Dr. Cooper spent most of his early years in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Skyline High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Utah. Afterward, he returned to his roots, attending the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina, graduating in the top of his class and earning multiple academic scholarships and awards, including membership in the AOA Honor Society. He then completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, followed by a fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Denver, Colorado. While in residency and fellowship, Dr. Cooper was active in research for arthroscopic treatment for degenerative knee disorders, arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears, postoperative pain management following ACL reconstruction and a new technique for the treatment of shoulder separations and AC reconstruction. He was also involved with the care of high school, collegiate and professional athletes, including the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies.
Dr. Cooper moved back to Salt Lake City in 2005 as a founding partner in Comprehensive Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. His interest today includes minimally invasive techniques in ligament and cartilage reconstruction and getting athletes back to their sport safely. Currently, he is the head team physician and orthopedic surgeon for the Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer team, US Freeski (US Ski and Snowboard), Westminster College and Ballet West. Dr. Cooper is also the medical director of the Sports Med Utah regional sports program and the Solitude Ski Patrol and Clinic. In addition, he has worked closely with multiple high schools in the area and is the former orthopedic surgeon for the Utah Blaze AFL team. Dr. Cooper is board certified in orthopedic surgery by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS).
When not treating athletes and spending time with his family, Dr. Cooper enjoys endurance sports. He has competed in more than 50 triathlons, including six Ironman events, LOTOJA 208 mile bike race, too many marathons to count—qualifying for the Boston Marathon in 2001, 2008 and 2011. He also has a new interest in ultra-marathoning recently completing Squaw Peak 50 miler. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys skiing, hunting, fishing and backpacking in the remote wilderness.
