Dr. Justin Barad is willing to do whatever it takes to help the human body heal and grow stronger, including putting metal inside it, if necessary. “That’s like the ‘Six Million Dollar Man’ or the ‘Terminator’ – it’s fascinating,” enthuses Dr. Barad.

A native Angeleno and Berkeley graduate who attended UCLA Medical School, Dr. Barad is now a second-year resident in the UCLA / Orthopaedic Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Training Program. He did his pediatric orthopaedic rotation at LAOH this year and expresses his appreciation that, in addition to delivering high-quality care, LAOH physicians and staff – whom he calls “inspirational” – take pains to ensure that residents receive a quality learning experience.

He emphasizes the importance of experiencing a full range of care through the guided hands-on approach the residency program offers, noting, “Without a real understanding of the special requirements of pediatric orthopaedics, it’s easy for a physician to miss a problem and not treat it correctly.”

Dr. Barad’s delight in pediatric orthopaedics is high – as is his enthusiasm for the field in general. “In orthopaedics,” he says, “you meet someone who can’t walk or is in a lot of pain, and, most often, after their care, they are able to walk out the door in a much better condition. It’s intensely gratifying.” He adds, “I just wish more people knew about LAOH and the care that’s available. Many parents don’t know to come here first, and when they do, their kids’ condition has unfortunately gotten worse. LAOH is such a resource. Kids come here in real need of help with trauma, and insurance doesn’t come up. The focus is always on the kids. It’s just about making them better.”

Summing up his experience at LAOH, Dr. Barad says, “However much you give to LAOH, you are guaranteed to get back even more.”