Medical Advisors

Experts in Regenerative Medicine

Bert Mandelbaum, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon, a member of the Board of Directors and co-chair of medical affairs at the renowned Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, as well as the published author of “The Win Within: Capturing Your Victorious Spirit.” He has over three decades of experience covering a range of orthopaedic, adult, and pediatric sports medicine, and overall wellness topics.

Dr. Mandelbaum currently serves as the Associate Chief Medical Officer for Major League Soccer, Medical Director for the FIFA Medical Center of Excellence in Santa Monica, Co-Director of The USOC CSS National Medical Center of Excellence, and resides on the USOC National Medical Network Advisory Group. He has served as Director of Research for Major League Baseball and team physician for numerous collegiate and Major League Soccer teams, as well as for the U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team. He currently serves as Medical Director of the FIFA Medical Center of Excellence in Santa Monica, and on the U.S. Olympic Committee National Medical Network Advisory Group.

Dr. Mandelbaum also served as Chief Medical Officer for the 2015 World Special Olympic Games in Los Angeles; Chief Medical Director for the 2016 Copa America Centenario and CONCACAF; FIFA IOC Medical Officer for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Chief Medical Officer for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He is a member of multiple professional medical societies including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.

In addition to authoring and co-authoring a bevy of clinical research on a variety of orthopaedic topics, Dr. Mandelbaum has received numerous public accolades including designation as a Super Doctor in Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery for a consecutive 12-year period since 2007. Dr. Mandelbaum is also a frequent medical expert contributor to mainstream media publications and websites including Medscape, Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, MSN, and Men’s Health, as well as local and television news outlets, including NBC, ABC, and Fox television affiliates.

Jason L. Dragoo, MD, Professor and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs for the CU Department of Orthopaedics, is a pioneer in the field of Biologics and Regenerative Medicine, as well as minimally invasive Sports Medicine procedures. He is the Endowed Chair of Regenerative Medicine and has developed many procedures designed to augment the healing of a patient’s own body. He strongly favors the use of autologous procedures (the use of the patient’s own tissue or cells for the procedure) versus allograft procedures (using tissue and cells from another human).

Dr. Dragoo believes that joint restoration techniques, which add tissue back to a damaged joint, should be used whenever possible (e.g., cartilage and meniscal transplantation), rather than procedures that are designed to take tissue away (meniscal resection). He approaches standard procedures such as ACL reconstruction, meniscal and tendon repair with a less-invasive approach than commonly performed. A significant number of Dr. Dragoo’s patients are elite athletes (professional, collegiate, or Olympic) but he welcomes athletic patients of all ages and treats them with the same philosophy and surgical or non-surgical techniques.

Dr. Dragoo is the Head Team Physician for the Denver Nuggets. He is also a consultant physician for the US Ski Team and was previously the Head Team Physician for the Stanford Football Program for 13 years. Dr. Dragoo grew up in the Napa Valley and is an avid wine collector, outdoor enthusiast, youth football coach and a hot air balloon pilot.

Dr. Ariana DeMers is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who completed a prestigious one-year sports medicine fellowship at the Taos Orthopaedic Institute in Taos, New Mexico. She founded Sierra Orthopedic Institute in 2010. Dr. DeMers's interest in medicine began at a young age when she broke her arm at nine, sparking her fascination with the medical field and the recovery process. She earned her medical degree from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing, Michigan. During her fellowship in Taos, Dr. DeMers treated a diverse range of patients, including high school and college athletes, weekend warriors, elite high-altitude runners, and professional ski racers. She actively contributed to multiple research projects, technology development, and innovations in surgical techniques.

A past president and board member of the Interventional Orthobiologics Foundation, Dr. DeMers is also a highly sought-after educator and trainer in orthobiologics and ultrasound. She established Women Physicians in Orthobiologics & Wellness (WOW), a community designed to support and uplift women in the fields of business, medicine, and personal development. Currently, she serves as Vice Chair of the Academy of International Regenerative Medicine & Surgery Society (AIRMSS) and co-chair of the 2025 Biologic Association Summit.

In her practice, Dr. DeMers treats a wide range of patients, from children with playground injuries to high school and college athletes. She employs cutting-edge technology to facilitate their swift return to active lifestyles, particularly in the Sierra region. Her areas of subspecialty include shoulder and knee ligament reconstruction, cartilage repair, concussion management, osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment, patellofemoral reconstruction, and joint replacement.

Originally from Colorado, Dr. DeMers enjoys skiing and hiking in her leisure time. She frequently skis at Dodge Ridge and takes trips to Yosemite, as well as exploring renowned hiking destinations such as Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.