About Nirav Pandya, MD

Dr. Nirav K. Pandya, MD, is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine for young athletes. He joined the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in 2012 and serves as Associate Vice Chair for Clinical Operations, Site Medical Director for Pediatric Orthopaedics at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, and Director of the UCSF Center for Sports Medicine for Young Athletes.

Clinical care Dr. Pandya provides care in both clinic and hospital settings, using a range of traditional and minimally invasive surgical techniques. He has a particular interest in arthroscopic treatment of cartilage and ligament injuries of the ankle, knee, elbow, and shoulder.

Research interests His research focuses on how single-sport specialization affects young athletes, developing and improving surgical techniques for cartilage and ligament injuries in growing athletes, and studying outcomes of traumatic injuries in pediatric patients.

Education and training Dr. Pandya earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago, where he also served as an assistant coach for the track and field team. As an undergraduate, he competed on the track and field team, serving as team captain his senior year and remaining one of the school’s top 10 triple jumpers in history. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a fellowship in pediatric orthopedic surgery at Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego.

Professional memberships and honors He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a founding member of the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society. Dr. Pandya is also a member of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and the Arthroscopy Association of North America.

Outreach Dr. Pandya co-hosts the podcast 6-8 Weeks: Perspectives on Sports Medicine. and is heavily involved in youth athletics across the Bay Area. He is also a frequent contributor to local and national media, providing expert commentary on breaking stories in youth sports medicine.

Dr. Pandya sees patients at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in Oakland and Walnut Creek, as well as at the UCSF Orthopaedic Institute in San Francisco.

Video:  Learn more about Pediatric Orthopaedics and Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UCSF.