Physicians & Staff

Dr. Luga Podesta is a nationally recognized sports medicine physician specializing in the non-surgical treatment of orthopedic, musculoskeletal and sports related injuries to the shoulder, elbow, knee and spine.

Dr. Podesta has practiced non-surgical orthopedics and sports medicine since 1990. Dr. Podesta is a diplomat of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is Board Certified in both Sports Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Dr. Podesta is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Western University School of Health Sciences and remains active academically lecturing nationally and internationally on various topics specific to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries in the throwing athlete and other sports medicine topics. Dr. Podesta has authored or co-authored numerous scientific articles, book chapters and instructional videos on a variety of sports medicine topics and is a contributing writer on health related topics specific to musicians for DRUM! Magazine. His academic responsibilities also include the direct supervision and education of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic Sports Medicine Fellows as well as Western University School of Health Sciences medical students. He is a respected member of numerous medical societies including the American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, International Spinal Intervention Society, Arena Football Physician and Trainers Society and Major League Baseball Physicians Association.

Dr. Podesta has served and continues to serve as team physician and sports medicine consultant for numerous professional, collegiate, high school, recreational and youth athletic teams and as a consultant to many past and present professional athletes and musicians. He has served 16 seasons as a Team Physician for the LA Dodgers and in 2001, as the Head Team Physician for the World Champion LA Xtreme professional football team of the XFL. Dr. Podesta continues to serve as the Head Team Physician for the LA Avengers of the Arena Football League, LA Riptide professional lacrosse team of Major League Lacrosse and as a consultant to the Major League Baseball Umpires.

Dr. Podesta is the founder of the Podesta Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Institute in Thousand Oaks, California and continues to maintain an active practice at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles, California.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Pam P.

Registered Nurse  Office Manager

Pam has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in nursing from Wagner College in New York. Pam’s responsibility is to assure every patient’s experience at POSMI is pleasurable and your time is well spent. Pam is the Office Manager and is that smiling individual that greets our patient’s when they arrive and assists them through the necessary office registration. She will always provide an assisting hand when needed.

Nicole V.

Medical Assistant

Nicole has been working with Dr. Podesta for 4 years and has functioned as his medical assistant for over 2 years. She has been a loyal and dedicated member of POSMI since it’s inception. Nicole works closely with Dr. Podesta and oversees all his day-to-day clinical activities. Nicole assists with all aspects of daily patient care, surgery scheduling, imaging referrals and is responsible for obtaining all necessary insurance authorizations.

Misty M.

X-Ray Technician

Misty is a certified California X-Ray Technician and has worked with Dr. Podesta for over 10 years. Misty wears a number of hats at POSMI assisting in scheduling appointments and managing inventory, but most important duty is providing us with impeccable X-Ray images from our state-of-the-art digital X-ray equipment. Misty is an extremely friendly and dedicated individual that enhances each of our patient’s experience.