New & Noteworthy | Orthopaedic Surgery | NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY

This has been a great year for our department. Many positive events have occurred that will move us closer to accomplishing our goals. Dean Grossman’s commitment to developing a Musculoskeletal Center of Excellence at the new 38th Street facility is a very important step forward for our department. This facility will house the Spine Center, Sports Medicine Center and the Arthritis/Joint Replacement Center, and it will be designed as a state-of-the-art outpatient facility.

We have begun the complete renovation of the Musculoskeletal Research Center, which will be completed by mid-February. This $1 million project will greatly enhance our research capabilities in combination with the recruitment of Thorsten Kirsch, PhD as the Director of the Musculoskeletal Research Center and Vice Chair for Research. Dr. Kirsch is an NIH-funded scientist who will help us take major steps forward in our research efforts. Dr. Kirsch will be joining us about February 15, when the renovation is complete.

The selection of Chuanju Liu, PhD, of our Musculoskeletal Research Center as the 2008 Kappa Delta Award Winner is a further indication of the quality of work that is being performed. Our congratulations to Dr. Liu and his team. The new Pediatric Inpatient Unit on the 8th floor is now fully funded as a result of the generosity of Elly and Steve Hammerman. This $2.5 million project will be completed in 2008 and will be a state-of-the-art facility for inpatient pediatric care. The inpatient unit will provide us with an outstanding inpatient unit to complement the innovative Center for Children that was constructed in 2004.

Each and every division within our department has taken important steps forward to achieve the clinical, educational and academic goals we have established. This has only been possible through the hard work and dedication of each and every member of this department and all of the staff we work with so closely. 2007 has been a great year for our department, but as great as it has been, I truly believe that 2008 will be even better.
My best wishes to you and your families for a very happy holiday season. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for this department.

The Department is happy to welcome two new faculty members.

James Slover MD, MS is a new member of the Adult Reconstructive Division. His clinical focus comprises all aspects of adult reconstructive surgery. He also welcomes general orthopaedic surgery patients to his practice. Click here to learn more about his educational background, research interests, and his contact information.

Roy Davidovitch MD is a new member of the Trauma/Fracture Division but not a new face at NYU HJD. He distinguished himself as a resident in our academic program and we are happy to welcome him back in his new role as Chief of Trauma at Jamaica Hospital Center. Read more about Dr. Davidovitch here.

Joseph Zuckerman MD, Chairman, and Thomas Errico MD, Chief of the Spine Division, have recently been profiled in the online magazine Orthopedics This Week. Follow these links to read these informative biographies: Dr. Zuckerman's profile; Dr. Errico's profile.

Steven Stuchin MD, Chief at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, was recently featured on the Martha Stewart Show discussing the hip replacement he performed on the lifestyles expert Martha Stewart. The interview and Dr. Stuchin's FAQ on hip replacement can be viewed here.

Toni McLaurin MD of the Trauma Division has been featured in several radio broadcasts discussing diversity in orthopaedics as a spokesperson for the AAOS. A broadcast of Dr. McLaurin discussing this issue can be heard on the WAMC Northeast Public Radio site.

Clinical News is a new online publication covering research and clinical news throughout NYU Medical Center. Department faculty have been featured in several articles: "NYU HJD Surgeons Use New Procedure That Is Ideal For Young, Active Patients,"NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases Uses Innovative Navigation Technology For Knee and Hip Replacement Surgery," "New Program at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases Offers Comprehensive Care for Brachial Plexus Injuries," " NYU-Developed Technology for Hip Replacement in Young People Spreads to Japan," and " X-Stop: A New Minimally Invasive Spine Procedure Implants Titanium Between the Vertebrae." Click on each of the links above to read all about the exciting clinical news being generated by our faculty members!

Thomas Errico MD and Kenneth Mroczeck MD were both featured in the latest edition of NYU's News & Views. Dr. Errico was quoted about the Spine Center's participation in the Spine Patients Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) and Dr. Mroczek was featured in an article titled "Saving Life and Limb at Joint Diseases" about the work of NYU HJD's Diabetes Foot & Ankle Center. Click on the link above to read the articles online.

NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases climbed to the top ten in the 2007 US News & World Report rankings in the specialty of "Orthopaedics." In addition, several of our faculty were listed in New York Magazine's 2007 "Best Doctors" edition.

In recognition of his fifty years of service at NYU Medical Center, the Department has named its orthopaedic library at Bellevue Hospital Center in honor of Ralph Lusskin, MD, Clinical Professor. The Ralph Lusskin, MD Orthopaedic Library, located in the Department's administrative offices, is an academic resource for orthopaedic residents and physicians. Dr. Lusskin has retired from his most recent administrative role of Chief of Orthopaedic Services at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, but continues to serve the Department on a part-time basis.

The NYU HJD Soccer Team won the Urban League Soccer championship click here for more information.

The New York Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation has awarded Ran Schwarzkopf, MD, an orthopaedic resident, an Orthopaedic Fellowship Award grant to study “Acoustic Emission Studies: Monitoring of Hip and Knee Prosthesis Wear and Disease Progression in Osteoarthritis Patients.”

Please visit the NYU HJD Exhibit Booth at the AAOS Annual Meeting on March 5-7, 2008. The Department booth will be located in Hall D, Booth #4149. We will feature a video presentation and an interactive monitor. This will be the Department's 4th year participating in this important event.

The MRC site has a new page listing all current Clinical Trials in our department. If you would like to add a trial please email Ana De Jesus at ana.dejesus@nyumc.org.

Photo galleries of Department events like graduations, the Golf Gala, and alumni meetings are now available on a password-protected online gallery. If you would like to access photos of a recent Department event please email Ana De Jesus at ana.dejesus@nyumc.org for password information.