DR. JOSEPH SERRA

TEAM PHYSICIAN, BENEFACTOR

Joseph Serra was born in 1931 in Detroit, Michigan, and spent the next 18 years in the Detroit area. He left Detroit to attend Albion College in Albion, Michigan (1947-1956), but returned to Detroit to attend Wayne State University College of Medicine and received his M.D. degree as an Orthopedic Surgeon in 1960.

Dr. Joe Serra began practicing as an orthopedic surgeon in Stockton in 1961, and was the co-founder of the Stockton Orthopedic Medical Group. Being a sports enthusiast, he became the team physician at Tokay High School (1976-1983) and then moved on to be the team orthopedic surgeon at the University of the Pacific (1983-1995).

Also during this time, Dr. Joe Serra served as the team orthopedic surgeon for the Stockton Ports (1981-1998) and was the Chief Minor League Orthopedic Surgeon for the Milwaukee Brewers Farm System (1986-1992). Joe stayed connected to the University of the Pacific as a founding Board Member of the P.A.F. (Pacific Athletic Foundation) and served as an Adjunct Professor in the Doctorate Physical Therapy program, teaching orthopedics for physical therapy.

Dr. Joe Serra remained very active in the Stockton community as he was the President and past President of the Stockton Rotary Club and was the past District Governor of District 5220. In addition, Joe was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Joaquin Medical Society, was a former Board Member of United Way, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, the P.A.F., the Stockton Civic Theater, and served as the Torch Bearer in the Salt Lake City Olympics.

In 1987, Dr. Joseph Serra was named Stocktonian of the Year.

Joe retired as a practicing orthopedic surgeon in 2002, but he remained active as a volunteer orthopedic surgeon to Health Volunteers overseas to Walawi, Africa, and has traveled there at least ten times doing orthopedic teaching, surgery, and care. A truly outstanding career!