These successes are a testament to the collaborative culture that defines both our department and the larger institution—an environment built on shared dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

In recent years, our department has ascended among the nation’s top-ranked orthopedic programs, now standing at 42nd out of approximately 1,647 hospitals—a reflection of our faculty’s growing reputation and the outstanding surgical outcomes they deliver. Despite the inherent challenges of operating within a large urban healthcare system—where patients often present with complex comorbidities and socioeconomic hurdles—we remain steadfast in our mission to provide world-class care. With each passing year, our department continues to gain well-deserved recognition for the extraordinary work being done.

The Montefiore Joint Replacement Center remains at the forefront of orthopedic excellence, maintaining Joint Commission Certification for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement and earning Center of Excellence designation by Aetna for total joint replacements. We serve as a regional referral center, receiving inpatient transfers from more than 20 hospitals and managing some of the most complex surgical cases, including complex revisions, musculoskeletal infections, post-traumatic reconstructions, and limb lengthening procedures.

Our growth continues at an extraordinary pace. Over the past year, we have provided care for more than 300,000 patients in the outpatient setting, with nearly 200,000 patients treated in the Bronx and an additional 100,000 in our Hudson Valley locations. The department collectively performed over 9,500 orthopedic and podiatric surgeries. At Wakefield, the first and only Magnet Hospital in the Bronx, we performed more than 2,400 joint replacements—a testament to the skill and dedication of our surgical teams.

In keeping with our commitment to advancing orthopedic research, the department allocated over $500,000 through the Orthopedic Research Seed Grant Program, supporting high-impact projects aimed at shaping the future of musculoskeletal care. The Musculoskeletal Oncology Research Laboratory, led by Dr. Bang Hoang, continues to make significant strides, leveraging innovative transgenic models to advance our understanding and treatment of osteosarcoma—an endeavor strengthened by the NIH R01 research grant awarded in recent years.

Our faculty continues to grow, bringing new expertise and expanding our ability to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. We proudly welcome:

• Dr. Catherine Mackey (Pediatric Orthopedics)
• Dr. Arin Kim (Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery)
• Dr. Vanessa Charubhumi (Hand, Upper Extremity & Sports Medicine)
• Dr. Zachary Berliner (Joint Replacement)

We are also broadening our geographic footprint, deepening our presence in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. This year, we welcomed new faculty to our New Windsor group, expanded our practice at Elmsford’s Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, and initiated clinical services in New Rochelle and Nyack. Our orthopedic oncology and pediatric orthopedic specialists continue to serve patients at White Plains Hospital, ensuring that the Westchester community has access to highly specialized orthopedic care. Furthermore, our growing collaboration with Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care physicians across Westchester and Rockland counties continues to strengthen a well-integrated network of orthopedic services across the region.

Our residency program has never been more competitive, with application numbers reaching unprecedented levels. For the past two years, our residents’ OITE scores have placed us in the top 25% nationally, underscoring both the exceptional caliber of our trainees and the dedication of our faculty. As a direct reflection of this success, the ACGME has awarded us a seventh residency position, further expanding our educational impact. Additionally, we now offer fellowships in Shoulder, Joint Replacement, Musculoskeletal Oncology, Pediatric Orthopedics, and Spine, with plans to introduce additional programs in the near future.

We are honored to have been selected as a host institution for both the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society’s Traveling Fellowship and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand’s International Travelling Fellowship – prestigious events designed to bring together leading experts from far and wide and which reinforce our department’s standing as a leader in orthopedic education and innovation.

As we look ahead to another year of growth, I remain immensely proud of our team and deeply optimistic about the future. With continued innovation, expansion, and a steadfast focus on excellence, I have no doubt that we will further solidify our position as a leader in musculoskeletal care—delivering world-class, value-based treatment to the patients who entrust us with their care.

Neil J. Cobelli, MD
Chairman and Professor, Montefiore Einstein Orthopedic Surgery