U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals in 14 specialties. Hospital performance was assessed based on various measures, including patient outcomes, level of nursing care, patient-reported experience, and available technology such as computer-assisted orthopedic surgery. The methodology factored in data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, professional organizations, and medical specialists.

“We are proud to once again be recognized as a leader in orthopedics and rheumatology,” said HSS President and CEO Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA. “This distinction reflects the extraordinary expertise, dedication, and collaboration of the entire HSS team. For patients across the New York metropolitan region, it is also a powerful validation that the best orthopedic care in the country is available right here in their community. Through comprehensive musculoskeletal care, we help patients preserve mobility, enhance their quality of life, and extend their healthspan so they can continue doing what they need and love to do.”

“This recognition from U.S. News reflects HSS’s unwavering commitment to advancing musculoskeletal health through clinical excellence, innovation, and patient-centered care,” said Douglas E. Padgett, MD, surgeon-in-chief and medical director of HSS. “Perhaps the greatest measure of our impact is the trust of patients who travel to HSS from across the country and around the world seeking care have placed in us. This distinction reflects our dedication to achieving exceptional outcomes and our belief that preserving movement is the foundation of longevity and quality of life.”

Patients come to HSS from all 50 states and more than 100 countries, often for both common and complex medical conditions or challenging surgeries requiring highly specialized care. As a global destination for orthopedic and rheumatologic care, HSS brings together world-renowned physicians, advanced treatment approaches, and multidisciplinary teams dedicated to delivering personalized, evidence-based care for patients of all ages and activity levels.

“Our rankings reflect the extraordinary expertise, dedication, and innovation of the physicians, scientists, researchers, and care teams who make HSS a leader in rheumatology,” said Anca D. Askanase, MD, MPH, Chair of the Department of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at HSS. “Through groundbreaking research, advanced therapies, and highly personalized care, we are helping to transform the lives of patients living with complex autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.”

“The pace of discovery in musculoskeletal medicine is accelerating at an unprecedented rate,” said Joel Press, MD, Physiatrist-in-Chief at HSS. “Advances in artificial intelligence, data science, and precision medicine are helping researchers uncover new insights faster and translate those discoveries into more effective, personalized care. With HSS’s singular focus on musculoskeletal health and unmatched depth of clinical expertise, we are uniquely positioned to turn innovation into meaningful improvements in outcomes for patients everywhere.”

As the world’s leading academic medical center specializing in musculoskeletal health, HSS maintains among the lowest hospital readmission rates for orthopedics in the nation, and among the lowest rates for infection and complications. HSS is the worlds most awarded hospital in orthopedics by Newsweek each year since the “World’s Best Specialized Hospitals” survey was introduced in 2020.

In 2025, HSS clinicians and surgeons provided specialized care to more than 258,016 patients with orthopedic or rheumatologic conditions, such as pain or injury to the back, neck, or joints; osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis; lupus; scleroderma; and psoriatic arthritis. HSS performed more than 45,864 orthopedic surgical procedures in 2025.

HSS is the official hospital of and provides team physicians to more than 25 high-performing sports teams and leagues, including the New York Giants, New York Knicks, New York Liberty, Brooklyn Nets, New York Mets, New York Red Bulls, TCS New York City Marathon, National Basketball Players Association, Major League Pickleball, US Youth Soccer, and UFC. It is designated a Medical Center of Excellence by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

In this role, Dr. Press will help shape the future of non-operative musculoskeletal care across  HSS – supporting regional expansion, optimizing practice operations, enhancing access and the patient experience across all sites of care, and overseeing a diverse portfolio of clinical programs.

Dr. Press will report to Douglas E. Padgett, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director at HSS, and will work closely with Associate Surgeon-in-Chiefs Drs. Answorth Allen and Mathias Bostrom, as well as department and service leaders, to advance and integrate non-operative musculoskeletal care across the institution. He will also have a central leadership role in institutional initiatives focused on quality, safety, innovation, and strategic growth.

“Dr. Press has made significant contributions to the advancement of musculoskeletal medicine and is one of the most highly regarded physiatrists in the diagnosis and management of non-operative sports and spine conditions,” said Bryan Kelly, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of HSS. “His leadership will play a pivotal role in advancing HSS’s mission to expand access to high-quality non-operative care, deepen physician engagement, and drive innovation in musculoskeletal health.”

Dr. Press is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He brings decades of experience building and leading high-performing, multidisciplinary musculoskeletal programs and is widely respected for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to advancing value-based, patient-centered care.

“Dr. Press will be a strong asset to our executive team as we work to shape HSS’s next chapter—one defined by expanded access, integrated care, clinical innovation, and enduring leadership in musculoskeletal health,” said Douglas E. Padgett, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director at HSS.

Dr. Press is currently Physiatrist-in-Chief at HSS and Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. He has built a distinguished clinical and leadership career in musculoskeletal care, including his prior role as founder and director of the Spine and Sports Rehabilitation Centers at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

A prolific scholar and educator, Dr. Press has authored more than 75 peer-reviewed publications, edited multiple textbooks, and has held national leadership roles across major professional societies in musculoskeletal medicine, rehabilitation, and sports medicine. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at Northwestern University.

For 25 years, Dr. Press has been consistently named among the best doctors in the country by Castle Connolly.

“I am honored to serve as Physician-in-Chief at HSS during such a pivotal moment in the evolution of musculoskeletal care,” said Dr. Press. “I look forward to partnering with my colleagues to build on HSS’s extraordinary legacy and help shape what comes next not just at HSS but within the field of musculoskeletal health at large.”

The Tribute Dinner is HSS’s premier fundraising event recognizing physicians, philanthropists and business leaders who have made a major impact in the field of musculoskeletal medicine. The evening, hosted by WABC-TV Eyewitness News anchor Sade Baderinwa, featured entertainment by Emmy Award-winning comedian Jim Gaffigan and a musical performance by The Castellows.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest recognition for an outstanding healthcare leader at HSS. “Both Dr. Albert and Dr. Press have made significant contributions to the advancement of musculoskeletal medicine and exemplify the finest qualities found in physicians,” said Douglas E. Padgett, MD, surgeon-in-chief and medical director at HSS. “Their knowledge and skill in their respective fields and commitment to providing the highest quality of care make them the kind of doctors you would want for your own family.”

The HSS Tribute Dinner Award recognizes outstanding achievements in business and service to the community. “We celebrate Ken Wilson not only for his illustrious career but also for his many years of leadership and support at HSS,” said HSS President and CEO Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA. “We are privileged to recognize him for his 24 years of service on the HSS Board of Trustees, including five years as Board Chairman. During his tenure, his strong leadership and vision for the future led to unprecedented growth, with an expansion of HSS services not only in New York but also in Connecticut, New Jersey and Florida.”

This year’s Tribute Dinner, attended by over 800 guests and raised more than $6.5 million for patient care, research and medical education.

HONOREES

Kendrick R. Wilson, III

Mr. Wilson is Chairman Emeritus of the HSS Board of Trustees, having served in that role from 2013 to 2018. During his tenure, he oversaw a major expansion of HSS services and locations. In total, he served on the Board from 1998 to 2022, at which time he became a Life Trustee.

Mr. Wilson is best known for his career in the banking industry, where he gained the respect of his peers for his strategic insight and leadership. During his long career on Wall Street, he played a role in some of the most significant transactions in the financial services industry. At the height of the financial crisis of 2008, President George W. Bush asked him to work as an adviser to then Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to help resolve the financial crisis.

Mr. Wilson retired as Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. in the first quarter of 2018 and was a member of its Global Executive Committee. He also served as Chairman of BlackRock's Human Capital Committee and BlackRock Alternative Investors. Before going to Washington in the summer of 2008, he was Vice Chairman, Investment Banking of Goldman Sachs & Co. and a member of Goldman's Executive Office. He also served as Chairman of Goldman's Financial Institutions Group.

He has served on the boards of numerous public and private corporations in the United States and overseas. In addition to HSS, he is a Trustee Emeritus of the Montana Land Reliance and Middlebury College. Mr. Wilson also served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Montana State University Foundation.

Todd J. Albert, MD

Over the years, Dr. Albert has earned a reputation as a highly skilled and greatly respected spine surgeon nationally and internationally. He is Surgeon-in-chief Emeritus and Richard Rogers Professor to Advance Spine Care at HSS, as well as a professor of orthopaedic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical School. His practice specializes in the treatment of cervical spine disorders as well as degenerative and traumatic conditions of the spine.

Dr. Albert is a member of multiple national and international medical societies. He is president- elect of the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons and served as president of the Cervical Spine Research Society and Scoliosis Research Society.

Dr. Albert has written more than 90 book chapters, edited 14 books and published more than 450 peer-reviewed articles. He has received outstanding paper awards from the North American Spine Society, the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine and the Cervical Spine Research Society. He serves on the editorial boards for several academic journals. He has been recognized with the John J. Gartland Award for Resident Education and the Jean McDaniel mentorship award at HSS. He was also awarded the Nicolas Andry Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons.

Joel M. Press, MD

Dr. Press is Physiatrist-in-Chief and the Joel and Anne Ehrenkranz Chair in Physiatry

at HSS and a professor of rehabilitation medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. He has published and edited multiple articles and textbooks, chaired numerous courses and lectures extensively nationally and internationally on the rehabilitation of spine and sports-related injuries.

Prior to joining HSS, Dr. Press was an attending physician at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago from 1988 to 2016. In 1989, he founded and directed the Spine and Sports Rehabilitation Centers at the Institute. He was a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and the Reva and David Logan Distinguished Chair of Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He served as Vice President of External Relations and the Executive Medical Director for Outpatient Physician Services at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

He has been an oral board examiner and written board examination-item writer for the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is a past president of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the North American Spine Society and the Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation.

HSS Midtown’s medical services include diagnosis of musculoskeletal issues, physical therapy, digital X-ray and non-surgical care, as well as convenient access to care coordination and evaluations, follow-up and post-surgical care for patients undergoing surgical procedures at other HSS locations. “HSS Midtown is designed to overcome many of the reasons why too many people are enduring unnecessary pain and impairment,” said HSS Physiatrist-in-Chief Joel M. Press, MD. “An integrated team of non-surgical and surgical specialists, in a gorgeous new midtown location where you can book directly, open also evenings and on Saturdays.”

“HSS has been part of the fabric of midtown Manhattan for more than 100 years, since long before the capabilities of this new location were imaginable,” said Louis A. Shapiro, President and CEO of HSS. “With our 18th location, plus virtual care, HSS quality is now within a few clicks or a few miles of most people who live or work in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Florida.”

An entire floor of HSS Midtown is dedicated to Rehabilitation and Performance services, including hand therapy, occupational therapy and performance training. State-of-the-art technologies include the only FDA-certified markerless motion capture system, which aids in analyzing the quality of a person’s movement and guiding injury prevention. Other integrative medicine services, including acupuncture, massage therapy and Pilates, will be offered by trained HSS experts to complement and optimize patients’ overall health.

“The breadth of services offered at HSS Midtown means our patients will be able to meet multiple needs in one location,” said Dr. Press. “Our goal is to provide comprehensive care for all patients’ musculoskeletal needs.”

Saturday and evening hours are available at HSS Midtown. To schedule an in-person or virtual visit, call 646.618.7777 or visit HSS.edu/Midtown.

Joel M. Press, MD, physiatrist-in-chief at HSS, explains that some people may find buckwheat-filled pillows comfortable yet others can find them noisy or stiff.

This article appeared in the March 2019 issue.
 

Joel M. Press, MD, physiatrist-in-chief at HSS, explains that seemingly innocuous habits can trigger this pain.

"The more you sit the more pressure you put on the cushioned discs between the bones in your back," says Dr. Press. If you have a desk job, get up and walk around every 30 minutes. This will help squeeze fluid out of your discs and ward off pain.

Diet can also play a role. Dr. Press explains that an anti-inflammatory diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats) may help tamp down inflammation in the body that can worsen chronic pain.

Read the full article at AARP.org.

The articles include interviews with Joel M. Press, MD, physiatrist-in-chief at HSS; Richard J. Herzog, MD, FACR, director of Spinal Imaging at HSS; Chad M. Craig, MD, medical director of HSS Spine; Ellen M. Soffin, MD, PhD, spine anesthesiologist at HSS; Todd J. Albert, MD, surgeon-in-chief at HSS; Mary-Ellen Zullo, PA; Andrew Koo, PA; and Catherine H. MacLean, MD, PhD, chief value medical officer at HSS.

Becker's reports that the HSS spine model functions because of the collaboration between medical practitioners and systems all working together to ensure each patient is being treated safely and effectively. 

Read the full articles at BeckersSpineReview.com - Part One and Part Two.

Dr. Press explained that the sounds, called crepitus, are typically harmless and common.

"Cartilage wears down over time, exposing joint areas that may rub against one another," said Dr. Press.

This article appeared in the August 2018 print issue.

According to the article, there are a growing number of Peruvian patients who have traveled to HSS for care.

"I am involved in clinical research that analyzes the results after hip preservation surgery and hip arthroscopy. This research allows a better understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of athletic hip injuries. Caring for athletes and helping them return to sports after an injury is a great satisfaction," said Dr. Coleman.

Dr. Press noted that the most common injuries treated at HSS are related to the knee, shoulder and spine.

"In the last 150 years, we have established the best surgical programs and services available in the world. Our biggest challenge in our area of ​​physiatry is to build the medical and non-surgical components of this institution at the same level as the surgical services," Dr. Press added.

This article originally appeared at businessempresarial.com.pe.

Joel M. Press, MD, physiatrist-in-chief at HSS, explains that how you sit is important to your back. "I don't know anything about what Zuckerberg was doing or not doing, but before you make fun of the cushion - it could have been for all different reasons."

Read the full article at WashingtonPost.com.
 

"As a matter of fact, a lot of people in this country use a little back support," says Joel M. Press, MD, physiatrist-in-chief at HSS. 

Dr. Press explains how sitting for extended periods of time can put strain on the discs in the back so cushions that offer elevation or extra support can help. Cushions are also used for injuries to the hamstrings, hips, thighs or buttocks.

While an extra cushion isn't likely to be necessary for day-to-day sitting needs, Dr. Press does recommend that the average person uses some support while sitting throughout the workday. 

Read the full article at Fortune.com.