Our Providers

The physicians and physician assistants of Carolina Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Specialists are among the region's leading specialists in all facets of sports medicine and orthopaedic care. Each has earned an outstanding reputation for expertise and experience, as well as personal, compassionate care.


Douglas F. Messina, MD

Dr. Messina is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery of the shoulder and knee, as well as total joint replacements of the knee and hip. He is fellowship-trained in sports medicine and reconstructive surgery. He has been with CSM since 1997. An athlete himself, Dr. Messina takes great pride in helping athletes and active persons of all ages return to their pre-injury levels of activity. He has extensive experience treating athletes at the college and professional level and serves as team physician for several southeastern North Carolina high school athletic teams, including the 2014-2015 state football champion Wallace-Rose Hill Bulldogs. Dr. Messina competes in triathlons and is an avid tennis player and golfer. He is married and has three children.

Education:
B.S., Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
MD, University of Florida College of Medicine
Residency:
University of Florida College of Medicine
Fellowship:
Sports Medicine and Adult Reconstructive Surgery, University of Texas San Antonio
Board Certification:
American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Professional Memberships:
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
North Carolina Medical Society
New Hanover/Pender County Medical Society
Southern Orthopedic Association


Craig N. Lippe, MD

Dr. Lippe is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacements of the hip and knee. Fellowship-trained in adult reconstructive surgery, he performs total and partial joint replacements, as well as hip and knee revisions. He also performs minimally invasive surgery and computer-assisted techniques. Dr. Lippe is a racing enthusiast and spends his free time driving and building cars in BMW Club Racing. He is married and has four children.

Education:
B.S., Neuroscience, University of Vermont;
University of Pittsburgh MD,
Jefferson Medical College
Residency:
Hamot Medical Center
Fellowship:
Adult Reconstruction, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Board Certification:
American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Professional Memberships:
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
North Carolina Medical Society
New Hanover/Pender County Medical Society
Southern Orthopedic Association


Chad M Fortun, MD

Chad M Fortun, MD is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon who provides comprehensive orthopaedic care from non-operative orthopaedic injuries to cutting edge joint replacement and minimally invasive surgery. Having spent an additional year of training in sports medicine, he enjoys taking care of athletes of all levels and ages and specializes in minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, hip, knee and ankle to optimize his patients’ level of function with less pain and a faster recovery. Additionally, Dr. Fortun brings specialized training and interest in hip preservation surgery through the use of surgical hip dislocation and hip arthroscopy.

Prior to attending medical school Dr. Fortun practiced as a licensed physical therapist. He believes that this experience provides him with a unique perspective in treating patients with non-operative conditions and understanding the post-operative needs of his surgical patients. After moving on from a successful physical therapy practice Dr. Fortun attended the prestigious Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He earned numerous accolades and scholarships, filled leadership and service roles and graduated in the top of his class. He was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.

After graduation, Dr. Fortun continued his education completing his orthopaedic surgery residency at Case Western Reserve University. He trained with world-renowned experts and published multiple articles in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. He received various awards for his research and his work was presented at numerous national and international conferences. While at Case Western, the hospital provided coverage for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns as well as many high school and college athletes.

Dr. Fortun completed an additional year of specialized training in sports medicine, arthroscopy and reconstructive surgery at the world renowned Southern California Orthopedic Institute (SCOI). He continued to be involved in research, publishing book chapters focusing on hip arthroscopy and articles on shoulder instability and rotator cuff repair. Working with athletes at all levels, he covered local high schools and colleges and cared for professional athletes in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and PGA.

Dr. Fortun, his wife Kate, and their two children are excited to settle in Wilmington. In addition to spending time with his family, Dr. Fortun enjoys traveling, church, golf, basketball, skiing/snowboarding, volleyball and following both collegiate and professional athletics.

Click here to view Dr. Fortun's Curricumlum Vitae

Click Here to View Selected Publications



Physician Assistants:



T. Shawn Fitzgerald, PA-C

Shawn was Dr. Esposito's physician assistant from 2002-2013. He became Dr. Messina's Physician's Assistant upon Dr. Esposito's retirement in January 2014. In addition to working in the Wilmington location, he sees patients at the Whiteville satellite office. In his leisure time, Shawn enjoys water sports and competes in triathlons. He and his wife, Kerry, have three children.

Education:
B.A., Sports Medicine, Catawba College
B.S., Physician Assistant Studies, Marywood University

Professional Memberships:
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants
Coastal Cape Fear Orthopedic Society
North Carolina Medical Society
New Hanover-Pender County Medical Society
Honors:
Catawba College Athletic Training Hall of Fame – 2016

Curriculum Vitae



Christopher J. Lariviere, PA-C

Chris joined the staff of Carolina Sports Medicine in 2007 and works as Dr. Lippe's physician assistant. He sees patients in Wilmington and at the Whiteville satellite location. Chris enjoys fishing in his spare time. He and his wife, Debbie, have three children.

B.S., Sports Medicine, Bridgewater State University
B.S., Physician Assistant Studies, South University
Professional Memberships:
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
North Carolina Medical Society
New Hanover-Pender County Medical Society