The alliance brings together Jupiter Medical Center, the region’s leading independent medical center, and HSS, ranked No. 1 in orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report for 16 straight years. Together, they will offer patients comprehensive orthopedic care—from diagnosis and surgery to rehabilitation—delivered with the highest standards of quality, safety and patient experience.

“Jupiter Medical Center and HSS share a commitment to excellence in patient care,” said Amit Rastogi, MD, MHCM, President and CEO of Jupiter Medical Center. “This relationship ensures that people in our community have direct access to the same orthopedic expertise trusted by patients of all kinds worldwide, including professional athletes.”

Raising the Bar for Orthopedic Care

Patients will benefit from a full spectrum of expertise in joint replacement, sports medicine, spine surgery, and rehabilitation. HSS physicians will perform surgeries at Jupiter Medical Center’s new Johnny and Terry Gray Surgical Institute. The hospital is also nearing completion of a new five-story Patient Care Tower, featuring dedicated facilities for state-of-the-art orthopedic care and rehabilitation. 

“This collaboration reflects a unique depth of shared responsibility and opportunity to increase access to the world’s highest quality orthopedic care in Palm Beach County,” said HSS President and CEO and Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA. For nearly half a century, Jupiter Medical Center has earned the trust of the community one patient at a time; HSS brings more than 163 years of unparalleled specialization in advancing care that is foundational to quality of life.  Jupiter Medical Center’s continued investment in innovation and technology aligns seamlessly with our mission to provide the best orthopedic care available anywhere.”

Recognition and Reputation

Jupiter Medical Center has recently been named one of Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals and one of Money’s Best Orthopedic Hospitals in the United States. It has also been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as “High Performing” in hip fracture, hip replacement, and knee replacement, and holds multiple Blue Distinction Center+ and Joint Commission certifications.

HSS, founded in 1863, is the world’s leading academic medical center focused solely on musculoskeletal health. Patients come for HSS care from all 50 States and more than 100 countries, including athletes from more than half of all teams in the MLB, NBA, NFL and NFL teams.  It is the Official Hospital of 15 professional sports teams worldwide, and the only Official Hospital of an entire sports league: UFC. Its research and education institutes drive new treatments and evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for patients everywhere.

A New Destination for Orthopedic Excellence

“This partnership will help make Jupiter Medical Center the premier destination for musculoskeletal care in the region,” said Ryan W. Simovitch, MD, an HSS sports medicine surgeon based in Florida. “Patients will have access to advanced care close to home, supported by the resources of a global leader.”

For information about Jupiter Medical Center, visit jupitermed.com or call 561-263-2234. For more information about HSS, visit hss.edu.

About Jupiter Medical Center
Jupiter Medical Center is rated No. 1 in the region for quality, safety, and patient experience. Its award-winning physicians provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care, including specialty centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics, neurosciences, and women’s and children’s services. Learn more at jupitermed.com.

In November 2023, NCH broke ground on the Patty & Jay Baker Pavilion, a 100,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located on the NCH North Naples Hospital campus. The Baker Pavilion will serve as a destination for comprehensive outpatient and inpatient musculoskeletal services, and will include imaging, rehabilitation, and The Kapnick Foundation Ambulatory Surgical Center. With contributions from The Kapnick Foundation, the Baker family, and other foundational donors, the new facility is expected to open to patients in March 2025.

The Kapnick Foundation’s philanthropy has been guided by its deep-rooted commitment to supporting institutions focused on improving communities. The Kapnick Foundation and the Kapnick family are dedicated to supporting HSS’s objective of expanding access to musculoskeletal care. This latest donation builds upon the Kapnicks’ previous support to expand the facilities on the HSS main campus in New York City.

“Naples is a special community. Kathleen and I are excited to help make the vision of providing greater access to best-in-class musculoskeletal care a reality for those in Southwest Florida,” said Mr. Scott Kapnick, a member of HSS Board of Trustees.

Thousands of Florida residents are among the patients from around the country and world who have visited New York City for musculoskeletal treatment at the HSS main campus. The Kapnick Foundation Ambulatory Surgical Center will offer exceptional care right in Naples.

“We are thrilled to receive this generous commitment from The Kapnick Foundation to advance our goal of bringing the best in orthopedics—practices, surgeons and physicians, and patient experience—to people in Southwest Florida. The Baker Pavilion will be the first and only healthcare center of its kind, made possible through our collaboration with NCH and visionary support from philanthropy,” said Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, HSS President, CEO and Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus.

All donations to support the Baker Pavilion are matched by the $20 million grant pledged by Jay Baker, Naples philanthropist and NCH Board Member, and his wife, HSS Trustee Patty Baker.

“This transformative donation is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our community,” said Jay Baker. “We appreciate the Kapnicks and their support. This gift will ensure that our residents have access to exceptional treatment right here at home, without the need to travel. It’s an honor to be a part of making Naples a leader in orthopedic excellence.”

NCH has been named as one of the top 50 hospitals in the nation by Healthgrades, as well as being ranked among the top 50 hospitals for cardiac care by Money Magazine, among other accolades. NCH is striving for equally impressive accreditations in orthopedics through its collaboration with HSS.

“NCH and HSS are aligned in our commitment to elevating the standard of orthopedic care as a whole. This gift will help us to deliver the outstanding services that patients within this community need and deserve,” said Paul Hiltz, NCH President and CEO.

About NCH

NCH is a locally governed non-profit and an Advanced Community Health System™ located in Naples, Florida. The System is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital) with a total of 713 beds. NCH is an alliance of 775 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida that offers nationally recognized, quality health care to our community. Our mission is to help everyone live a longer, happier, healthier life.  For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.

Since its 2020 opening, HSS Florida has provided surgical and nonsurgical care for approximately 40,000 patients with conditions including joint pain, traumatic and sports-related injuries, osteoarthritis, and back pain, as well as conditions affecting the hand and upper extremities. Patients have come from counties across Florida and as far away as New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

The 60,000-square-foot facility offers comprehensive clinical orthopedic care, advanced diagnostic and on-site imaging services, physical therapy, performance testing, and an innovative outpatient total joint replacement program. Patients receive the same high-quality care that HSS delivers at all its locations, closer to home.

The location currently supports four operating suites enabled with state-of-the-art technology, a focus that transcends surgery into all options for care. “I am so proud to bring HSS-level care to this community, especially non-surgical care as a first line of treatment,” said Tara M. McCoy, CEO of HSS Florida. “We are able to offer innovative alternatives to surgery with our comprehensive approach. This is in part due to HSS Florida’s top-of-the-line rehabilitation center, which has multiple technologies that objectively measure and track patients’ progress, such as motion capture systems, force plates, and strength-testing systems. It is our honor to provide these cutting-edge treatments to this population of active adults, retirees, elite athletes, and professional dancers, and we look forward to continuing to do so over the next five years and beyond.”

The growing need for orthopedic care in Palm Beach County has led HSS Florida to double the number of physicians, from seven to 14, and operating rooms, from two to four. Exam room capacity has also increased. On the diagnostic side, HSS radiologists, who are fellowship-trained in musculoskeletal imaging, bring unmatched expertise to every case to ensure the right diagnosis and treatment from the very start. 

“When we opened HSS Florida five years ago, we were committed to delivering the most advanced treatments; exceptional, personalized care; and an unwavering focus on quality and experience,” said Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, MBA, co-chief of HSS Spine and Chief Medical Officer of HSS Florida. “It is our responsibility to not only maintain these standards, but also to expand access to our world-class expertise, ensuring the best care for every patient.”

As a trusted leader in the community, HSS Florida is committed to encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing across local and statewide organizations to establish strong partnerships that will optimize patient care.

“Working closely with respected area institutions is integral to ensuring we continue to deliver the highest-quality care and support for our patients,” said Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, President and CEO at HSS. “Our recently announced collaboration with the University of Miami, our new state-of-the-art facility on the NCH North Naples Hospital campus, and our partnership with Tenet Healthcare exemplify HSS’s growing footprint in Florida. By fostering strong partnerships and sharing knowledge, we ensure patients receive comprehensive, seamless care from the experts they trust.”

HSS Florida is located at 300 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard in West Palm Beach. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit HSS.edu/florida or call 561-657-4600.

Led by renowned orthopedic surgeon, Francis J. Hornicek, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., UHealth’s Department of Orthopaedics includes the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute, medical provider for the Miami Hurricanes and the Miami Marlins. The department is the only academic, full-service multidisciplinary orthopedics program in South Florida and is a leader in research using stem cells, refining microsurgery for amputations, treating back pain and musculoskeletal oncology.

“We are pleased to announce this collaboration even before we open our doors at UHealth SoLé Mia,” said Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., chief operating officer of UHealth and founding director of Desai Sethi Urology Institute. “UHealth and HSS are both academic medical centers similarly focused on leading research and delivering excellence to patients in a clinical setting. This alliance will truly make UHealth SoLé Mia an unparalleled medical destination for our local community and beyond. Patients from across the nation already look to UHealth and HSS for world-class care. This collaboration brings the best of both worlds under one roof.”

Specialized since 1863, HSS has been ranked No. 1 in orthopedics worldwide since Newsweek introduced that ranking five years ago and has been ranked No. 1 in orthopedics nationwide for 15 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025). HSS is the world’s largest academic medical center specializing in musculoskeletal health and is the official hospital of the Brooklyn Nets, the New York Giants, the New York Knicks, current WNBA champions the New York Liberty, the New York Mets, the New York Red Bulls, UFC and other high-performing sports organizations.

“HSS is committed to making the world’s highest-quality musculoskeletal care accessible to more people,” said Sheeraz Qureshi, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer, HSS Florida and co-chief of HSS Spine. “This goal relies on strategic collaborations with like-minded organizations and leveraging these relationships to enhance care models from routine to complex musculoskeletal conditions. We are proud to partner with the University of Miami Health System and look forward to advancing the field of orthopedics together for South Florida residents.”

As part of this collaboration at the North Miami facility, UHealth will build a musculoskeletal program that includes imaging, physician services, ambulatory surgeries and rehabilitation services. Medical Director for Integrated UM/HSS Orthopedics Musculoskeletal Program, Lee Kaplan, M.D., M.H.C.M., and Senior Administrative Officer, Monica Calcines, J.D., will work in consort with Dr. Qureshi with the goal of unified and consistent care delivery. UHealth and HSS will also work together to recruit specialized surgeons to enhance orthopedic services offered at SoLé Mia.

With the help of the University of Miami Strategy Team led by Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Aaron Snyder and Executive Director Ina Hoxha, the impact of this strategic alliance will have reach well beyond the North Miami facility, enhancing the quality, patient experience and outcomes of the UHealth orthopedics department. Dr. Hornicek describes the collaboration as “a win-win for patients in South Florida. We’re bringing in the top orthopedics program in the nation to work hand in hand with our already-stellar faculty. This will only improve access and patient outcomes for our community.”

“Guided by our mission to improve mobility and enhance quality of life for all, HSS is committed to building partnerships that drive innovation and deliver lasting impact,” said Tara M. McCoy, chief executive officer, HSS Florida. “We value the power of collaboration. Our shared commitment to musculoskeletal health will enable us to make meaningful progress together.”

“We are bringing together two powerhouses in the orthopedic field,” said Dr. Kaplan, who is director of the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute. “This will benefit the patients of South Florida who live an active lifestyle and make this area a destination for care.”

In addition to the newly formed affiliation, UHealth and HSS will host the 9^th Annual Winter Technology & Innovation in Orthopedics Symposium in Ft. Lauderdale. The two-day event in January features specialized presentations of the latest advances in orthopedics, including joint replacement, sports medicine and spine surgery.

ABOUT UHEALTH

UHealth – University of Miami Health System delivers leading-edge patient care by top-ranked physicians who treat some of the most complex cases. Powered by the Miller School of Medicine’s ground-breaking research and medical education, UHealth is the region’s only academic-based health care system. With a comprehensive network of nearly 40 outpatient facilities, its flagship hospital in the heart of Miami’s Health District, and more than 1,800 providers across South Florida, UHealth is a vital component of the community that is leading the next generation of health care. UHealth is home to Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the No. 1 ranked eye hospital in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the region’s only NCI-designated cancer center, Desai Sethi Urology Institute, dedicated to urologic research and discovery, and a neurology and neurosurgery program ranked in the top 20 in the nation. These programs, along with 100 other specialties, make UHealth a trusted destination for compassionate, research-based care. UMiamiHealth.org

The study is recruiting patients with knee, hip or shoulder arthritis to determine how the disease affects club swing and other components of the golf game. Participants will be assessed again following joint replacement and subsequent rehabilitation to determine the effect of surgery on their ability to play golf.

“High-end golf simulators have optically enhanced radar tracking technology that provides a considerable amount of data in terms of golf swing, ball launch and ball flight,” explains Ryan W. Simovitch, MD, director of the shoulder division and co-medical director at HSS Florida, and the study’s principal investigator. “Our simulator employs advanced technology and complex algorithms to deliver a realistic and immersive virtual golf experience.”

The researchers will use the simulator in combination with a highly sophisticated system for motion analysis known as DARI that uses high-speed cameras to capture the golfer’s movements from multiple angles. “We will perform motion analysis of the torso, shoulder, elbow, hip and knee while simultaneously looking at vital information provided by the golf simulator such as ball spin, distance, trajectory and smash factor,” Dr. Simovitch explains.

Rodger Hess, an avid golfer and one of Dr. Simovitch’s patients, had shoulder replacement surgery last month to relieve painful arthritis. The 86-year-old Jupiter resident, who has been playing golf since he was a teenager and continued to play up until his surgery, said he found the study interesting. So, a few days before his left shoulder replacement, he played virtual golf on the simulator and data was collected.

“I’m curious to see what my range of motion is after my recovery compared to before the surgery,” Mr. Hess says. “Maybe I’ll be able to turn my body more, and it will improve.” Since shoulder replacement surgery entails months of physical therapy and healing, Mr. Hess is scheduled to be back on the golf simulator in May.

The HSS Florida study aims to follow up to 300 patients over two years to monitor their progress. Dr. Simovitch notes that down the road, their findings could lead to changes in rehabilitation to maximize outcomes for golfers after joint replacement or even lead to modifications in how the surgery is performed.

Outside of the study, HSS Rehabilitation and Performance facilities in New York City and Florida use their golf simulators to help devoted players get back in the game after an injury or surgery. The objective information it provides can be a valuable supplement to the doctor’s recommendations and rehab program developed by a physical therapist or exercise physiologist.  

A bone fracture is one of the most common orthopedic injuries. For those that are less serious, such as a tiny crack in a bone, the main treatment is often rest or immobilization. At the other end of the spectrum, broken bones resulting from a serious accident could require emergency surgery. Although any bone in the body can break, the collarbone, wrist, ankle, spinal vertebrae and hip are most prone to a fracture, said Dr. Sama. Breaking a bone can be a difficult and sometimes frightening experience, but with the right treatment, bones have a natural ability to heal, he said.

In Dr. Sama’s view, patient education is essential, and individuals who actively participate in their care have better outcomes. “While the outcome is dependent upon the surgeon and the surgical procedure that he or she does, it is also largely dependent upon patients knowing what to do and what not to do, participating in physical therapy and understanding what to expect,”  he explained. 

This article appeared in the Fall 2024 print edition and online at digitaledition.pub.

As Co-Chief of HSS Spine and holder of the Patty and Jay Baker Chair in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Dr. Qureshi is an internationally recognized leader in the field of minimally invasive and motion-sparing spine surgery. In his expanded role as Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Qureshi will oversee clinical operations and quality across all HSS Florida locations and for HSS at NCH. He will also partner with HSS Florida CEO Tara McCoy to make HSS care more accessible to more people across the state of Florida and cultivate relationships with industry, employers and other strategic partners. Dr. Qureshi will maintain his leadership role and clinical practice at the HSS Main Campus in New York.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Qureshi to our team. He brings a wealth of clinical experience and proven leadership history to HSS Florida,” said Ms. McCoy. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with him to expand high-quality leading-edge treatment options to patients across the state.”

“I am honored and deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with a dynamic Florida clinical team and staff who are dedicated to improving orthopedic care in the communities we serve,” Dr. Qureshi said. “Together, we will continue to provide more people with the high-quality orthopedic care they have come to expect from HSS.”

David Backstein, MD, is Appointed Medical Director of HSS at NCH

Dr. Backstein is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in primary and revision total knee replacement and primary hip replacement. He has special expertise in the use of minimally invasive and robotic techniques in joint replacement surgeries. Dr. Backstein, who joined HSS at NCH earlier this year from the University of Toronto where he led the division of orthopedics at Mount Sinai Hospital, is the recipient of numerous awards for clinical research and has published more than 200 papers in peer-reviewed journals. He regularly presents his work at conferences all over the country and around the globe.

Dr. Backstein succeeds Dr. Helfet, who has helped to guide the first year of the HSS at NCH collaboration. As Founding Medical Director, Dr. Helfet will continue to serve the Naples community, providing education on HSS and the new HSS at NCH Musculoskeletal Center as well as partnering with the HSS and NCH philanthropy teams. Additionally, he will serve as a conduit between HSS at NCH and HSS’s main campus in New York City, helping to foster increased clinical alignment.

“Dr. Helfet’s expertise has been paramount in establishing the musculoskeletal center and the Orthopedic Service, and his collaboration with Dr. Backstein will ensure that our world-class orthopedic care and outstanding patient experience are seamless for communities in southwest Florida,” said Dr. Padgett. “Dr. Backstein’s leadership complements our dedication to excellence and to move healthcare forward for the residents of Florida and beyond.”

“We are excited about these additions to leadership. We continue to strengthen our collaboration while enhancing our ability to deliver outstanding orthopedic health services,” said Paul Hiltz, President and CEO, NCH. “This marks an exciting new chapter for HSS at NCH.”

“Fostering a stronger collaboration between HSS and NCH clinicians, researchers, and industry partners to find clinical solutions for patients in our Florida communities will be a primary focus for me in my new role,” said Dr. Backstein. “I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Helfet and the greater care team to bridge the gap between clinical need and outcomes.”

The HSS at NCH musculoskeletal center, now under development, spans more than 80,000 square feet and will be the centerpiece in the HSS at NCH collaboration to elevate orthopedic care in Naples and Southwest Florida. The facility will offer outpatient and inpatient orthopedic services, including an ambulatory surgery center, imaging, and rehabilitation, and will be jointly operated by HSS and NCH. The HSS at NCH facility is scheduled to open in 2025.