David L. Skaggs, MD
Executive Vice Chair, Department of Orthopaedics
Director, Pediatric Orthopaedics
Co-Director, Spine Center

Clinical Office
444 S San Vicente Blvd
Ste 901
Los Angeles, CA
90048
Phone:
310-423-6665
Fax:
424-314-6414
David L. Skaggs, MD
Executive Vice Chair, Department of Orthopaedics
Director, Pediatric Orthopaedics
Co-Director, Spine Center
Specialty
- Orthopaedics
Subspecialty
- Pediatric Orthopaedics
- Spine
Clinical Expertise Areas
- Back Pain in Athletes
- Growth Friendly Spine Instrumentation
- Kyphosis
- Scoliosis
- Spondylolysis/Spondylolisthesis
Research Profile
Dr. Skaggs was at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles/USC for 24 years where he served as the Chief of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Chief of Spine Surgery and Professor with Tenure and held an Endowed Chair of Pediatric Spinal Disorders. His current positions are: Co-Director Spine Institute, Executive Vice-Chair of Orthopaedics, Director Pediatric Orthopaedics, and Professor of Orthopaedics, Pediatrics and Neurosurgery. Dr. Skaggs received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College where he was a NCAA All-American in the 400M hurdles. He completed his medical degree, residency, and research fellowship at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. His Pediatric and Spine Fellowship was at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. He is renowned for his expertise in the treatment of children with spinal deformity and trauma. He has published over 250 peer-reviewed papers and delivered over 750 national and international lectures. Dr. Skaggs has designed 5 lines of spinal implants and developed numerous surgical techniques adopted world-wide. He has trained over 30 pediatric Orthopaedic fellows, and hundreds of residents and medical students. He greatly enjoys mentoring, teambuilding and engaging in leadership topics. Dr. Skaggs serves as the Co-Editor in Chief of Orthobullets, the top Orthopaedic educational internet presence with over one hundred million-page views annually. He has edited multiple editions of the top selling textbook in the field of pediatric Orthopaedics, and well as editing 2 other texts which are purchased for trainees throughout the country's top institutions. He is the Founding President of the Pediatric Spine Foundation and Study Group which has is the largest spine database in the world, after helping lead smaller study groups to a merger. Dr. Skaggs is quick to say his most important job is his family. His daughter Kira is a future Orthopaedic surgeon at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. Jamie is the first employee of a start-up biotech hedge fund, and Clay is on an Air Force scholarship at Yale. His wife Valerie Ulene is the principle of Clear View Health, a health care navigation company. He also enjoys working out, socializing, bad jokes, and playing golf poorly.
Education
- Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians And Surgeons, 1989
- Residency: New York Presbyterian-Columbia Medical Center, 1994
- Fellowship: Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, 1995
Languages Spoken
English
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