Dr. Nick Halikis & Dr. Todd Shrader

For two of the Peninsula’s most well respected orthopedic surgeons, their Palos Verdes roots run deep and their lifelong mission of healing and helping, remains steadfast and strong.
Dr. Nicholas Halikis & Dr. Todd Shrader, both PV born and bred, are childhood friends and partners at Coastal Orthopedics, one of the most well established orthopedic practices in the Los Angeles area.
Both of their fathers were proud South Bay physicians and both men are proud of what they learned from their dads and the passion that they share for the work they do every day. Coastal Ortho recently moved to its brand new state of the art facility in Torrance but this orthopedic practice has been healing neighbors from all over the south bay since the 1970’s.
“Nick and I both grew up in PV. Our fathers were both physicians at the same time, when the South Bay was really just starting out and we were really young,” explains Dr. Shrader. “They were both very much pillars in their specialties. Highly regarded in the very personal way they took care of people and it’s what made them popular with patients. I think it’s exactly what makes us popular too. We really aim to return every one of our patients back to full health,” Dr. Shrader says sincerely.
Living a healthy South Bay lifestyle is a core belief both men share and practice. Both are lifelong surfers and while Dr. Halikis loves a game of basketball, Dr. Shrader is often seen biking and jogging around the Peninsula, just as he’s done his whole life.
“Nick and I have known each other our whole lives. I’m younger. He was always the upperclassman and he, of course, wouldn’t talk to me on the street,” Dr. Shrader laughs. “But still, we were friends.” The two knew each other from growing up in Malaga Cove. While Dr. Halikis graduated from Palos Verdes High School and Dr. Shrader graduated from Rolling Hills High, both men attended Malaga Cove Intermediate. “With our shared background, interest in sports and both of our fathers who instilled strong ethical guides, it was a natural union for our medical practices,” says Dr. Halikis.

    Their former teacher and coach, Larry Larson, remembers both boys.“I had them when they were in 6th grade back in the 1970’s.” He says both were excellent students and athletes.“We used to have field day at Malaga Cove, where each 6th grade class would compete against each other. It was great competition and they were just great athletes. I knew them all because, of course, I was their teacher and their coach.”
Today, Larson is their patient. “It’s funny because Todd did my knee replacement and Nick did my hand, my carpal tunnel.” Larson recalls.
Dr. Halikis is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with certified specialization in hand and upper extremity surgery. He is also an accomplished musician and guitarist who especially enjoys treating fellow musicians with hand and upper extremity conditions. Dr. Halikis credits Mr. Kermit Welch, his teacher from Montemalaga Elementary School, with instilling discipline and respect and a sense of creativity in him from an early age. “I play guitar and it was Mr. Welch who introduced me and many other students to music through the Ukulele.  I was put in his class because my energy level was extremely high and my parents, along with Montemalaga Elementary School Principal Tom Quayle, felt I needed a tough teacher who could keep me in line. When I misbehaved, Mr. Welch would have me sit and write 100 times ‘I will mind my teacher’ or go to Mr. Quayle’s office for disciplinary action. Well, I learned my lesson and with all the schooling ahead of me I developed a great reverence for teachers and professors,” says Dr. Halikis.
As importantly, Mr. Welch brought him to a sense of creativity. Dr. Halikis is a guitar player and it was Mr. Welch who first introduced him and many other students to music. Dr. Halikis explains that Mr. Welch wrote songs that the class learned to play and sing. “Favorites included the famous songs [at least to us students] “Woollybooger” and “Woozer”, the lyrics of which I still remember today,” He says. Mr. Welch’s influence provided Dr. Halikis what he calls a foundation for success. “I learned discipline, the importance of respect and they say medicine is both a science and art. Even as a surgeon, creativity is extremely useful,” says Dr. Halikis.
Dr. Shrader is a joint replacement specialist who also specializes in sports medicine.
Whether treating professional athletes or lifelong friends and former school teachers, Drs. Shrader and Halikis take the same consistent approach: every single patient deserves an individual treatment plan and the power to regain their lives.
Patients repeatedly say at a time in life when they’re hurting and scared and unsure of how to proceed, both doctors’ kind, empathetic, direct, and honest approach has been life altering. A testament to these two friends who are proudly carrying on a Palos Verdes medical legacy.

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