Dr. Douglas Padgett Named HSS Surgeon-in-Chief & Medical Director

Douglas E. Padgett, M.D. has been named the next surgeon-in-chief and medical director of New York, New York-based Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), a leading medical center for musculoskeletal health.

Dr. Padgett will assume the positions when Bryan Kelly, M.D., MBA transitions to chief executive officer later this year. Dr. Kelly is succeeding Louis Shapiro in a phased transition. For OTW’s coverage of Dr. Kelly’s transition, see “Dr. Bryan Kelly to Lead HSS as President and CEO.”

Shapiro said, “Dr. Padgett was Chief of the Hip Service when I arrived at HSS in 2006, and since that time has emerged as a beacon of leadership and the values and purpose of the organization.”

Shapiro continued, “It has been my priority to leave the people and patients of HSS today and tomorrow in the very best of hands, and I can think of no leaders more able and worthy than Dr. Padgett and Dr. Kelly.”

In addition to being an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Padgett is also an educator and researcher. His expertise and experience include joint reconstruction technologies, clinical outcomes, and biomaterials.

Dr. Padgett is chief emeritus of the adult reconstruction and joint replacement service at HSS and has served as HSS associate surgeon-in-chief since 2019. He is also the professor of orthopedic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, New York. Dr. Padgett is an active member in a number of professional organizations including The Hip Society and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.

His legacy at HSS began when he arrived as an orthopedic surgery resident in 1985. Prior to that, per the press release, he “earned the Naval Achievement Medal for meritorious service as a battalion surgeon in U.S. combat operations.”

In the press release, Dr. Padgett said, “I am deeply humbled by this honor and responsibility, and mindful of the giants on whose shoulders I will stand and those with whom I am privileged to serve alongside.”

Dr. Padgett added, “We will continue to advance the quality and reliability of patient outcomes, and the field of musculoskeletal health worldwide, through focused excellence in research, education, innovation and clinical care.”