Steven Garcia, MD, MS
Steven Garcia, MD, MS
Education
| Degree | Organization | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS, Bioengineering | University of California, Riverside | 2011 | |
| MS, Bioengineering | University of California, Riverside | 2012 | |
| MD | University of California, San Francisco, | 2018 | |
| Orthopaedic Residency | University of California, San Francisco | 2025 | |
| Pediatric Orthopaedic Fellowship | Boston Children’s Hospital | 2026 |
About Steven Garcia, MD, MS
Steven Garcia, MD, MS, is an assistant professor in the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon who cares for infants, children, and adolescents at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
Clinical Care
Dr. Garcia specializes in the treatment of a wide range of pediatric orthopaedic conditions, including cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders, pediatric trauma, and general and complex musculoskeletal conditions. Dr. Garcia is committed to providing compassionate, family-centered, evidence-based care that helps children achieve their highest level of function and return to the activities they enjoy.
Research
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Garcia is an orthopaedic surgeon-scientist whose research focuses on skeletal muscle biology, stem cell heterogeneity, and musculoskeletal regeneration. His laboratory investigates how muscle stem cells and fibroadipogenic progenitor cells regulate muscle repair, fibrosis, and fatty degeneration after injury. By defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive tissue regeneration, his research aims to develop biologically informed therapies that improve healing and restore musculoskeletal function. His work has been supported by competitive national research awards and has been published in leading journals, including Science Translational Medicine, The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, The American Journal of Sports Medicine, and eLife.
Education and Training
Dr. Garcia earned bachelor's and master's degrees in bioengineering from the University of California, Riverside before receiving his medical degree with Distinction from the UCSF School of Medicine. He completed his Orthopaedic Surgery Residency in the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, followed by a fellowship in pediatric orthopaedic surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital–Harvard Medical School, where he received advanced training in caring for children with complex musculoskeletal conditions. He returned to UCSF as a faculty member in 2026.
Teaching and Mentorship
A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Garcia is passionate about training the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons and physician-scientists. Throughout his career, he has mentored medical students, residents and basic science trainees, volunteered with the UCSF PlaySafe program, served as team physician for local high school athletes, and participated in mentorship programs that expand opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing careers in medicine and science.
Outside of work, Dr. Garcia enjoys cooking and baking, running, hiking, camping, following Formula 1 and basketball, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops.
