Orthopedic surgery is rapidly evolving as robotic-assisted procedures, regenerative medicine, biologics and minimally invasive techniques reshape musculoskeletal care across the country. At the same time, orthopedic leaders are driving advances in research, surgical innovation, physician education and diversity efforts that are helping define the future of the specialty.
The following 10 orthopedic surgeons stand out for their clinical expertise, academic leadership and contributions to advancing orthopedic care across the Eastern U.S.
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, contact seydis@beckershealthcare.com.
- Bryan Kelly, MD. Hospital for Special Surgery (New York City): Dr. Kelly is president and CEO of Hospital for Special Surgery and surgeon-in-chief emeritus, and is nationally recognized for his expertise in sports medicine and hip preservation surgery.
A leader in arthroscopic and open surgical treatment of complex hip disorders, he has served as head team physician for the NHL’s New York Rangers and orthopedic consultant for UFC. Dr. Kelly has authored more than 140 scientific publications and is widely respected for advancing hip preservation techniques, clinical outcomes research and innovation in orthopedic sports medicine.
- Joseph Zuckerman, MD. NYU Langone Health (New York City): Dr. Zuckerman is chair of the department of orthopedic surgery at NYU Langone Health and the Walter A. L. Thompson professor of orthopedic surgery at NYU School of Medicine. An internationally recognized expert in shoulder surgery and hip and knee replacement, he is also widely respected for his leadership in orthopedic education and research, having trained hundreds of residents and authored more than 400 scientific articles and 16 textbooks.
Dr. Zuckerman is a former president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and has received numerous honors for his contributions to orthopedic surgery, education and clinical research.
- William Levine, MD. Columbia University Irving Medical Center (New York City): Dr. Levine is chair of the department of orthopedic surgery at Columbia University and chief of orthopedic surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.
An internationally recognized expert in shoulder, elbow and sports medicine surgery, he has served as head team physician for Columbia athletics and consultant to organizations including the NFL and NHL Players’ Association. Dr. Levine has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications, edited 11 textbooks and is widely respected for his leadership in orthopedic education, sports medicine research and shoulder surgery innovation.
- Lisa Lattanza, MD. Yale School of Medicine (New Haven, Conn.): Dr. Lattanza is chair of orthopedics and rehabilitation at Yale School of Medicine and a nationally recognized expert in pediatric hand, upper extremity and deformity reconstruction surgery.
A pioneer in patient-specific 3D surgical planning, she helped lead the world’s first elbow-to-elbow transplant and has advanced innovative approaches for complex pediatric deformity correction. Dr. Lattanza is also widely respected for her leadership in orthopedic diversity initiatives, having co-founded the Perry Initiative to increase the number of women pursuing orthopedic surgery and engineering careers.
- Cato Laurencin, MD, PhD. University of Connecticut (Farmington, Conn.): Dr. Laurencin is a pioneering orthopedic surgeon, engineer and regenerative medicine researcher who serves as University Professor and distinguished professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Connecticut.
Internationally recognized for founding the field of regenerative engineering, he has driven advances in biomaterials, stem cell technology and tissue regeneration while maintaining an active sports medicine and shoulder surgery practice. Dr. Laurencin is the first surgeon elected to the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Medicine and National Academy of Inventors, and he received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement.
- Jess Lonner, MD. Rothman Orthopaedics (Philadelphia): Dr. Lonner is a nationally recognized orthopedic surgeon specializing in partial and total knee replacement surgery and is considered one of the highest-volume providers of unicompartmental, patellofemoral and total knee replacements worldwide.
A pioneer in robotic-assisted knee replacement, he was among the first surgeons in the U.S. to introduce robotic techniques for joint replacement surgery and has helped develop multiple implant systems and robotic technologies used in orthopedics today. Dr. Lonner has authored more than 250 scientific publications and textbooks and is widely respected for advancing robotic knee replacement, outpatient joint surgery and perioperative care optimization.
- Leesa Galatz, MD. Mount Sinai Health System (New York City): Dr. Galatz is chair of the Leni and Peter May Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and an internationally recognized expert in shoulder and elbow surgery.
Specializing in sports medicine, rotator cuff disorders and joint replacement, she is widely known for her NIH-funded research on rotator cuff disease, tendon healing and tissue engineering strategies for tendon repair. Dr. Galatz has received numerous national honors for her research and leadership, including the Orthopaedic Research Society’s Women’s Leadership Forum Award, and is respected for advancing both orthopedic science and clinical care.
- Kirk Campbell, MD. NYU Langone Health: Dr. Campbell is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, cartilage restoration and shoulder surgery, with expertise in advanced arthroscopic and minimally invasive procedures.
A fellowship-trained sports medicine specialist, he has cared for athletes ranging from elite competitors to recreational patients and previously served as an assistant team physician for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox. Dr. Campbell is also recognized for his research in cartilage restoration, stem cells, meniscal transplantation and ACL reconstruction, helping advance biologic and regenerative approaches in orthopedic sports medicine.
- A. Bobby Chhabra, MD. UVA Health (Charlottesville, Va.): Dr. Chhabra is chair of the department of orthopedic surgery at UVA Health and director of the UVA Health Orthopaedic Center, where he specializes in hand, wrist and elbow surgery with expertise in sports injuries, trauma and arthritis care.
A nationally recognized orthopedic educator and leader, he currently serves as president of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Chhabra has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and is widely respected for advancing orthopedic education, mentorship and comprehensive musculoskeletal care.
- Kristy Weber, MD. Penn Medicine (Philadelphia): Dr. Weber is an internationally recognized orthopedic oncologist and former president of the AAOS, where she became the first woman to lead the organization.
A leader in musculoskeletal oncology, she has built nationally recognized sarcoma programs at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins and Penn Medicine and earned distinction for her clinical research and multidisciplinary cancer care. Dr. Weber recently became the first woman to receive the AAOS William W. Tipton Jr., MD Leadership Award and is widely respected for advancing orthopedic leadership, diversity, mentorship and women in medicine.
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