From the Chiefs
Welcome to Columbia Orthopedics/New York Orthopedic Hospital (NYOH). Founded on the pioneering work of Drs. Harrison McLaughlin, Russell Hibbs, Frank Stinchfield, Robert Carroll, Charles Neer, and Louis Bigliani, the department exemplifies the very best in orthopedic patient care, education, and leadership. Under our current Chair, Dr. William Levine, a world-renowned shoulder surgeon, our rich legacy continues to thrive.
Our residency leadership, directed by Drs. Charles Jobin, Andrew Neuwirth and Bonnie Chien, is committed to the best resident experience. Our clinical faculty and mentors at NYOH work closely with us every day in various settings, including the office, the operating room, and didactic conferences. Our attendings are dedicated to providing the best education to residents, enabling us to develop into exceptional physicians and surgeons. Learning from international leaders in orthopedic subspecialties, we engage in stimulating discussions and tackle complex cases. Our faculty continuously challenge us to seize every learning opportunity. The strong bonds we form with our faculty endure beyond residency, a testament to their unwavering dedication.
In addition to clinical education, our residents have ample opportunities to conduct research at the highest level during their training. There are endless opportunities to investigate orthopedic problems through basic science, animal models, clinical studies, large database-related research and beyond. Our faculty, including full-time dedicated PhD faculty, help integrate the residents into research projects and develop the skills to critically evaluate literature and become successful clinician-scientists. Many of our residents have been awarded highly competitive grants to carry out their research projects. Our dedicated 6-year research track resident has additional opportunities to further their research goals with a multitude of mentors and diverse projects. With this combination of clinical and academic training, residents are able to become confident, thoughtful, skilled physicians and surgeons who consistently match at the most prestigious fellowships in the country.
We take immense pride in the accomplished residents who have undergone training here and the culture we have created. Columbia's environment fosters inclusivity and ensures that all physicians feel welcomed as they pursue their education in orthopedic surgery. Our commitment to transforming the landscape of healthcare is unwavering. We proudly serve as an Nth dimension sponsor and actively participate in initiatives such as the Perry Initiative and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS), where Dr. Christen Russo, one of our attendings, is a recent Past President.
We firmly believe the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NYOH offers the strongest orthopedic surgery training program in the country. We are proud of the incredible accomplishments of each of our residents and can’t wait to see where their careers will take them. We invite you to learn more about the residents and our program through our website or during a clinical rotation with us!
I chose Columbia/NYOH for the people, the training, and the confidence that I would become the best possible physician and surgeon by training here. From the beginning, the residents and faculty stood out—not only for their clinical and academic excellence, but for how invested they are in each other’s success. The faculty are diverse in background and perspective, with leaders across every subspecialty who are just as committed to mentorship and education as they are to patient care. They make time for residents, whether it’s providing thoughtful feedback, discussing research ideas, or giving life advice. The clinical training is comprehensive and rigorous, preparing us to manage orthopedic patients from their first encounter in the office or emergency room through definitive treatment—operative or non-operative. The academic environment is just as strong. My co-residents present at national meetings, publish in top journals, and go on to positions that set them up to be future leaders in orthopedics. What stands out most, though, is the culture—working alongside people who push you to be better, who have your back, and who make the long days worthwhile. That sense of support runs through the entire program and continues long after residency through a strong alumni network. Add in the unmatched experience of living in New York City, and it’s clear—there’s no better place to train.
Dr. Michael Fields, '26
I chose Columbia/NYOH for residency because of the incredible people I would work with and the unmatched training opportunity it would provide. Our diverse faculty comprises compassionate leaders excited to share their knowledge with each other, their patients, and trainees. As residents here, we have the opportunity to learn from leaders who travel around the world to share their knowledge about the most up to date topics in orthopedics. Every day I am inspired by them as well as my coresidents, who are some of the hardest working passionate people I know. From starting their own global health initiatives, to being leaders on national committees, and presenting their research around the world, my co-residents never stop amazing me. But the greatest part about being a resident here is the culture. We all work so hard and look out for each other. I have made life-long friends. I am honored to be part of this community. As I start my chief year, I realized didn’t just chose to attend a residency program that has trained me to be a leader in the field but have also joined a family that I will forever be a part of wherever I go.
Dr. Anastasia Gazgalis, '26