Stephen J. O'Connell, M.D.

Helping people regain function or relieve pain so they can get back to their work or favorite activity is what I enjoy about surgery of the hand, wrist and shoulder.

Dr. Stephen J. O’Connell is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and a nationally recognized leader in upper extremity surgery, specializing in the hand, wrist, and shoulder. As Chairman Emeritus and one of the founding physicians of Desert Orthopedic Center, Dr. O’Connell has been at the forefront of orthopedic innovation and surgical excellence in the Coachella Valley for over three decades.

Since joining the practice in 1988, Dr. O’Connell has been instrumental in developing and directing Desert Orthopedic Center’s highly regarded Hand and Upper Extremity Program. From 2009 to 2022, he served as Chairman of the Board, helping lead the Orthopedic and Surgical Centers through periods of significant growth and advancement. His vision and leadership played a central role in the expansion of orthopedic services across the region.

Dr. O’Connell is also deeply committed to advancing healthcare access and excellence for the greater Coachella Valley. He has served on the Eisenhower Health Board of Trustees since 2015 and the Board of Directors since 2016, where he was a key figure in the capital campaign and development of the newly expanded Eisenhower Desert Orthopedic Center, which opened in 2021. His efforts helped usher in a state-of-the-art facility, widely recognized as one of the most technologically advanced orthopedic centers in the United States.

Recognized for his clinical expertise and community impact, Dr. O’Connell has consistently been featured on Palm Springs Life's Top Doctors list, profiled in Health Tech Magazine, and quoted in national outlets including CNBC as an expert in orthopedics.

A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Dr. O’Connell graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame and earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he also completed his internship and residency. He went on to complete a fellowship in hand, upper extremity and micro surgery at the prestigious Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. He is board certified in orthopedic surgery and holds additional qualifications in hand surgery from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

Dr. O’Connell is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the California Medical Association, and the University of Maryland Surgical Society. He is a frequent lecturer on both advanced surgical techniques and public health education, committed to informing and inspiring both colleagues and patients.

With a deep interest in fracture management, soft tissue reconstruction and joint replacement of the wrist and hand as well as medical economics, Dr. O’Connell continues to shape the future of orthopedic medicine in Southern California.

• Rotator Cuff Repair

• Treatment of Common Hand Problems

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Shoulder Pain

• Eisenhower Desert Orthopedic patient Eric Nicoll Discuss Wrist Injury and Recovery

• Introduction

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