John Pitts, M.D.
Meet Dr. John Pitts
Dr. Pitts is originally from Chicago, IL but is a medical graduate of Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Nashville, TN. After Vanderbilt, he completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. The focus of PM&R is the restoration of function and quality of life.
In residency, he gained much experience in musculoskeletal medicine, rehabilitation, spine, and sports medicine along with some regenerative medicine. He also gained significant experience in fluoroscopically guided spinal procedures and peripheral injections. However, Dr. Pitts wanted to broaden his skills and treatment options beyond the current typical standards of care. Thus, he came to Colorado as a fellow to learn more about regenerative medicine and interventional orthopedics as well as to further develop his skills in fluoroscopic guided procedures, diagnostic ultrasound, and interventional ultrasound.
He has been involved in the research and development of regenerative procedures and post-procedural rehabilitation. He completed his fellowship in 2014 and was excited to stay on as a staff physician. He is the current fellowship director, teaches Regenexx affiliates, and regularly teaches at regenerative medicine conferences. Additionally, he has interests in nutrition, supplements, and complementary and alternative medicine. He has written a nutrition guide; Nutrition 2.0: 21st Century Guide to Nutrition and Health as Dr. Pitts believes in taking a holistic approach to patient care. He also is a main editor of the Atlas of Interventional Orthopedics, the first full textbook on the new field of Interventional Orthopedics to educate physicians on why and how to perform these injection procedures. Dr. Pitts is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In his spare time, he enjoys most outdoor activities, sports, biking, hiking, snowboarding, lifting weights, and traveling with his wife and 2 children.
Education
- Interventional Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine Fellowship
- Centeno-Shultz Clinic, Broomfield, CO
- Emory University Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Residency Program, Atlanta, GA
- Emory University Preliminary Medicine Program, Atlanta, GA
- Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
- Degree: Doctor of Medicine
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics/Economics
Board Certfications
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Part 1: Passed August 8, 2013
Part 2: Passed May 17, 2014
Colorado Medical License 04/13 – present
Grand Cayman Medical License 05/14 – present
Employment Experience
- Interventional Orthopedics and Regenerative medicine Physician and fellowship director– Centeno-Schultz Clinic 04/14 – Present
Broomfield, CO
Evaluate and treat patients with musculoskeletal, spine and orthopedic injuries utilizing non-surgical regenerative procedures including prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma, bone marrow concentrate, adipose grafts. Utilize both fluoroscopcic and ultrasound guided procedures.
Train fellows and affiliate physicians in interventional orthopedics; patient evaluation, diagnostic ultrasound and regenerative treatment. Train other physicians and organize education for training fellows. - Physician – Harmonic Health Clinic/Regenexx Cayman 06/14- Present
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
Evaluate and treat patients with musculoskeletal, spine and orthopedic injuries utilizing non-surgical regenerative procedures including cultured expanded mesenchymal stem cells, stromal vascular fraction,bone marrow concentrate, platelet rich plasma, and prolotherpay. - Physician– Sickle cell Acute Care Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital 09/11 – 06/13
Atlanta, GA
Staffed acute care center bi-monthly treating patients with acute complications of sickle cell, including pain management - Physical Education Teacher- Salem Christian Academy 08/04 – 06/05
Chicago, IL
Created and taught PE curriculum for nursery 3 – 8th graders
Professional Societies
- Interventional Orthobiologics Foundation 10/15 – Present
Contributor to educational curriculum with contributing education videos on the wrist, elbow, and ankle - American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 01/08 – Present
- International Spine Intervention Society 08/13 – Present
Publications
Peer-reviewed Journal Articles
- Centeno, CJ; Pitts, J; Al-Sayegh, H; Freeman, MD. Efficacy of Autologous Bone Marrow Concentrate for Knee Osteoarthritis with and without Adipose Graft. BioMed Research International Volume 2014, Article ID 370621. September 2014
- Centeno, CJ; Pitts, J; Al-Sayegh, H; Freeman, MD. Efficacy and Safety of Bone Marrow Concentrate for Osteoarthrtis of the Hip; Treatment Registry Results for 196 Patients. Stem cell Research and Therapy 2014, 4:10
- Centeno, CJ; Pitts, J; Al-Sayegh, H; Freeman, MD. Anterior cruciate ligament tears treated with percutaneous injection of autologous bone marrow nucleated cells: a case series. Journal of Pain Research. July 31, 2015
Other Publications
- Editor and Author- Atlas of Interventional Orthopedics Procedures May 2022
2022, Elsevier
Main editor and author contributor of the textbook on interventional orthopedic procedures and applications. - Author– Nutrition 2.0, Eating and Living to Achieve a Higher Quality of Life Now and into Your Golden Years
November, 2014
Written to be given to patients and used by a network of physicians and available for download/purchase on Amazon. - Contributing Writer– D Burke, et al.“Rehab in Review.” 06/10 – 05/11
Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
Wrote monthly journal article reviews for publication in a newsletter distributed to Physiatrists worldwide
Teaching/Presentations
Major Invited Speeches
Presenter and Instructor- Interventional Orthobiologics Foundation
Feb 17-19, 2023
Knee BMAC intraosseous versus PRP, Knee Candidacy for Orthobiologics; Cervical Function Spinal Unit plus intradiscal Case
Series, Cadaver lab: Teach the Teachers; Cadavear Lab: Bone Marrow aspiration.
Presenter- American Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (AAOM)
May 5, 2022 Denver Colorado, Dec 6, 2020 Virtual
Knee Intraosseous injections for OA versus intraarticular alone and Beware of the adjacent nerves: case presentation on healing iatrogenic axillary nerve injury with platelet lysate.
Presenter- The Superhuman Summit 2017
Oct 21, 2017
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Healing you with you. Stem Cells are the future of orthopedic care!
Presenter- The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Annual Assembly
Oct 19, 2016
New Orleans, LA
Orthobiologic Treatment for Spine Pain
Presenter- The Orthobiologic Institute (TOBI): 6th Annual PRP &Regenerative Medicine Symposium with Cadaver Lab
June 13, 2015
Las Vegas, NV
Treating Knee ACL Injuries with Advanced BMC
Major Conference Teaching
Instructor- The Orthobiologics Institute (TOBI)
June 9, 2022
Advanced workshop: lower extremity intraosseous injections
Injection skills, Cadaver Lab
Instructor- Interventional Orthopedic Foundation
Nov 20, 2021
Advanced workshop: lower extremity intraosseous injections
Core injection skills, Cadaver Lab
Instructor- Interventional Orthopedic Foundation
Dec 8, 2018
Series I workshop: Basic Elbow, Wrist, Hand, Ankle, and Foot
Core injection skills, Cadaver Lab
Instructor- Interventional Orthopedic Foundation
Sept 15, 2018
Series III workshop: Advanced Hip and Knee
Core injection skills, Cadaver Lab
Instructor- Interventional Orthopedic Foundation
July 21, 2018
Series III workshop: Advanced Spine April 14, 2018
Core injection skills, Cadaver Lab
Instructor- Interventional Orthopedic Foundation
March 31, 2018
Series I workshop: Basic shoulder
Core injection skills, Cadaver Lab
Instructor- American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Annual Assembly
Oct 11&13th, 2017
Regenerative skills workshop
Instructor- Interventional Orthopedic Foundation
June 17, 2017
Series III Workshop: Advanced shoulder
Core Injection Skills, Cadaver Lab
Broomfield, CO
Instructor- Interventional Orthopedic Foundation
April 7-8, 2017
Series I Workshop: Ankle and foot
Core Injection Skills, Cadaver Lab
Broomfield, CO
Instructor- Interventional Orthopedic Foundation
Febuary 18, 2017
Series I Workshop: Bone Marrow aspiration
Core Injection Skills, Cadaver Lab
Broomfield, CO
Instructor- Interventional Orthopedic Foundation
July 15, 2016
Series I Workshop: Basic Hip, Knee and Shoulder Orthobiologic
Core Injection Skills, Cadaver LabBroomfield, CO
Instructor- Interventional Orthopedic Foundation: 1st Annual Conference
March 5, 2016
Hands-on Image Guided Bone Marrow & Mini-Lipo Aspirate
Cadaver Lab
Broomfield, CO
Instructor- Interventional Orthopedic Foundation
Oct 24, 2015
Hands-on Fluoroscopy and Ultrasound Guided Bone Marrow Aspirate
Broomfield, CO
Leadership Activities
Sports Medicine Conference Liaison
05/11 – 05/12
Organized the sports medicine didactic conferences monthly for the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program at Emory
Vanderbilt Integrative Health Interest Group
2005 – 2008
Organized hands on workshops in chiropractic, acupuncture, Tai Chi, and massage for medical students
VUMC C.A.R.E.S. Campaign for Awareness Recycling & Environmental Sustainability -Collections coordinator
2006 – 2008
Organized pick up of recyclables and helped with advocating and promotion of recycling and sustainability projects at Vanderbilt School of Medicine
Service Activities
Shade Tree Clinic – Student volunteer
02/08 – 03/09
Regularly volunteered at student run clinic providing free primary care
Nashville, TN
Hillside Belize International – student volunteer
01/09 – 02/09
Volunteered at a free clinic in Punta Gorda, Belize providing free health care to the local community as well as surrounding villages via mobile clinics
Awards / Honors
Vanderbilt School of Medicine Williams Scholarship, Nashville, TN
2005 – 2009
Awarded full tuition scholarship and yearly stipend
Jackie Robinson Foundation scholar: Chicago Chapter
2000 – 2004
Received $6,000 yearly and attended yearly personal and professional networking conferences in New York City
Interests
Traveling, nutrition, outdoor activities, hiking, snowboarding, lifting weights, cross training, most sports such as basketball and tennis, watching movies and reading.
Dr Pitts demonstrates the height of professionalism and depth of knowledge treating my shoulder. While my visit was for my shoulder Dr. Pitts asked if…
Nancy C.
Dr Pitts is 100% about both patient care and improving quality of life for his patients. I had both PRP in my back and Stem…
Justin D.
AMAZING! I have had the unique experience of having Stem Cell Therapy done on both knees at by two different unrelated clinics. My first was…
Michell P.
Through all the phases leading to, during and after the stem cell procedures on my cervical spine and right shoulder were professional, based on kind…
Sandra H.