Orthopedic surgery continues to evolve through advances in sports medicine, joint replacement, trauma, pediatric orthopedics, limb reconstruction and upper extremity care. Across the country, leading orthopedic surgeons are driving those advances through groundbreaking research, innovative surgical techniques, education and leadership at some of the nation’s top institutions.
The following 15 orthopedic surgeons are helping shape the future of musculoskeletal care through their clinical expertise, scientific contributions and commitment to advancing the field.
Editor’s note: This is not a comprehensive or ranked list. Becker’s does not endorse any individual featured. To nominate a physician for a future list, please contact Sophie Eydis at seydis@beckershealthcare.com.
- S. Robert Rozbruch, MD. Hospital for Special Surgery (New York City): Dr. Rozbruch is founder and chief emeritus of the Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service at Hospital for Special Surgery, president of New York Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Surgery and director of the Osseointegration Limb Replacement Center. He specializes in adult and pediatric limb lengthening, limb deformity correction, osseointegration, complex reconstruction and limb salvage.
A pioneer in limb reconstruction, Dr. Rozbruch has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters and edited two leading textbooks on limb lengthening and reconstruction. He is a past president of the Limb Lengthening & Reconstruction Society of North America and continues to advance the field through research, education and innovation in complex orthopedic reconstruction.
- Paul Sethi, MD. Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists (Greenwich, Conn.): Dr. Sethi is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in shoulder, elbow and knee conditions, with expertise in shoulder replacement, arthroscopic surgery and sports-related injuries. He serves as president of the ONS Foundation for Clinical Research and Education and is chief medical officer for the Premier Lacrosse League and Women’s Lacrosse League.
A nationally recognized clinician-scientist, Dr. Sethi has published extensively on shoulder and sports medicine in leading orthopedic journals and is an active leader in clinical research focused on non-opioid pain management, infection prevention and advances in tendon repair. He is a member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and has served as an orthopedic consultant and assistant team physician for MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as assistant team physician for the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles-based University of Southern California’s football team.
- Jocelyn Wittstein, MD. Duke University (Durham, N.C.): Dr. Wittstein is an associate professor of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine specialist at Duke University who cares for adolescent and adult athletes. She specializes in knee injuries, with particular expertise in patellofemoral instability, ACL injuries, meniscus preservation and return-to-sport care, and serves as a team physician for soccer, lacrosse and basketball programs.
A nationally recognized researcher, Dr. Wittstein has helped develop consensus recommendations for the management of patellofemoral instability and is a co-investigator on National Institutes of Health-funded research examining the biomechanical and biochemical factors that contribute to post-traumatic arthritis following ACL reconstruction and meniscus surgery.
- Anikar Chhabra, MD. Mayo Clinic Arizona (Phoenix): Dr. Chhabra is director of sports medicine and an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Mayo Clinic Arizona. A nationally recognized orthopedic sports medicine surgeon, he specializes in arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder, minimally invasive procedures and the treatment of complex knee injuries, including multiligament reconstructions, cartilage restoration, meniscal transplantation and osteotomies.
A leader in sports medicine, Dr. Chhabra serves as head orthopedic surgeon for Tempe-based Arizona State University and as an orthopedic consultant for MLB umpires. He has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and 15 book chapters and is widely recognized for his contributions to orthopedic education, research and the care of athletes at all levels.
- Peter Chalmers, MD. University of Utah Health (Salt Lake City): Dr. Chalmers is vice chair of faculty affairs for the University of Utah Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and a shoulder and elbow specialist who treats conditions ranging from sports injuries to advanced shoulder arthritis. His practice includes minimally invasive arthroscopy, ligament and tendon repair, shoulder replacement and complex reconstructive procedures, and he serves as team physician for the MLB’s Salt Lake City Bees and the University of Utah baseball team.
A nationally recognized clinician-scientist, Dr. Chalmers has received multiple teaching and research awards and is widely published on shoulder and elbow surgery. He is committed to advancing evidence-based care while educating the next generation of orthopedic surgeons.
- Anna Cohen-Rosenblum, MD. NYU Langone Health (New York City): Dr. Cohen-Rosenblum is an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of patient-reported outcomes research. She specializes in primary and revision hip and knee replacement, treating patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis and complex joint reconstruction.
A nationally recognized leader in adult reconstruction, Dr. Cohen-Rosenblum serves as deputy editor-in-chief of Arthroplasty Today and is a former Health Policy Fellow for the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. She also co-edited Evaluation and Management of Hip and Knee Arthritis in Women, helping advance research and care for women with joint disease.
- Joseph Abboud, MD. Rothman Orthopaedics (Philadelphia): Dr. Abboud is a professor of orthopedic surgery at Philadelphia-based Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and an internationally recognized shoulder and elbow surgeon. He recently completed a four-year term as senior vice president of clinical affairs at Rothman Orthopaedics, where he helped lead the organization’s clinical growth while maintaining a practice focused on arthroscopic shoulder and elbow surgery, fracture care and joint replacement.
A leader in shoulder and elbow research and education, Dr. Abboud has delivered more than 500 national and international lectures and authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and several textbooks. His research, supported by the Department of Defense and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, focuses on rotator cuff healing, tendon biology and biologic strategies to improve surgical outcomes.
- Jennifer Weiss, MD. Shriners Children’s Hawaii (Honolulu): Dr. Weiss is chief of staff at Shriners Children’s Hawaii and a nationally recognized pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in pediatric sports medicine, sports injuries and orthopedic trauma. Previously, she served as director of the Pediatric Sports Medicine Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she helped advance care for young athletes.
A respected leader in pediatric orthopedics, Dr. Weiss has delivered numerous national and international presentations and contributed extensively to orthopedic research and education. She serves as immediate past president of the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society and is a passionate advocate for mentorship, diversity and advancing opportunities for women in orthopedic surgery.
- Cassandra Lee, MD. University of California Davis Health (Sacramento): Dr. Lee is chief of the sports medicine service and a professor of orthopedics at UC Davis Health. She specializes in shoulder and knee injuries, with a particular focus on cartilage restoration, knee joint preservation and the treatment of athletes. She serves as team physician for the UC Davis Aggies football team and the USL Champion’s Sacramento Republic FC.
A nationally recognized clinician-scientist, Dr. Lee’s research focuses on cartilage regeneration and post-traumatic osteoarthritis, including NIH-funded studies aimed at preventing joint degeneration after injury. She is also an accomplished educator and mentor, having served as residency program director at UC Davis while helping train the next generation of orthopedic surgeons.
- Marc Rekant, MD. Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center: Dr. Rekant is a professor of orthopedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and a hand and upper extremity surgeon at the Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center. He specializes in the treatment of complex conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder, caring for both everyday patients and athletes with upper extremity injuries.
A nationally recognized leader in hand surgery, Dr. Rekant has published numerous peer-reviewed studies and has lectured extensively at national and international meetings. He has held multiple leadership roles within the American Association for Hand Surgery, including treasurer-elect, and has also served in leadership positions with the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
- E. Lyle Cain Jr., MD. Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center (Birmingham, Ala.): Dr. Cain is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in arthroscopic treatment of shoulder, elbow and knee injuries, with expertise in cartilage restoration, meniscal transplantation and ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. He is a co-founder of Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center and serves as team physician for the Tuscaloosa-based University of Alabama and medical director for several collegiate athletic programs.
A nationally recognized leader in sports medicine, Dr. Cain serves on the boards of directors of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the American Sports Medicine Institute. His research focuses on injury prevention in youth athletes, biologic therapies, cartilage restoration and the treatment of elbow injuries in baseball players. He has lectured extensively on sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery around the world.
- Julius Bishop, MD. Stanford Medicine (Palo Alto, Calif.): Dr. Bishop is an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Stanford Medicine and an orthopedic trauma surgeon specializing in complex fractures of the upper and lower extremities, pelvis and acetabulum, as well as post-traumatic reconstruction for malunion, nonunion and infection.
A nationally recognized researcher and educator, Dr. Bishop’s work focuses on fracture healing, orthopedic biomechanics, clinical outcomes after musculoskeletal injury and innovative approaches to fracture surgery. He has received numerous national research and teaching honors and is a member of Stanford’s Bio-X and Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance.
- Alejandro Badia, MD. Badia Hand to Shoulder Center (Doral, Fla.): Dr. Badia is an internationally recognized hand and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon and founder of the Badia Hand to Shoulder Center. He specializes in disorders of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder, with expertise in minimally invasive upper extremity surgery and arthroscopy.
A pioneer in orthopedic innovation and education, Dr. Badia co-founded the Miami Anatomical Research Center, one of the world’s largest surgical cadaver training facilities, and founded OrthoNOW, one of the nation’s first orthopedic urgent care networks. He also directs an international hand fellowship, serves on the editorial boards of leading hand surgery journals and has helped advance minimally invasive technologies through the American Hand Institute.
- Nicole Schroeder, MD. University of California San Francisco Health: Dr. Schroeder is chief of the hand, elbow and upper extremity service and a clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at UCSF. She specializes in traumatic injuries and disorders of the hand and upper extremity, including fractures, tendon and ligament injuries, nerve disorders, arthritis, Dupuytren’s contracture and complex reconstructive surgery.
A nationally recognized orthopedic educator, Dr. Schroeder serves as associate vice chair of education for the UCSF department of orthopedic surgery and director of orthopedic electives for the UCSF School of Medicine. She has received numerous teaching honors, including the UCSF Excellence in Teaching Award and the Henry J. Kaiser Award for Excellence in Teaching. She also serves on the Resident Education Committee of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
- Savyasachi “Savya” Thakkar, MD. Johns Hopkins Medicine (Baltimore): Dr. Thakkar is an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Johns Hopkins and chair of orthopedic surgery at Johns Hopkins Howard County (Md.) Medical Center. He specializes in minimally invasive, robotic-assisted and outpatient hip and knee replacement, as well as complex revision joint reconstruction.
A leader in orthopedic innovation, Dr. Thakkar’s research focuses on technological advances in joint replacement, post-traumatic arthritis, same-day joint replacement and optimizing care pathways for patients with hip and knee arthritis. He is recognized for advancing computer-assisted and robotic techniques that improve outcomes and accelerate recovery after joint replacement surgery.
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