Orthopedic surgeons across the U.S. are advancing the specialty through clinical innovation, research, education and leadership across a wide range of subspecialties.
The 20 surgeons featured below represent academic medical centers, health systems and independent practices, with expertise spanning orthopedic trauma, sports medicine, joint replacement, hand and upper extremity surgery, pediatrics and more.
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.
- Michael Archdeacon, MD. University of Cincinnati College of Medicine: Dr. Archdeacon is chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and an orthopedic trauma surgeon specializing in complex fractures and fractures of the pelvis and acetabulum. He has surgically treated more than 1,600 patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures.
Dr. Archdeacon has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and has served as a visiting professor at 35 institutions nationally and internationally. He also serves as CEO of University of Cincinnati Physicians, senior associate dean for clinical affairs and president-elect of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.
- Elizabeth Arendt, MD. University of Minnesota (Minneapolis): Dr. Arendt is a professor and vice chair of orthopedic surgery specializing in adult and pediatric sports medicine. Her clinical practice focuses on joint, cartilage and ligament injuries, including repair and replacement, with particular expertise in conditions affecting the kneecap.
Dr. Arendt’s research focuses on ACL injuries, particularly among women, as well as patellar dislocation, joint instability, knee arthritis and knee deformity. She also serves as a faculty adviser to medical students at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
- Lattisha Bilbrew, MD. Resurgens Orthopaedics (Atlanta): Dr. Bilbrew is an orthopedic hand surgeon who performs more than 200 surgeries annually. Her work extends beyond clinical care to health equity, physician well-being and addressing bias in medicine.
Dr. Bilbrew serves in national leadership roles with United Musculoskeletal Partners and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, with work spanning physician safety, advocacy and healthcare transformation. She is also the author of “Yes, I Am the Surgeon” and founded Inspiring Tomorrow’s Healers Today, a nonprofit focused on expanding pathways for women and minorities in orthopedics.
- Lorraine Boakye, MD. Penn Medicine (Philadelphia): Dr. Boakye is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in operative and nonoperative treatment of foot and ankle conditions in adolescents and adults. Her expertise includes minimally invasive surgery, arthroscopy, deformity correction, complex fracture care and total ankle replacement.
Dr. Boakye’s research spans Achilles tendon conditions, foot and ankle trauma, sports injuries, patient-reported outcomes and sustainability in medicine. She has published numerous articles, abstracts and book chapters and received the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society’s Courage Award in 2023.
- Michelle Caird, MD. Michigan Medicine (Ann Arbor): Dr. Caird is chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. She treats fractures, spinal deformity, limb differences, clubfoot and complex hip conditions, with particular expertise in children with osteogenesis imperfecta, spina bifida and cerebral palsy.
Dr. Caird’s research focuses on bone healing in pediatric orthopedic conditions. She also serves on the board of directors of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and is a professor of orthopedic surgery at the Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan.
- Alexis Colvin, MD. Mount Sinai (New York City): Dr. Colvin is a professor of orthopedic surgery specializing in sports medicine and shoulder and knee disorders. She uses surgical and biologic treatments, including platelet-rich plasma, and serves as chief medical officer for the US Open tennis tournament and team physician for the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team.
Dr. Colvin has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and lectured internationally. She also serves on the Women’s Tennis Association’s Women’s Health Taskforce and the board of Let Her Play, an organization focused on expanding girls’ participation in sports.
- A. Rashard Dacus, MD. UVA Health (Charlottesville, Va.): Dr. Dacus is division head of the Hand and Upper Extremity Service and vice chair of community and wellness. His practice includes hand and elbow joint replacement, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and microvascular surgery of the hand and upper extremity.
Dr. Dacus’ research includes carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome and the role of EMG findings in treatment and outcomes. He previously served as orthopedic surgery residency program director and continues to serve as an assistant team physician for Harrisonburg, Va.-based James Madison University athletics.
- Karan Dua, MD. Columbia University Irving Medical Center (New York City): Dr. Dua is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand, shoulder, elbow and upper extremity surgery. His expertise includes complex shoulder reconstruction, arthroscopic and minimally invasive nerve decompression, tendon transfers and surgery for scapular winging.
Dr. Dua’s research focuses on upper extremity reconstruction, peripheral nerve surgery and novel surgical techniques. He has received multiple research grants, published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and contributed chapters to orthopedic surgery textbooks.
- Charles Gottlob, MD. Panorama Orthopedic and Spine Center (Golden, Colo.): Dr. Gottlob is president of Panorama Orthopedic and Spine Center and an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, arthroscopy and reconstructive surgery of the knee and shoulder. He has performed thousands of total shoulder replacements throughout his career.
Dr. Gottlob serves as co-director of Panorama’s sports medicine fellowship and as a team physician for the University of Denver and Golden-based Colorado School of Mines. He also serves on the boards of Lakewood-based OrthoColorado Hospital and United Musculoskeletal Partners and has previously worked with several professional sports organizations.
- Laith Jazrawi, MD. NYU Langone Health (New York City): Dr. Jazrawi is chief of sports medicine and director of the sports medicine fellowship program at NYU Langone. His practice focuses on minimally invasive treatment of shoulder, elbow and knee conditions and joint preservation techniques, including cartilage and meniscus restoration.
Dr. Jazrawi’s research focuses on advanced arthroscopic techniques, cartilage repair, running injuries and athletic performance. He is the Neil B. Hamburger Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and serves as a team physician for NYU and Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Long Island University athletics.
- Michael Knudsen, MD. Columbia University Irving Medical Center (New York City): Dr. Knudsen is an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery and shoulder and elbow surgeon specializing in complex shoulder reconstruction, shoulder arthroplasty, instability and sports-related shoulder and elbow injuries.
Dr. Knudsen has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications spanning shoulder reconstruction and professional baseball injuries. He serves as section head of JBJS Clinical Classroom–Shoulder & Elbow and holds education roles with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. He also serves as faculty for national shoulder arthroplasty and revision courses.
- Francis Lee, MD, PhD. Yale Medicine (New Haven, Conn.): Dr. Lee is an orthopedic surgeon and professor specializing in musculoskeletal oncology and complex reconstruction for adults and children. He pioneered a minimally invasive technique called Ablation-Osteoplasty-Reinforcement-Internal Fixation, also known as AORIF, to treat patients with cancer that has spread to bone.
Dr. Lee’s research focuses on fracture healing, bone metastasis and musculoskeletal tumors. He serves as president of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society and is a board member of the International Society of Limb Salvage.
- Eric McCarty, MD. University of Colorado School of Medicine (Aurora): Dr. McCarty is chief of sports medicine and shoulder surgery and a professor of orthopedics. He specializes in sports medicine and knee and shoulder surgery and serves as head team physician for University of Colorado athletics. He previously served as head team physician for the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club.
Dr. McCarty has authored more than 350 sports medicine publications and helped found the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network. He has received multiple national research awards and previously served as president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
- Anthony Miniaci, MD. Baptist Health Orthopedic Care (Coral Gables, Fla.): Dr. Miniaci is deputy chief medical executive of Baptist Health Orthopedic Care and an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. He has treated professional, Olympic and collegiate athletes and previously served as head team physician for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and an orthopedic consultant to the MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays.
Dr. Miniaci has developed bone-preserving, minimally invasive surgical techniques and improved shoulder implant designs. His innovations include an ovoid-shaped shoulder implant designed to more closely replicate natural anatomy and improve range of motion and function after shoulder replacement.
- Saam Morshed, MD, PhD. UC San Francisco Health: Dr. Morshed is chief of orthopedic trauma at UCSF and specializes in traumatic skeletal injuries. His clinical and research interests include acute injuries and complications of trauma recovery, particularly infections and fracture nonunions.
Dr. Morshed is the Lowenberg Family Endowed Professor in Orthopedic Trauma Reconstruction and surgical director of UCSF Mount Zion Hospital in San Francisco. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts and more than 10 textbook chapters, and has received numerous awards and grants for clinical outcomes research in orthopedics and traumatology.
- Kelechi Okoroha, MD. UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas): Dr. Okoroha is chief of sports medicine and an associate professor of orthopedic surgery specializing in sports medicine, hip preservation and complex shoulder surgery. He also serves as the lead team physician for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.
Dr. Okoroha has authored more than 170 peer-reviewed publications, with research focusing on return-to-sport outcomes, injury prevention and postoperative pain management. Before joining UT Southwestern in 2025, he served as head team physician for the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx and as an associate professor at Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic.
- Michael Parks, MD. Hospital for Special Surgery (New York City): Dr. Parks is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee reconstruction for adults with arthritis and a professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at New York City-based Weill Cornell Medical College. His research focuses on joint replacement, biomechanical implant retrievals and disparities in arthritis care related to race, ethnicity and gender.
Dr. Parks serves as immediate past president of the New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons and on the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation board. He has also held board roles with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.
- Mark Rieger, MD. The Pediatric Orthopedic Center (Cedar Knolls, N.J.): Dr. Rieger is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and founding partner of The Pediatric Orthopedic Center with nearly four decades of experience. He specializes in pediatric sports medicine, trauma, arthroscopy, scoliosis, clubfoot and hip disorders and has served as chief of pediatric orthopedics at Morristown (N.J.) Medical Center.
Dr. Rieger was the first pediatric orthopedist in New Jersey to perform endoscopic spine surgery and hip ultrasound and to become certified in the Ponseti clubfoot technique. He also serves as an assistant professor at New York City-based NYU Langone Medical Center, where he performs scoliosis surgery and helps educate the next generation of physicians.
- Carmen Quatman, MD, PhD. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Columbus): Dr. Quatman is an orthopedic trauma surgeon specializing in fracture care, with a particular focus on geriatric orthopedic trauma. She was one of two surgeons in the country to complete a geriatric orthopedic fellowship.
Dr. Quatman helped develop criteria for fellowship certification in geriatric orthopedic trauma care through the International Geriatric Fracture Society. She was also selected for the National Institute on Aging’s Butler-Williams Scholars Program and was part of a research team recognized by the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation for its work on knee injury prevention.
- Leslie Vidal, MD. The Steadman Clinic (Vail, Colo.): Dr. Vidal is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and arthroscopic treatment of complex shoulder, hip and knee conditions, with a particular emphasis on caring for female athletes. She was the first female orthopedic surgeon to join The Steadman Clinic.
Dr. Vidal has served as a team or consulting physician for organizations including the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. Her sports medicine expertise spans athletes across levels, with a focus on returning patients safely to their desired activities.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
