Christopher S. Vara, MD

After graduating from the United States Military Academy and completing five years of service in the United States Army, Christopher Vara, M.D., entered Georgetown University Medical School in 1996. Dr. Vara graduated cum laude in 2000 and entered orthopedic residency at Case Western Reserve/University Hospitals of Cleveland.

Following completion of his residency in 2005, Dr. Vara felt privileged to complete two separate fellowships. The first was in adult spine surgery at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. The second was in pediatric orthopedic surgery at The Intermountain Shriners Children's/Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dr. Vara's first experience with the Shriners Children's was under the training of Drs. D'Astous and Roach in Salt Lake City. Dr. Vara was impressed by the ability to reach out to children who needed the most attention, in the most remote areas. He was, and continues to be, impressed with Shriners Children's unwavering commitment to children, research and education. He also continues to find Shriners Children's management of the child's overall wellness, and not just their orthopedic impairments, a key team approach to care.

Dr. Vara is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He is a member of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery as well as the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America. He enjoys running, flying, skiing and hiking. He lives with his wife, Lynn, and two dogs (Emma and Katie) in Saint Paul, Minnesota.