I am an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at New York Medical College, and I am privileged to serve as the CHIEF OF SPORTS MEDICINE AND ARTHROSCOPY at University Orthopedics, PC and Westchester Medical Center, where I am entrusted with the training of the next generation of Orthopedic Surgeons. My goal is to provide on this website information that's somewhat different from many other sites related to orthopedic medicine. I almost feel sorry for patients when they require surgery, and one of my goals is to avoid surgery when that's possible. The information on this site is for the most part, evidence-based. That means that I spend an awful lot of time reading and incorporating into my practice the scientific literature regarding state of the art treatments for shoulder, knee, elbow and ankle disorders. I want patients to understand that not all MRI findings require surgery ... there are frequently non-operative solutions and options. When surgery is necessary, though, I want to provide patients with a wealth of information to supplement what I have told them in the office, so they can make an informed decision. I believe a little professional etiquette can go a long way toward easing a patient's fears and making medical care more comfortable and help in encouraging two way communication. Patients are more comfortable when they're better informed, and I believe it's my duty to provide as much "evidence based" information as possible and help patients to thereby make informed choices about their health care. They deserve a caring, polite, and respectful professional, and I'm committed to that. I work primarily at Westchester Medical Center, the only Level I trauma center in the area. Our helicopters bring patients in from 100 miles away for emergency treatment. We are one of only a few hospitals in the region to routinely employ computer navigation on most joint replacements. Nearly every total knee replacement or unicompartmental replacement that I perform is completed through a "muscle-sparing approach." With a choice of multiple knee implants available we can usually suit the anatomic and other needs of each individual patient. We are also a major referral center for complex trauma, multi-ligament knee reconstructions, complex shoulder fractures, revision knee and shoulder surgery, and other procedures. For more routine outpatient (ambulatory) surgery, I also maintain privileges at the Fishkill Ambulatory Surgery Center, and I have an application pending for privileges at Hudson Valley Hospital Center. Westchester Medical Center is both an academic medical center and also the region’s primary Advanced Care and Level 1 Trauma Center. Westchester cares for more than 3.5 million people in the Hudson Valley region, northern New Jersey, and lower Connecticut. My practice focuses primarily on the treatment of Orthopedic disorders of the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle. As a Sports Medicine Orthopedist, I see many different patients in my office. From the little leaguers to the Level A college ball players and the weekend warriors ... you will all have my undivided attention and hopefully gain from my academic perspective, using the most relevant and timely evidence-based medicine. I perform a significant number of complex and "routine" reconstructions of the knee, shoulder, and elbow. As an academic surgeon, I am frequently on the forefront of surgical procedures I can offer to my patients. I perform many advanced arthroscopic shoulder and knee reconstructions; I also perform computer-navigated, "minimally invasive" knee replacements and a number of cartilage regeneration procedures each year. I am a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and the Westchester Medical Society. I have repeatedly been recognized by New York Magazine and Castle and Connolly as one of the "Best Sports Docs in New York."
MY PERSPECTIVE
I don't "force" information on patients to heighten their awareness (or fear) of a disease or medical condition -- quite the opposite. I am often asked to explain many of the finer points of various orthopedic issues, and I am asked to go into fairly significant detail -- regardless of whether the news is good, bad, or indifferent.
I think that a better educated patient will ultimately be a healthier patient. With most of the information we receive, we need to know the source and whether there's an underlying bias or motive behind it. We need to vet the source, and decide whether following advice or opinions is in our best interest. That is the basic premise of shared decision making.
WHERE I WORK
The Westchester trauma center responds to emergencies 24 hours a day and includes an Adult Trauma Center, a Pediatric Trauma Center, and a Burn Center. Our award-winning STAT flight team -- and our trauma and burn teams -- offer severely ill and injured patients their best possible chance for survival when seconds count -- as they often do! 
STAT Flight: Stabilization, Treatment And Transport Flight provides specialized critical care transport both in the air and on the ground. If you're miles away and need us, our team of helicopter pilots and flight nurses will bring you to us.
STAT Flight crews are always available for emergency response and inter-hospital patient transport. They fly two medically equipped medevac helicopters, and also operate ground-based mobile intensive care ambulances -- from both Valhalla and Orange County. Two helicopter teams -- including certified critical care flight nurses, veteran pilots, and experienced paramedics -- are based at Westchester Medical Center and in Orange County.
MY PRACTICE FOCUS
