Dr. Purnell completed his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1983 and a residency in Orthopedic Surgery from Boston University Affiliated Hospitals Program in 1988. He followed that up with the internationally acclaimed AO Fellowship in Munich, Germany for advanced orthopedic techniques and a Sports Fellowship from North Sydney Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Centre, New South Wales, Australia. He set up his private practice with the OrthoMed Center in Modesto in 1989.
With more than 30 years in his chosen field, Dr. Purnell is a renowned orthopedic surgeon who sits on the surgical advisory board of various organizations and participates in the design and development of knee and shoulder prostheses, as well as sports medicine devices. Known for his focus on shoulder and knee conditions along with his passion for Sports Medicine, Dr. Purnell also has the distinction of having a design patent to his name--The Beach Chair Lateral Traction device. This device is an apparatus for positioning a human arm in space for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Dr. Purnell is trusted by multiple college sports teams for his knowledge and experience with sports medicine and founded Sports Medicine Modesto - a non-profit athletic training program and educational foundation in Modesto, California.
Dr. Purnell is also listed in Becker's 25 Knee Surgeons to Know, highlighting his clinical practice expertise in Sports Medicine with a focus on the knee and shoulder. Additionally, Dr. Purnell is one of only 2500 orthopedic surgeons in the country, and the only one in Stanislaus County to have earned the distinguished certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Undergraduate:
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois
Medical School:
Doctor of Medicine
University of Iowa College of Medicine
Iowa City, Iowa
Internship:
Transitional Internship
Evanston Hospital
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois
Residency:
Orthopedic Surgery Residency
Boston University Affiliated Hospitals Program
Boston, MA
Fellowship:
Sports Medicine Fellowship
North Sydney Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Centre
New South Wales, Australia
AO Fellowship (Internal Fixation)
Munich, Germany
Certifications:
Diplomate, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Certificate of Added Qualification, Sports Medicine
Licensure:
California
Iowa
Attending:
Doctors Medical Center, Modesto, CA
Stanislaus Surgical Hospital, Modesto, CA
Memorial Medical Center, Modesto, CA
Professional:
OrthoMed Center, Private Practice
Modesto, CA
Founder, Sports Medicine Modesto
Non-Profit Athletic Training Program and Education Foundation
Modesto, CA
Surgical Advisory Board, Shoulder Innovations
Surgical Advisory Board, Conventus
Surgical Advisory Board, Pacific Medical, Inc.
Clinical Consultant, Arthrex
Orthopedic Consultant, Central West Ballet
Editorial Review Staff, American Journal of Sports Medicine
Academic Appointment:
Faculty Member
Valley Consortium for Medical Education
Valley Orthopedic Surgery Residency
Modesto, CA
Patent:
The Beach Chair Lateral Traction Device
Compositional Patent for Topical Antimicrobial Cream
Team Physician:
California State University Stanislaus
Seattle Mariners - "Modesto Affiliate"
Head Team Physician, Modesto Junior College
Board of Directors:
Board of Councilors, AAOS
Stanislaus Surgical Hospital
California Orthopedic Association
Member:
Fellow, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery
Member, American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
Member, Biologics Association
Member, California Medical Association
Member, California Orthopedic Association
President, California Orthopedic Foundation
Member, Stanislaus Medical Society
1335 Coffee Road Suite #101
Modesto, CA 95355
Phone: (209) 524-4438
Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
