Our Team

Emily Benson, MD Director of Orthopedic Surgery

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Undergraduate: Brown University

Med school: Boston University Medical School

Residency: University of Massachusetts

Fellowship: Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Specialists San Diego, CA - Orthopedic Trauma

Board Certification: Board Certified by American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Professional Memberships:

• Orthopedic Trauma Association
• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
• AO North America
• Health Care Volunteers-Orthopedics Overseas

Hobbies: Triathlons, surfing, trail running

 

Clinic Location: West Ventura Orthopedic Clinic

Thomas Wu, MD Associate Director of Orthopedic Surgery

Hometown: Beijing, China/Somerset, New Jersey

Undergraduate: Harvard University

Med School: Washington University

Residency: George Washington University

Fellowship: University of California, Los Angeles - Sports Medicine

Board Certifications: Board Certified by American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, CAQ - Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Professional Memberships:

• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
• American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
• Arthroscopy Association of North America

Hobbies: Traveling, eating delicious things, spending time with my children, hiking, photography, music

 

Clinic Locations: Las Islas Orthopedic Clinic, West Ventura Orthopedic Clinic

Denise Stennette, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Hometown: Pleasanton, CA

Undergraduate: University of California, Davis

Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine

Residency: University of Southern California

Board Certification: Board Certified by American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Professional Memberships: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

Hobbies: Outrigger canoe paddling, road biking, travel/wine tasting

 

Clinic Locations: West Ventura Orthopedic Clinic, Las Islas Orthopedic Clinic

Tadashi Takara, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Hometown: Concord, California

Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego

Medical School: University of California, San Diego

Residency: University of Southern California

Fellowship: University of California, Los Angeles - Sports Medicine

Board Certifications: Board Certified by American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, CAQ-Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Professional Memberships:

• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
• American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine

Hobbies: Pro Sports (MLB, NFL, NBA), Fantasy Football, Poker

 

Clinic Locations: West Ventura Orthopedic Clinic , Las Islas Orthopedic Clinic

Damayea Hargett, MD Orthopedic Surgeon
VCMC/SPH Chief of Surgery

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Undergraduate: Bethune-Cookman University

Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine

Residency: University of Southern California

Fellowship: Georgia Orthopedic Trauma Institute, Macon, GA - Orthopedic Trauma

Board Certification: Board Certified by American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Professional Memberships:

• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
• Orthopedic Trauma Association
• AO North America
• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
• National Medical Association
• J.Robert Gladden Orthopedic Society
• Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society

Hobbies: International travel to experience different cultures & food, hiking, music, and spending time with family

 

Clinic Locations: West Ventura Orthopedic Clinic

Mary Ragsdale, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Hometown: Woodland, CA

Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego

Graduate: Georgetown

Medical School: New York Medical College

Residency: State University of New York, Stony Brook

Fellowship: University of California, Davis - Adult Reconstruction

Board Certification: Board Certified by American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Professional Memberships: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

Hobbies: Lifelong passion for photography. Love the outdoors and traveling to National Parks. Just took up the piano and ukulele

 

Clinic Locations: Conejo Valley Orthopedic Clinic, Las Islas Orthopedic Clinic

Michael Maguire, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Undergraduate: Creighton University

Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine

Residency: University of California, San Diego

Fellowship: University of Utah Primary Children’s Medical Center & Shriner’s Hospital - Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery

Board Certification: Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Professional Memberships: Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery

Clinic Locations: West Ventura Orthopedic Clinic

Sean Early, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Undergraduate: University of Arizona

Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine

Residency: University of Southern California

Fellowship: University of California, San Diego & Children’s Hospital San Diego - Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery

Board Certification: Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Professional Memberships: Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America

Clinic Locations: West Ventura Orthopedic Clinic

Ross Monroe, PA-C Chief Physician Assistant

Hometown: Newtown, PA

Undergraduate: University of North Carolina Wilmington

Graduate: University of Southern California
Certified Physician Assistant by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Hobbies: Surfing, running, wood working, camping

 

Clinic Locations: VCMC Orthopedic Clinic, Fillmore Specialty Clinic, Las Islas Orthopedic Clinic

Casey Lowe, PA-C Physician Assistant

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Undergraduate: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Graduate: Chapman University
Certified Physician Assistant by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Professional Memberships: American Academy of Physician Assistants

Hobbies: Trail running, cycling, camping and backpacking

 

Clinic Locations: West Ventura Orthopedic Clinic, Las Islas Orthopedic Clinic

Jessica Cataldo Ramirez, PA-C Physician Assistant

Hometown: Agoura Hills, CA

Undergraduate: Jacksonville University

Graduate: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Certified Physician Assistant by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Hobbies: Running, reading, spending time with family and pets

 

Clinic Locations: West Ventura Orthopedic Clinic, Las Islas Orthopedic Clinic, Conejo Valley Orthopedic Clinic