Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health, is pleased to announce the appointments of Nicholas Sama, MD, and Ryan W. Simovitch, MD, as medical directors of HSS Florida in West Palm Beach. Drs. Sama and Simovitch succeed founding medical director David W. Altchek, MD, who recently transitioned into the role of medical director of the HSS Sports Medicine Institute West Side in New York City. Dr. Altchek will continue to treat patients with sports injuries of the knee, shoulder, and elbow in New York and Florida. 

Specialized for 160 years, HSS is ranked No. 1 in the world for orthopedics.  “As the world’s greatest concentration of expertise in musculoskeletal health, we recognize our special responsibility and opportunity to ensure the highest quality talent, knowledge, patient care and outcomes at all our locations,” said Douglas E. Padgett, MD, HSS Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director.

“Dr. Altchek was a visionary in bringing HSS to Florida, where the high quality of life creates especially high appreciation and demand for better quality musculoskeletal care,” said Tara McCoy, chief executive officer at HSS Florida. “Drs. Sama and Simovitch are proven collaborative leaders who will continue to grow our strength, presence and impact in the West Palm Beach community and beyond." 

HSS Florida offers surgical and non-surgical expertise for conditions including joint pain, trauma and sports injuries, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, and conditions of the hand, upper extremities, foot and ankle for both pediatric and adult patients — including professional and youth athletes. Since its opening in 2020, it has broadened the delivery of musculoskeletal care to include injury prevention guidance to youth sports teams, performance services in collaboration with TB12, and workforce wellness support for employers throughout the state.  

“HSS Florida has been incredibly busy providing the highest-quality musculoskeletal care to the West Palm Beach community for more than three years,” said Dr. Altchek. “I am grateful to have been part of bringing this care vision to life and now, with the appointments of Drs. Sama and Simovitch, this will allow us to continue to advance clinical excellence and outcomes for our patients.” 

For more information on HSS Florida or to schedule an appointment, visit HSS.edu/Florida or call 561-657-4600.