The Breakdown with Rothman Orthopaedics

Third time’s the charm as we celebrate our 3rd annual Valentine’s Day Show on another episode of “The Breakdown” podcast. This episode features Rothman Orthopaedics’ President & Spine Surgeon, Dr. Alex Vaccaro, along with Lauren DeRitis, Patient Experience Specialist (and wife of Dr. Vaccaro). Hear them discuss lessons on working together, why they have different last names, and, of course, their answers from another installment of our spin-on The Newlywed Game!

It’s the holiday season, so that means it’s go-time for Dr. Melody Hrubes, non-operative sports medicine physician at Rothman and Medical Director of the Radio City Rockettes! “The Breakdown” catches up with her as she talks her medical director role, caring for performing art athletes as well as her favorite holiday traditions.

Rothman Orthopaedics is the Official Orthopaedic Partner and Provider of The Radio City Rockettes.

“The Breakdown” takes a walk down memory lane with a couple of Rothman Orthopaedics physicians who have been here since the beginning and very much a part of the practice’s growth and success. Learn about Rothman’s past, present and future from Dr. Alex Vaccaro, (president and spine surgeon) and Dr. Michael Ciccotti (chief of sports medicine) as well as some of their amazing memories of Dr. Rothman.

In March at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Asif Ilyas, director of the Rothman Opioid Foundation and Dr. Ari Greis, director of the Medical Cannabis Department, both from Rothman Orthopaedics, presented studies that determined cannabis use can actually reduce opioid usage with those who suffer from back pain and osteoarthritis. We’ll delve into their research and find out why their results are getting so much national and international fanfare.

March is Women’s History Month, and “The Breakdown” is lucky enough to celebrate it  with an episode surrounding the subject. This episode features three members of Rothman’s leadership team—Betsy Duffy, Chelsey Conway and Nicole Coleman—who discuss their respective journeys to their current positions as vice presidents at Rothman, work-life balance and their opinions on why there are less females in senior roles. Plus they’ll answer the most common questions from the Rothman Orthopaedics employees about being a women in a leadership role.

A belated—but FUN—Valentine’s Day episode for “The Breakdown” featuring another one of Rothman’s married physician couples, Dr. Shailen Woods, physical medicine & rehabilitation specialist, and Dr. Barrett Woods, spine surgeon. Find out how and where they met, working together and yes, they played “The Breakdown’s” version of “ The Newlywed Game”.

Are you a weekend warrior or know somebody who is? If so, then you don’t want to miss this! This episode features guest co-host, Marc Farzetta of “The Farzy Show” and Rothman’s chief of non-operative sports medicine, Dr. Stephen Stache, Jr. as we answer those burning questions including ice vs. heat, home remedies and recovery. PLUS “The Breakdown’s” very first podcast giveaway! Listen all the way through to find out how you + a guest could win courtside tickets to a Sixers vs. Clippers game in January.

In the field of orthopaedics, we know there are some common myths that have stood the test of time. To help debunk some of those questionable myths and statements, this episode will feature Rothman specialists Dr. Meghan Bishop, sports medicine surgeon; Dr. Michael Hawks, trauma & fracture care surgeon; and Dr. Arjun Saxena, joint replacement surgeon, who will shed some light on common orthopaedic misconceptions.

One of the biggest concerns we hear from patients is that orthopaedic specialists will resort to surgical options first and foremost to treat issues and here at Rothman, that is simply not the case. To help shed some light on non-operative treatment options and why patients and physicians should always consider nonsurgical methods first, this episode will feature an upfront conversation with Rothman Orthopaedic specialists, Dr. Faith Schick, podiatrist; Dr. Saloni Sharma, physician medicine & rehabilitation specialist; and Dr. Michelle Mullins, non-operative sports medicine specialist.

Dr. Daryl Osbahr, Managing Director and Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery of Rothman – Florida as well as Co-Chief Medical Officer of USA Baseball, is getting ready to hit the road with Team USA as they compete in the Tokyo Olympics. Hear from him about his experiences leading up to the games, his favorite Olympic sport and what he’s most looking forward to during the competition.

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a surgeon in the operating room or how they prepare for a long day of cases? Then this is the episode for you! Episode six of “The Breakdown” features a roundtable discussion with Rothman surgeons Dr. Atif Ahmed, orthopaedic trauma & fracture care surgeon at  Rothman - Florida; Dr. Chad Krueger, joint replacement surgeon in Greater Philadelphia; and Dr. Dan Seigerman, hand & wrist surgeon at Rothman – New York.

Play ball! Rothman Orthopaedics is the official orthopaedic partner and the team physicians for the Philadelphia Phillies, so episode five features conversations with Dr. Michael Ciccotti, Dr. Marc Harwood and Dr. Steve Cohen—three of Rothman’s own sports medicine physicians who also serve as team doctors for the Philadelphia Phillies—and what it’s like to treat the some of the world’s most elite athletes on the highest level. Come for the informative chat with some of the best sports medicine physicians in the game; stay for the fun, baseball-themed rapid fire questions!

March is National Athletic Training Month and to celebrate, The Breakdown features two of Rothman’s own certified athletic trainers, Kathy Moran and Jamie Toldero (1:16). Medical Incredible is back this episode, and Dr. Brad Tucker (22:46), sports medicine surgeon at Rothman, discusses why a female athlete underwent a ligament reconstruction, boney realignment and cartilage transplant of her knee due to repeated knee cap dislocations.

March is Women’s History Month and in celebration, “The Breakdown” features four of Rothman’s own female physicians—in two separate conversations—on their personal experiences as women in the field of orthopaedics:

· 1:43 - Dr. Meghan Bishop, sports medicine surgeon and Dr. Melody Hrubes, non-operative sports medicine physician

· 19:32 - Dr. Sommer Hammoud, sports medicine surgeon and Dr. Rachel Shakked, foot & ankle surgeon

Lastly, Dr. Alex Vaccaro (43:05), president of Rothman Orthopaedics, discusses why it’s important to have diversity in orthopaedics and how Rothman is doing their part.

In a Valentine’s Day themed episode, Dr. Madi Dholakia and Dr. Anupam Sinha (1:30), physical medicine & rehabilitation physicians, discuss what’s it like to be married as well as work together at Rothman Orthopaedics. Plus they play “The Newlywed Game: The Breakdown Edition!”

Dr. Barrett Woods (20:40), spine surgeon, walks us through his “Medical Incredible,” a patient who had a major spinal cord injury and unable to move. Thanks to Dr. Woods and his team, the patient was able to walk into his follow-up appointment six weeks later. Dr. Woods is also married to another Rothman Orthopaedics physician so he lets everyone in on that, as well!

On the first episode of “The Breakdown,” (1:30) Dr. Alex Vaccaro, President of Rothman Orthopaedics, gives a year in review and how he’s approaching 2021; Dr. Danielle Ponzio, (21:02) Joint Replacement Surgeon at Rothman Orthopaedics talks about being the first surgeon to perform a same-day joint surgery at the AtlantiCare Center for Orthopaedic Surgery; (35:01) and Dr. Asif Ilyas, Hand & Wrist Surgeon at Rothman Orthopaedics, discusses the Wide Awake Surgery. For more information, visit RothmanOrtho.com.