Stephanie Pearce, MDBoard Certified & Fellowship Trained Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Stephanie Stopka Pearce is a double board certified, dual-fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon and pediatric orthopedic surgeon. She focuses on complex injuries and conditions of the knee, elbow, shoulder, hip, and ankle, with a particular expertise in cartilage preservation and restoration. Her mission is to help competitive athletes return to their sport as quickly and safely as possible.
As a team physician for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Dr. Pearce is committed to caring for athletes at the local, national, and international levels. She has extensive experience working with Team USA athletes across multiple sports, including U.S. Snowboard, U.S. Freeski, and USA Field Hockey. She has also provided medical coverage and expertise for the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), as well as numerous universities and high schools, including The Bolles School and Norfolk Academy. Additionally, Dr. Pearce has cared for professional athletes competing in the NFL, MLB, and NHL.
Dr. Pearce is a sought-after lecturer, presenting on topics nationwide including cartilage preservation, ACL injuries, meniscal pathologies, shoulder instability and sports injuries in throwing athletes, and has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed journals and textbook chapters. Her research efforts include multi-center prospective trials aimed at improving surgical care quality and patient outcomes. Additionally, she served as the medical director for the Master’s Athletic Training program at Old Dominion University, and has trained the next generation of medical providers, including surgical and non-surgical fellows, residents and medical students, among students from other disciplines.
As a former Division I scholarship soccer player and collegiate triathlete, Dr. Pearce understands not only the physical demands of competitive sports, but also the importance of injury and treatment decisions for athletes pursuing collegiate, professional, or elite-level competition. This perspective allows her to thoughtfully consider return-to-play timelines, recruiting goals, competitive seasons, and long-term athletic health. As a mother of two and a former competitive athlete, she values being an active member of her communities serving with local, regional and national organizations to enhance sports medicine care and practices in her own backyard.
From athletes beginning their sports journeys to Olympic and professional competitors performing at the highest level, she is passionate about helping athletes remain active, achieve their goals, and return to competition with confidence.
