Christopher C. Lai, MD Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Dr. Lai graduated from the Rosalind Franklin University/ Chicago Medical School in 1994. He completed his General Surgical internship and Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics in 1999. He works in Brawley, CA and El Centro, CA and specializes in Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine. Dr. Lai is affiliated with Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District , Sharp Coronado Hospital and Orthopedic Surgery Center of La Jolla.

Education

• The University of California at Santa Cruz B.A. in Biology, June 1990
• The University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School
  Completed in June of 1994
• General Surgical Internship 07/1994-06/1995 University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics
• Orthopedic Surgical Residency 07/1995-06/1999
  University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics

Board Exams

• Passed Part I of the Orthopedic Board Examination, July 1999
  Recertified through 12/31/2023
• Passed Part II of the Orthopedic Board Examination July 2002
  Certified 7/18/2002 - 12/31/2012
  Recertified through 12/31/2023

Research

• 1998-1999 Initiated study on wear patterns of ceramic versus cobalt chrome heads in total hip arthroplasty at the University of MN and the Minneapolis VA Hospital.
• 1992-1994 Worked on a retrospective study through the Departments of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery correlating orthopedic injuries and falls from certain heights. The study was done at Cook County Hospital involving Mark Gonzalez M.D., John Barrett M.D., and Robert Smith M.D.
• Lai, Shumway M.D., Burdine M.D.: “Optimal Airway Management for Lung Preservation and Transplantation” September 1989. Unpublished. University of Minnesota Department of General Surgery.
• June 1988-August 1988: Studied the stabilization properties of enzymes used for DNA/RNA degradation. Study was done at Texas A&M University Department of Biochemistry under Dr. C.H. Wong.
• May 1986: Studied the effects of immunosuppressants on heart transplanted rats.
  Study was done at the University Of Minnesota Department Of Surgery with Dr. Sutherland

Appointments

• Chief of Emergency Medicine, Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District 2001
• Chief of Surgery Department, Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District 2001-2006
• Chief of Surgery Department, El Centro Regional Medical Center 2005-2008
• Medical Director Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District 2014-present

Affiliations

• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery
• Arthroscopy Association of North America