It is an exciting time for orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, as faculty and staff have been working together to move the department forward.

To reach more patients, the department launched an initiative to meet community primary care physicians and discuss the spectrum of care the department offers. These collaborative interactions led to the establishment of a direct call line to make scheduling more efficient. In addition, a multidisciplinary effort has begun to reduce patient wait times and enhance the overall experience. This is key, as patient safety and quality improvement remain top priorities.

MEDICAL OFFERINGS

The department of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation features an array of specialties, such as trauma surgery, sports medicine, general orthopaedics, and hand and upper extremity. At UF Health North, sports medicine physicians offer platelet-rich plasma injections as a regenerative treatment option. These injections use a patient’s own platelets to stimulate and accelerate the healing process.

The department’s foot and ankle division encompasses the disciplines of forefoot surgery, rearfoot reconstruction and limb salvage. The Vertical Foot Alignment System, or VFAS, is now in use at UF Health Emerson Medical Plaza, where personnel provide high-quality orthotic devices to ease pain and improve biomechanical function during ambulation. VFAS allows for orthotics to be manufactured and dispensed during a single office visit. This is a tremendous benefit, given that typical orthotic preparation is lab-based and can take several weeks or months.

Also of note for the foot and ankle division: Christine Miller, D.P.M., D.M.M., Ph.D., is one of only three podiatrists in North America certified in forensic gait analysis by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

This past March, Marc Kaye, M.D., medical director of UF Health Orthopaedic Surgery – Emerson, was interviewed by ESPN regarding his treatment of a patient after the Jacksonville Landing shooting in 2018. Under Kaye’s care, this patient was able to fully recover from his hand injury and resume his professional video gaming career.

EDUCATION

Department Chair Paul Dougherty, M.D., directs the orthopaedic surgery residency program, which is thriving. The dynamic five-year program features a host of hands-on clinical rotations, including plastic surgery and vascular surgery in the first year, and pediatric orthopaedics, adult reconstruction and foot and ankle in subsequent years. All of the program’s 2019 graduates passed the first part of their American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons certifying examinations.

Jason Piraino, D.P.M., chief of the foot and ankle division, directs the UF Health Jacksonville podiatry residency program, which continues to be top-notch. The program has won the Florida Podiatric Medical Association’s Science & Management Symposium residency competition each of the past three years. This year, all of the program’s graduates passed their initial American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery examinations.

RESEARCH

In fulfillment of UF Health’s mission, research is taking center stage, with new clinical trials on the horizon. Trials will include exploring ways to bring innovative care to patients, particularly in wound healing and orthopaedic trauma. The internal orthopaedic research office consists of a coordinator, physician liaisons and the department chair, who all aim to support the growth of research activities within the department.

Overall, faculty and staff in the department of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation are highly motivated and excited about what lies ahead. We will always strive for excellence in the realms of patient care, education and research.