EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island Hospital Medical Staff Association recently awarded University Orthopedics president, Dr. Edward Akelman, with the 2025 Milton W. Hamolsky, MD Outstanding Physician of the Year Award.
Named for a founding figure in the development of Brown University’s medical school, the award is the highest honor bestowed by the Rhode Island Hospital medical staff. It recognizes physicians who demonstrate exceptional clinical skill, leadership, professionalism, and dedication to the practice of medicine.
In addition to his duties as president of University Orthopedics, Dr. Akelman serves as chairman of the Orthopaedic Departments at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, and Miriam Hospital. A nationally respected, board-certified expert in his field, Dr. Akelman treats a wide range of upper extremity conditions and disorders.
Dr. Akelman’s longstanding commitment to patient care, medical education, and surgical excellence has had a profound and lasting impact on both his patients and colleagues.
“Dr. Akelman’s commitment to teaching and patient care has been inspiring since my first day working with him during my PGY-2 year,” said UOI Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeon Dr. Joseph Gil, one of the nominating physicians. “His patience, particularly as he guided me through my first LRTI procedure, left a lasting impression on my development as a physician. He consistently demonstrates the importance of forming meaningful, personal connections with patients—an approach I continue to emphasize with residents and fellows today.”
The Physician of the Year award was virtually presented to Dr. Akelman at the Medical Staff Association’s annual meeting on January 21, 2026, with an in-person celebration planned during the Biannual Meeting in September 2026.
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About University Orthopedics
University Orthopedics (UOI, universityorthopedics.com), with clinic locations in Rhode Island (Cranston, Cumberland, East Greenwich, East Providence, Johnston, Providence, Middletown, North Providence, Portsmouth, and Westerly) and Massachusetts (Mansfield, North Easton, Plymouth, and Raynham), is a regional center for orthopedics, sports medicine, and rehabilitation. UOI includes more than 65 board-certified orthopedic, fellowship-trained musculoskeletal, and sports medicine physicians. These specialists are faculty members of the Department of Orthopaedics at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University teaching medical students, orthopedic residents, and fellowship sub-specialty surgeons.
