvard University and then received his medical degree from the Northwestern University School of Medicine at Chicago in 1989. He is known for providing cutting-edge orthopaedic care, especially in the sports medicine arena, has lectured nationally and holds patents on innovative orthopaedic products.

Shaun Young

Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C)

Shaun has worked with Dr. Chao since 1996. His role is to assist Dr. Chao in clinic and in surgery. He graduated from BYU in sports medicine. He used to work as an athletic trainer for the San Diego Chargers.

View Shaun Young'S CV

Current & Past Fellows

Brian Moss, DO

Fellow 2011-2012

Amy Starry, DO

Fellow 2009-2010

Razvan Scobercea, MD

Fellow 2008 – 2009

Matthew Gargulinski, DO

Fellow 2007-2008

Torey P. Botti, MD

Fellow 2005-2006

Robert Berry, MD

Fellow 2004-2005

Sumit Dewanjee, MD

Fellow 2003-2004

David Hoang, MD

Fellow 2002-2003

Christopher S. Pallia, MD

Fellow 2001-2002


OASIS MSO and Dr. David Chao sponsors a 12-month Fellowship Program known as the San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation Fellowship. This program provides a unique opportunity to provide a high level of training to a new physician, as well as the opportunity for a “hands on” experience in an established sports medicine clinic. The fellowship program was started in 2002. Currently, the candidates have the opportunity to work under two team physicians for the San Diego Chargers. This allows the opportunity to learn from nationally-renowned physicians as they rotate different areas of specialization. The program runs from August 1 to July 31st.

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