Specialty: Physician Assistant
Matt Chapman, PA-COriginally from California, Mathew (Matt) Chapman has been working in orthopedics since graduating from high school. He began his career in orthopedics while a student attending Fresno State University’s National Athletic Trainer’s Association accredited athletic training program. At Fresno State Matt was the head student athletic trainer for the university’s Division I wrestling team and basketball teams.
At the age of 21, and still a student, Matt was diagnosed with metastatic malignant melanoma. In a serious battle for his life, Matt was one of the first patients to enter an experimental treatment regimen using a tumor vaccine. It was at this time that Matt began to re-evaluate his life and began to dream about taking a more active role in helping patients. As a result, he pursued the goal of becoming a physician assistant.
By 1996, Matt was in remission from cancer and graduating from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. While at UTSW Matt did not simply meet his goal, he was also a peer leader, as the President of the John Paul North Physician Assistant Student Society. Upon graduation Matt continued his career in orthopedics working in sports medicine and total joint replacement.
Mr. Chapman has treated patients with spinal disorders since 1997. Well respected as a clinic provider and assistant surgeon in the medical community, Matt has a patient following all his own. He also has a strong background in research having been a site coordinator for FDA/IDE trials including disk replacement, and minimally invasive techniques. Matt has participated in the care of Division I college athletes, professionals from the NFL, MLB, NHL, and PRCA, as well as Olympians from various countries.
Matt has been honored to be a guest lecturer/speaker on spinal disorders and orthopedics in various venues. The most notable are the UTSW Physician Assistant Program and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants annual meeting. He has also has participated in the development of multiple surgical tools and devices for use in the spine, and has been asked to consult with various medical device companies and vendors.
Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), Mr. Chapman holds the title of Physician Assistant Certified (PA-C). He is licensed by the Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners and is recognized as a fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and Texas Academy of Physician Assistants. Matt is also a member of the North American Spine Society.
Matt, his wife Karen and two children live in Plano. Karen is an award-winning author of novels for young readers. (karenharingtonbooks.com). In his spare time, Matt enjoys time with his faith, family, fishing, and he is a proud participant in the Lone Star Early Bronco Club.