Our Providers
From the appointment scheduler who helps you find the right physician, to the receptionist who greets you at the front desk, the staff of Desert Orthopedic Center takes pride in making your visit as comfortable as possible. Our chief executive officer and administrator oversee a staff of nearly 150 employees dedicated to quality patient care.
In order to effectively deliver the high standard of medical care for which it is known, Desert Orthopedic Center maintains a staff of qualified specialists and places a great emphasis on education. From continuing medical education to recent changes in insurance and Workers Compensation regulations, our staff keeps abreast of the latest technology to provide you with the most competent and comprehensive care available.
A team approach starts at the top with physician specialists covering all areas of orthopedics. All physicians are board certified and have met rigorous training and technical requirements to become part of DOC. Many are fellowship trained and bring credentials from around the world.
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Stephen J. O'Connell, M.D.
Chairman Emeritus
Director, Hand and Wrist SurgeryStephen J. O’Connell, M.D. a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in surgery of the hand, wrist and shoulder. He joined Desert Orthopedic Center in 1988 to establish and direct the Center’s hand and upper extremity program.
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David A. Friscia, M.D.
Director of Foot & Ankle Surgery
David A. Friscia, M.D. joined Desert Orthopedic Center in 1990 to serve as director of the Center’s foot and ankle program. A Southern California native, Dr. Friscia was raised in Long Beach.
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James A. Bell, M.D., Ph.D.
General Orthopedics
James A. Bell, M.D., Ph.D. is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in orthopedic trauma, sports medicine and joint replacement. He is also certified in Sports Medicine. He joined Desert Orthopedic Center in 1996.
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A. David Tahernia, M.D.
Chairman
Director of the Comprehensive Spine CenterA. David Tahernia, M.D. is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic spinal surgeon. He joined Desert Orthopedic Center in 2003 where he is the Director of the Comprehensive Spine Center.
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Patrick St. Pierre, M.D.
Director, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Committed to the care of athletes of all ages, Dr. Patrick St. Pierre is the team physician for College of the Desert, Palm Desert High School and Palm Springs Power Baseball.
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Matthew Diltz, M.D.
Director, Sports Medicine
Matthew V. Diltz, M.D. is a board certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine. He is a native of Southern California.
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Phillip Jeffrey Smith, D.O.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
P. Jeffrey Smith, D.O. is a fellowship-trained pain management and interventional spine specialist and is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
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Reginald Fayssoux, M.D.
Spinal Surgeon
Reginald Fayssoux, MD is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spinal surgeon who specializes in the operative and nonoperative care of patients with problems related to their spine.
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Hazmer Cassim, DO DABPM
Chair of Pain Management Eisenhower Medical Center
Director of Pain Management Desert Orthopedic CenterDr. Cassim is a board-certified physiatrist (PM & R) with additional certification in pain management from the American Board of Pain Medicine (ABPM).
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Erik Schnaser, M.D.
Hip & Knee Reconstruction
Erik Allen Schnaser, M.D. is a fellowship trained and Board Certified hip and knee replacement surgeon. He specializes in adult hip and knee disorders including pre-arthritic and arthritic conditions.
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Dustin Briggs, M.D.
Hip & Knee Reconstruction
Dustin Briggs, MD, is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery specializing in the treatment of hip and knee arthritis.
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Ghassan Boghosian, D.O.
Hip & Knee Reconstruction
Dr. Boghosian is a fellowship-trained and board certified orthopedic surgeon, specializing in adult primary and revision joint replacement of the hip and knee.
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Julie Johnson, M.D.
Orthopedic Foot & Ankle
Julie Johnson, M.D. joined Desert Orthopedic Center in 2016 as an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist. Dr. Johnson formerly practiced in Fargo, North Dakota, but as a native Nevadan, she is happy to return to the West Coast after 10 years living across the country.
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David D. Savin, M.D.
Orthopedic Shoulder and Elbow
David Daniel Savin, M. D. is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder and elbow disorders, as well as general orthopaedics and fracture care.
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Jacob R. Bosley, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgeon
Jacob R. Bosley, M.D. is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon. His training has included a focus on surgery of the hand, wrist and upper extremity.
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Kevin Wong, DO
Pain Management/Anesthesiology
Dr. Kevin Wong, D.O. is a board-certified Anesthesiologist with fellowship training in Pain Medicine. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Management Science at the University of California, San Diego
Nurse Practitioner
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Janet Conley, NP
Certified Nurse Practitioner
Janet Conley, CNP is a native of Greenup County, Kentucky. Janet graduated from Shawnee State University in Ohio with a BSN in Nursing and Walden University with a Master of Science in Nursing along with a degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
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Adam Wood, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Adam Wood is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, focusing his talents on pain management and interventional spine medicine.
Physician Assistants
Physician assistants (PAs) is a healthcare professional who is trained and licensed to practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services, as delegated by a physician.
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Christopher Gardhouse, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Christopher Gardhouse, PA-C, is a Southern California native who grew up in Agoura Hills. He joined Desert Orthopedic Center after attending Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) in Boston, Massachusetts, where he graduated with high honors and received his Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS).
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Molly McKeown, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Molly McKeown, PA-C, joined Desert Orthopedic Center after graduating from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, with her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. While in school, she had a special interest in orthopedic surgery and is thrilled to join the DOC team.
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Levi Williamson, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Levi Williamson, PA-C, is a graduate of Red Rocks Community College PA Program in Denver, Colorado, where he earned his Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS).
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Andrew Charles Allen PA-C, M.MSc.
Director of P.A.
Andrew Allen, M.M.Sc., PA-C joined Desert Orthopedic Center in 2004 after receiving a Master of Medical Science from the Yale University School of Medicine in 2003.
Matthew Bartie, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Matthew Bartie has a double Bachelor’s in Psychology and Philosophy from California State University, San Bernardino and received his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona.
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Say Thao, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Say Thao, PA-C is a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate, where he completed his undergraduate degree and Physician Assistant training.
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David Delgadillo, PA-C
Physician Assistant
David Delgadillo, PA-C, a graduate of USC School of Medicine, joined Desert Orthopedic Center in 1995 following his academic achievements and several years of experience.
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Marianne Dezelan, PA-C
Physician Assistant
A native of Southern California, Marianne Dezelan, PA-C earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside. She is also a graduate of Western University Health Sciences Physician Assistant program in Pomona.
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Kirt L. Edly D.C, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Kirt L. Edly, D.C., PA-C has more than 20 years as a health practitioner. He began his education with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
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William (Bill) H. Hinds, MMS, PA
Physician Assistant
William (Bill) H. Hinds, MMS, PA has been an active health practitioner for the past 20 years. His early medical experience began when he obtained a certificate in Sports Medicine from San Bernardino Valley College in San Bernardino.
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Michael Guiles, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Michael Guiles is a native of Montana, studied at the University of Montana, Montana State University of Billings and received his BS Physician Assistant degree at Rocky Mountain College School of Allied Health.
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McKelle Wilwand, PA
Physician Assistant
McKelle Wilwand, PA-C, joined Desert Orthopedic Center after graduating from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah, with her Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS).
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Brendan C. Murphy, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Brendan C. Murphy, MPA, PA-C is a graduate of Loma Linda University’s Masters Program in Physician Assistant studies receiving honors.
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Jim Rosell, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Jim S. Rosell, PA-C, is a native to Southern California where he studied and graduated in Biochemistry from Cal State Fullerton.
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Hannah Glenn, PA-C
Physician Assistant
I approach each patient visit with my full focus and effort. My hope is that each patient feels like I am their advocate for care.