The distinguished faculty of the orthopedic residency program at Morristown Medical Center includes the physicians below.
Jim Wittig, MD
Program Director
James C. Wittig, MD is Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics, Morristown Medical Center, and Medical Director, Orthopedic Oncology, Atlantic Health System.
Dr. Wittig is responsible for ensuring outstanding quality, academic excellence, and optimal operational performance across Atlantic Health System’s six hospitals. Dr. Wittig is one of approximately 100 orthopedic oncologists in the nation. His work treating and researching pediatric and adult patients with bone and soft tissue cancers and benign tumors and metastatic cancers is internationally recognized. He is actively involved in clinical research, about which he lectures and publishes frequently. Dr. Wittig wrote and co-edited Techniques in Orthopedic Surgical Oncology—the sole textbook that details surgical procedures in orthopedic oncology.
Dr. Wittig previously served as Vice Chairman, Orthopedic Surgery; Chief of Orthopedic Oncology & Sarcoma Surgery (pediatric and adult) and Director, Skin & Sarcoma Division at Hackensack University Medical Center. Prior to that role, he served as chief of Orthopedic Oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center and practiced at NYU Medical Center and Hospital for Joint Diseases.
As assistant professor of orthopedic oncology at NYU Medical Center, he was elected Teacher of the Year from a department of 120 orthopedic surgeons. He frequently trains international residents and fellows from other countries who come to the United States specifically to learn Dr. Wittig's surgical techniques and his approach for diagnosing and treating patients with musculoskeletal tumors. He established the first orthopedic oncology clinic for indigent care in New York City at Bellevue Hospital Center and established the Sarcoma Service at NYU-Tisch Hospital where he also served as director of the sarcoma division of NYU Cancer Institute.
Dr. Wittig received his Bachelor of Science degree from Seton Hall University, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from New York University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in Manhattan where he served as chief resident, followed by a unique two-year fellowship at the Washington Cancer Institute of the Washington Hospital Center and Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. During fellowship, he served as Sarcoma Consultant to the Surgical and Pediatric Oncology Branches of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Dr. Wittig is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, New Jersey Orthopedic Society, New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Inc., and is a specialty fellow of the American Pediatric Association and the Medical Society of New Jersey.
Ellen Dean, MD
Associate Program Director
Board-certified in orthopedic surgery and fellowship-trained in pediatric orthopedic surgery, Ellen Dean, MD, is highly skilled in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries and conditions affecting children and young adults. Her special interests include sports medicine, pediatric and young adult trauma, disorders of the hip, clubfoot, and cerebral palsy.
Dr. Dean is the Chief of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at Morristown Medical Center, the top ranked orthopedic hospital in New Jersey. Patients with complex cases throughout the Northeast seek treatment with Dr. Dean because of her outstanding reputation. She has been invited to speak about musculoskeletal conditions on the national level and is instrumental in the education of orthopedic residents and fellows.
As a mother of five, she understands what it is to be a parent and she believes in treating every child as if they were one of her own. Dr. Dean takes a compassionate and personalized approach with each family to ensure that the treatment plan best serves their child’s individual needs.
Dr. Dean’s personal experience with sports injuries gives her a unique perspective on the physical and emotional aspects of sports medicine. As a former Division 1 All-American soccer player at the University of Tennessee, and a former professional soccer player in the Women’s United Soccer Association, she understands the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle and works to help young athletes return to their sports as quickly and safely as possible.
After completing her orthopedic training at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, Dr. Dean went on to specialize in pediatric and adolescent orthopedic surgery at the world-renowned Alfred I. DuPont Children’s Hospital. There she received the highest level of training which she has brought with her to her practice in New Jersey. She takes pride in serving her local community.
Michael A. Baskies, MD, FACS, FAAOS
Doctor Baskies specializes in the treatment of hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow disorders with expertise in microvascular and reconstruction surgery. He is the Chief of Hand Surgery at Morristown Medical Center and for Atlantic Health System.
Born in Boston, Dr. Baskies grew up in southern New Jersey. He graduated from Cherry Hill High School East, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He completed undergraduate studies and graduated cum laude from Union College, in Schenectady, New York. Just prior to finishing studies at Union, he was awarded the William E. Lasnik Prize for scholarship and character as a premedical student. He received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. At NYU, Dr. Baskies was the recipient of the Hilda Lipton Award as the medical student best embodying the Code of Maimonides. He completed his general surgery internship at NYU Medical Center and orthopaedic surgery residency at NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases. His formal training culminated with the Harvard Combined Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Baskies has published and presented research in topics related to orthopaedic surgery and hand surgery at several local, national, and international conferences.
He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Baskies has particular interests in trauma, sports-related injuries, and microsurgery.
Richard Schenk, MD is the Director of Orthopaedic Trauma at Morristown Medical Center.
Dr. Schenk completed his undergraduate education at Cornell University with a Dean's List distinction. He went on to earn his medical degree from Rutgers Medical School and was a research fellow at George Schultz Laboratories at Rutgers Medical School. He completed his Orthopaedic Residency at Rutgers Medical School and his fellowship in orthopaedic trauma and adult reconstruction at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Schenk has been practicing for 31 years as an orthopaedic traumatologist. He was an associate professor of orthopaedics at Rutgers Medical School from 1991 - 1995. He has been an attending orthopaedic surgeon at Morristown Medical Center since 1991 and became Director of Orthopaedic Trauma in 2000.
He is an active member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. He is also a member of AO/ASIF, Association for the Treatment of Internal Fixation and is a teaching faculty of AO/ASIF North America. He has taught numerous fracture courses nationally and internaionally.
Nick Avallone, MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, dual board-certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has clinical expertise treating patients with a wide variety of orthopedic disorders and sports injuries.
With more than 20 years of orthopedic surgical experience, Dr. Avallone provides compassionate care to patients of all ages, educating them about their condition, treatment plan, and how to avoid injuries going forward. He utilizes advanced techniques in minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to accelerate recovery time with reduced pain. He expertly performs arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and knee, including rotator cuff repairs and ACL reconstructions, as well as hand, wrist, elbow and ankle surgery and total shoulder replacement.
Dr. Avallone earned his medical degree at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden, NJ. He then performed an orthopedic surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, followed by a fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, NYC. Previously, he earned his baccalaureate degree in psychology from Princeton University. Prior to joining Atlantic Medical Group, Dr. Avallone served as head team physician for local high schools and colleges and was a clinical instructor of orthopedics for medical residents and graduate students. He has been recognized with several awards for his outstanding teaching and service to the community.
The winner of multiple Top Doctor awards, Dr. Avallone has presented at numerous conferences and authored publications in peer-reviewed journals. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and an active member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. He is part of Atlantic Medical Group and a participating provider of the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization.
Dr. Donald Adams is a distinguished orthopedic trauma surgeon currently practicing with Atlantic Orthopedic Associates. With a diverse and impressive background, he brings a unique blend of engineering and medical expertise to his field.
Dr. Adams began his educational journey at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. His passion for biomedical engineering led him to pursue a Master of Science in the same field, further expanding his knowledge and skill set.
Before venturing into the medical field, Dr. Adams held positions as an engineer with prestigious organizations, including NASA, the United States Army Biometric Task Force, and Automatic Switch Company. His contributions in the engineering world showcased his innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
In addition to his engineering endeavors, Dr. Adams served as an adjunct professor for the Department of Biomedical Engineering at NJIT, sharing his knowledge and nurturing the next generation of engineers.
His journey took a significant turn when he decided to pursue a career in medicine. He attended Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Driven by a desire to specialize in orthopedic surgery, he completed his residency at RWJ Barnabas - Jersey City Medical Center, honing his surgical skills and gaining valuable clinical experience.
Recognizing the importance of further specialization in trauma surgery, Dr. Adams pursued a fellowship in Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During this time, he worked closely with experts in the field and gained extensive expertise in handling complex orthopedic trauma cases.
Dr. Adams has made significant contributions to the medical community through his research and publications. He has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and contributed chapters to medical textbooks. Furthermore, he has presented his findings at various conferences, sharing his insights and innovations with fellow orthopedic surgeons.
With his background in engineering, dedication to education, and expertise in orthopedic trauma surgery, Dr. Donald Adams continues to make a profound impact on the field of orthopedics, providing exceptional care to his patients and contributing to advancements in the medical community.
Dr. David S. Levine is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee replacement surgery with Atlantic Medical Group Orthopedics at Rockaway. He is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
A fourth-generation osteopathic physician and the 19th member of his family to obtain a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, Dr. Levine carries on a long legacy of providing exceptional musculoskeletal care for patients and families in New Jersey. Having been fellowship-trained in hospital and outpatient hip and knee replacement surgery (adult reconstruction), Dr. Levine has the unique ability to perform anterior minimally invasive hip replacement surgery – a technique that spares muscles and tendons and minimizes the risk of post-operative weakness and complications. He has also been trained in anatomic knee replacement techniques, customized to each patient’s specific anatomy, allowing for a more natural working knee.
Before obtaining his medical degree at the world’s founding osteopathic school, A.T. Still University- Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri, Dr. Levine attended Muhlenberg College for his undergraduate education. He completed his internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine, then pursued his residency in orthopedic surgery at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. While at Rowan-SOM he was trained by many outstanding teaching physicians, including those from the prestigious Rothman Institute. Most recently, he completed an extra year of training in hip and knee replacement surgery during his fellowship with Dr. Randall Peyton in Sterling, VA.
Committed to state-of-the art care, Dr. Levine pursues continuing education and maintains membership in the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), among others.
Yvette Ho, MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in orthopedic oncology with Atlantic Medical Group (AMG). Board-certified in orthopedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, she has clinical expertise in evaluating and treating pediatric and adult patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas, metastatic disease and benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors of the extremities, pelvis and shoulder girdle. She is also certified in the use of the Mako robot for total/partial knee and total hip replacement. A compassionate caregiver, Dr. Ho uses minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible for easier recovery and fewer complications.
After earning her medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, Dr. Ho performed an orthopedic surgery residency and concurrent research residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. She then received additional specialized fellowship training in orthopedic oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Prior to joining AMG, she held positions as an orthopedic oncology surgeon in the Washington, DC metro area and Houston, TX.
The author of several publications in peer-reviewed medical journals, Dr. Ho has also presented multiple times at national and international medical conferences. She served as a co-investigator in research projects covering anti-cancer therapies in patients with solid tumors and creating 3-D cell cultures of sarcoma specimens. Dr. Ho also is very interested in educating the next generation of orthopedic surgeons, lecturing residents on various topics in orthopedic oncology.
Dr. Ho is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of the American Medical Association, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, Texas Medical Association, Harris County Medical Society, and the Maryland State Medical Society. She is a participating provider of the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization.
Dr. Goldberger is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the care of foot and ankle disorders and has been the director of the Foot & Ankle Center at Tri-County Orthopedics since 1998.
He grew up in West Orange, New Jersey. After graduating from Emory University, Dr. Goldberger received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College with honors in orthopedic surgery. Upon completing his orthopedic residency, Dr. Goldberger spent a year in fellowship training in foot and ankle surgery At the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Dr. Goldberger specializes in the treatment of tendon and ligament disorders in the ankle, including Achilles tendon, as well as traumatic injuries, including fractures. Dr Goldberger also specializes in reconstructive procedures, including ankle replacements, hallux valgus, and flat foot repair.
Dr. Goldberger is Vice President of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Arthritis Foundation. Additionally, since 2006, Dr. Goldberger has led a team of healthcare professionals to service homeless shelters with medical care and footwear each Thanksgiving.
In his free time, Dr. Goldberger enjoys spending time with his family and biking, fitness; he is also an avid sports fan. Through competitive basketball, he has a keen understanding of the needs of high-caliber athletes and weekend warriors.
