Nicholas M. Bernthal

Dr. Nicholas M. Bernthal is the Chair and Executive Medical Director of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University (2002), earned his MD from Weill Cornell Medical College (2006) with Alpha Omega Alpha honors, and completed residency and fellowships at UCLA and the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

His research focuses on tumor biology, oncology implants, and novel imaging technologies. His NIH-funded laboratory develops antimicrobial implant coatings to prevent surgical infections, with publications on topics ranging from osteosarcoma chemotherapy outcomes to mouse models of prosthetic joint infections.

Scientific Awards

• Super Doctors (2022-2025)
• Los Angeles Magazine Top Doctors (2021-2025)
• Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award (2017)
• Young Investigator Award (MSTS, 2016-2017)
• Alpha Omega Alpha (2005) and Phi Beta Kappa (2002)