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.

Founded in 1863 and headquartered in New York City, HSS is the world’s leading academic medical system specialized in musculoskeletal health.  HSS has been ranked no. 1 in orthopedics worldwide for the past four years by Newsweek, and nationwide since 2010 by US News & World Report.  Before the opening of HSS West Palm Beach in 2020, thousands of Florida residents traveled each year for care at the HSS main campus in New York City.  

Ms. Woolf earned her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration at Florida Atlantic University.  She is a past member of the Executive Leadership Board of the Extraordinary Women Leading Change Conference in Fort Lauderdale.  A Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, Ms. Woolf is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the Florida Association of Nursing (FNA), and the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). 

“In Heather, we have found a leader uniquely qualified and committed to advancing a care facility unlike any other in the region to ensure we deliver the full benefit of more than 160 years of specialization,” said Ms. McCoy.  “We are focused on helping people get back to what they need and love to do better than any other place in the world – right here in West Palm Beach.” 

Among the region’s most highly regarded orthopedic surgeons for more than a decade, HSS West Palm Beach co-medical directors Sama and Simovitch, in a joint statement, described Woolf’s appointment as a milestone in increasing access to higher quality care: “Meeting the high demand for HSS quality care in our home state requires not only the world class clinical team we are building, but also the excellence in operations that Heather can help us continue to expand.”    

Ms. Woolf said her 25 years of experience in healthcare gives her a special sense of responsibility and opportunity in joining HSS, the only hospital in North America designated by the World Economic Forum as a member of the Global Coalition for Value in Healthcare. 

“The more one knows about orthopedics, the more one understands the quality and innovation difference that HSS represents,” said Ms. Woolf.  “In Palm Beach County HSS is perfectly positioned at the intersection of the world’s best quality of life, and the world’s leading cause of disability: musculoskeletal conditions.” 

“I am honored to join the best in the world in making the highest quality of care and experience more accessible to the community I have called home for nearly 20 years.”  

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. 

HSS has ranked No. 1 in the nation for orthopedics for the past 10 consecutive years, according to U.S. News & World Report. The world’s largest academic medical center specialized in orthopedics, rheumatology and related specialties, HSS attracts patients from all 50 States and more than 80 countries. Athletes from more than 80 of the highest performing teams in the world travel to HSS for care. In 2019, nearly 3,000 Florida residents travelled for care to the HSS main campus in New York.

“HSS is committed to the health, wellness and lifestyle of our patients,” said Dr. Bryan Kelly, surgeon-in-chief and medical director, HSS. “We are always advancing innovative pathways to provide better care and an important part of that process is providing access to more people in new locations.”

HSS Florida is led by Founding Medical Director David Altchek, MD, renowned sports medicine surgeon, chief emeritus of the HSS Sports Medicine Institute and Medical Director for the New York Mets. Nick Sama, MD, orthopedic trauma surgeon, will serve as Associate Medical Director for Inpatient Services; and Ryan Simovitch, MD, sports medicine and shoulder surgeon, will serve as Associate Medical Director for Ambulatory Services.

Located at 300 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, HSS Florida - West Palm Beach offers comprehensive outpatient orthopedic care, including physician consultations, advanced diagnostic and imaging services, specialized rehabilitation, sports performance programs and surgery.

“Southeast Florida is the ideal location for HSS to extend its reach and impact,” said Dr. Altchek. “This new facility will serve as a real center of excellence for patients seeking a wide-range of musculoskeletal health services. I’m looking forward to working with some of the world’s most highly skilled physicians, surgeons and other specialists at the spectacular HSS Florida campus.”

Physicians practicing at HSS Florida include those based in Florida full-time as well as those who split their time between the New York and Florida campuses of HSS. In addition to Drs. Altchek, Sama, and Simovitch, other HSS physicians who will be seeing patients this month include:

• Michelle Carlson, MD, hand and upper extremity surgeon
• James “Beamer” Carr II, MD, sports medicine surgeon
• Kathleen Davenport, MD, physiatrist
• John Wang, MD, hip and knee surgeon

“HSS is making the highest level of musculoskeletal care more convenient for a community that understands and values quality,” said Louis A. Shapiro, president and CEO of HSS. “This new facility is unlike any of our previous expansions as this is a brand-new comprehensive center built from the ground up and located outside of the New York City tri-state area.”

Physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists will help patients with injuries and pain in the hand, wrist, elbow, low back and neck as well as sports injuries and general orthopedic pain. HSS Florida will also offer sports performance services, including running analysis. Depending on insurance, the need for a physician prescription may be waived.