When Dr. Douglas Peterson returned to Beverly after 15 years in the military, he was looking to continue his career in orthopedic surgery close to home. What he found was a way to carry on the legacy of a practice that had been part of the North Shore since 1962.

Together with his wife, Dr. Stacy Peterson, Dr. Douglas Peterson now leads the North Shore Center for Orthopedic Surgery, providing specialized orthopedic care with a strong emphasis on sports medicine.

“We take a team-based approach to orthopedic care,” says Dr. Peterson. “That means patients benefit from a full range of services—clinical, surgical, and rehabilitative—in one coordinated system. But sports medicine is our specialty. Helping people return to the sports or activities they love is what drives our work every day.”

Dr. Peterson is a Beverly native and a graduate of Beverly High School. After completing his undergraduate degree at UMass Lowell, he went on to earn his medical degree from the University of New England. He trained in orthopedic surgery through the Army and Navy, completing his residency at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, and later a prestigious sports medicine fellowship at Harvard/Massachusetts General Hospital. During his fellowship, he served as a team physician for the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, and several collegiate teams, giving him firsthand experience in high-performance injury treatment and prevention.

His career also includes deployments to Indonesia and Afghanistan, where he provided orthopedic care to military personnel and civilians. “Those years gave me a deep appreciation for teamwork and resilience—qualities that translate directly to how we treat our patients,” he explains.

The North Shore Center for Orthopedic Surgery is known for its comprehensive approach to musculoskeletal care. While sports medicine is a primary focus, the practice also provides treatment for general orthopedic conditions, joint replacement, and trauma.

“Our patients range from student athletes to older adults with joint pain,” Dr. Peterson says. “Sports medicine isn’t just for elite athletes. It’s for anyone who’s active and wants to stay that way.”

Common conditions treated include knee and shoulder injuries, ligament tears, cartilage damage, and overuse injuries. The team offers both surgical and non-surgical options, including arthroscopic procedures and advanced physical therapy.

The practice includes two primary providers, Dr. Peterson and Dr. Rafael Kakazu, both fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons with strong backgrounds in sports medicine and joint reconstruction. Their combined experience brings depth to the practice’s capabilities, and each shares a commitment to personalized care.

Dr. Kakazu brings a research-based, modern perspective to sports medicine, having authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and worked with both college and professional teams. His focus on innovative surgical approaches and joint preservation complements Dr. Peterson’s extensive history in high-level athletic care.

The office also includes Dr. David St. Pierre, who now sees patients on a limited basis for office visits and clinical evaluation. His years of experience treating athletes and orthopedic patients add continuity and institutional legacy to the practice.

On-site services include physical therapy through Peterson Sports Therapy, led by longtime physical therapist Michael Lovett. From cervical traction to ultrasound and therapeutic exercise, the clinic supports recovery at every stage.

“Our rehab program is designed around the individual,” says Dr. Peterson. “We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every patient has different goals, and we respect that.”

For the Petersons, running the practice is both a professional and personal investment.

“We live in the community, our kids go to school here, and we see our patients around town,” says Dr. Stacy Peterson. “It’s important to us that people feel comfortable coming here for care.”

That local connection is part of what keeps them committed to high standards. Whether it’s a student athlete recovering from a knee injury or an older adult preparing for a hip replacement, the team provides care that’s rooted in experience and focused on outcomes.

“We’re proud to continue the legacy of Dr. Duff, who founded this practice over sixty years ago,” says Dr. Peterson. “He called himself a family doctor of orthopedics, and that’s how we still think about what we do. We’re here to support people throughout their lives—not just when they’re injured, but as they get back to doing what they enjoy.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment:
 nscos.com
 4 State Road, Danvers, MA 01923
 (978) 774-3400