Rabah Qadir, MD, Kevin Smith, MD, Brian Chimenti, MD, Koijan Kainth, MD, Joyce Kim, MD, Jason Piefer, MD, Meena Shatby, MD, David W. Strausser, MD, Emily Sudek, MD
BY Melissa Gautier | photos by Karina Eremina of Joy of the Moment Photography
When it comes to choosing a highly experienced orthopedic specialist, the physicians and surgeons at The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre have all bases covered. From regenerative and ortho-biologic treatments to arthroscopic procedures, sports medicine, and pain management, their practice focuses on restoring and maintaining patients’ health and functionality.
The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre is one of the area’s longest-standing orthopedic practices, providing outstanding patient care and surgical expertise. The remarkable staff of 10 physicians pride themselves on treating patients like family. Since opening in 1985, they’ve been leaders in the ortho industry, welcoming patients of all ages and working closely with athletes.
Regenerative Medicine
Innovative, non-surgical options include platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP). A promising alternative to steroid injections, PRP uses a patient’s own blood platelets to speed recovery. Another option geared toward faster recovery is accurate and precise 3D-printedjoint implants.
Meet the Physicians
Rabah Qadir, MD
Dr. Qadir is a board certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic trauma surgeon specializing in musculoskeletal injuries. Dr. Qadir received his MD from Tulane University in New Orleans and trained under sports teams’ doctors. He completed an orthopedic trauma fellowship and his residency at
Boston University Medical Center and the Ochsner Clinic’s Shock Trauma Center. He served as vice chief and chief of orthopedics at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center from 2017-2024. Presently, he serves as director of the Outpatient Joint Replacement Program at Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Woodlands Parkway.
Kevin Smith, MD
Dr. Smith is a board certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert. Dr. Smith is a former athlete himself, specializing in minimally invasive and arthroscopic joint procedures. He received his MD from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and trained at the Sports Medicine and Shoulder-Elbow Fellowship Program at Stanford University. His residency was completed at Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas Medical Center. In 2025, Living readers voted Dr. Smith Best Orthopedic Surgeon.
Brian Chimenti, MD
Dr. Chimenti is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician. He’s a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and specializes in arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery. He earned his MD at Baylor College of Medicine Houston and finished his residency at the University of Colorado. Dr. Chimenti completed orthopedic and sports medicine training with team physicians at several universities and served as team physician at high schools for almost three decades.
Koijan Kainth, MD
Dr. Kainth is an experienced, dual board certified orthopedic surgeon and neurosurgeon. His expertise includes complex reconstructive and minimally invasive spine surgery, orthopedic spine surgery, and neurosurgery. He received his MD from Penn State University and completed residency training in neurosurgery at the University of Minnesota and Penn State University. Dr. Kainth obtained an orthopedic spine fellowship in Dallas.
Joyce Kim, MD
Dr. Kim is dual board certified in pain management and anesthesiology. Dr. Kim specializes in relieving back pain, neck pain, joint pain, headaches, abdominal and pelvic pain, and cancer-related pain. She attended medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and completed residency training in anesthesiology. She continued training in interventional pain management at the University of Texas MD Anderson fellowship program in Houston.
Jason Piefer, MD
Dr. Piefer is dual board certified in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. He specializes in arthroscopy, orthopedic trauma, and shoulder, knee, and hip joint replacement. He received his MD from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He completed an orthopedic residency at the University of Alabama, training under team physicians for several universities.
Dr. Piefer completed a sports medicine fellowship with United States ski team doctors at Taos Orthopaedic Institute. He was the orthopedic surgeon on the sidelines for numerous high school teams and football games. He’s held several leadership positions at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, including chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery and vice chief of staff from 2017-2024.
Munir Shah, MD
Dr. Shah is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician with fellowship training in managing upper extremity and hand problems. He specializes in treating musculoskeletal conditions including sports injuries, fractures, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. He obtained his MD from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Shah obtained specialty training in microsurgery and upper extremity surgery and is the only board certified hand surgeon in
Montgomery County.
Meena Shatby, MD
Dr. Shatby is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician with extensive training in sports medicine and trauma. He’s fellowship-trained in the management of lower extremities, focusing on knee, ankle, foot, and other sports injuries. Dr. Shatby earned his MD at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He completed an internship and residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. His fellowship training involved sports and knee disorders at Union Memorial Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bayview in Baltimore.
David W. Strausser, MD
Dr. Strausser is a board certified orthopedic surgeon focusing on cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions. He earned his MD at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he also finished his residency in orthopedic surgery. He completed a fellowship in spine surgery at Texas Back Institute in Plano. Dr. Strausser treats patients of all ages. He strives for conservative treatments before surgery, open communication, and quick recovery times.
Emily Sudek, MD
Dr. Sudek is a board certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist, focused on addressing a wide array of pain issues, from back and joint discomfort to nerve and cancer-related pain. Dr. Sudek’s advanced treatments include joint injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation. She earned her MD from the McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston. Following her residency in anesthesiology at SUNY Upstate in Syracuse, she served as chief resident, pursuing further specialization in pain management at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
