Kendra D. Lastowka, M.D.

Dr. Kendra Lastowka, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon with experience diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments. Long before she picked up a scalpel, though, she was at the bedside — working as a Certified Nursing Assistant caring for patients with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, traumatic brain injury, and mobility impairments. That early, hands-on experience shaped the way she practices medicine today: with patience, empathy, and a genuine interest in the person behind the diagnosis. She offers both surgical and non-surgical care, working with patients to help them recover from injury, manage chronic conditions, and get back to the activities that matter most to them.

Dr. Lastowka earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, graduating Summa Cum Laude as a Commonwealth Honors College Scholar. She completed her medical degree at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society — an honor reserved for students who exemplify compassionate, patient-centered care. From there, she completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, followed by a fellowship in Orthopedic Spine Surgery at the University of Colorado Anschutz Campus in Aurora. Her training has taken her between Boston and Aurora, giving her the chance to learn from — and serve — patients across very different communities.

For Dr. Lastowka, orthopedic care isn't just about fixing what's broken — it's about restoring the everyday moments that matter to people: playing with grandkids, getting back on the trail, or simply moving through the day without pain. That belief shows up in her research, too, including work on making complex spine surgery safer for elderly patients and improving surgical techniques for lumbar fusion. It also shows up outside the operating room — from being actively involved in volunteer service activities over the years. Whatever the setting, Dr. Lastowka brings the same mix of scientific rigor and genuine care, building personalized treatment plans centered on each patient's own goals for recovery.