Orthopedic Hand Surgery Fellowship Faculty

Elizabeth Anne Ouellette, M.D., MBA, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon with a subspecialty board certification in Hand Surgery. Dr. Ouellette earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center and completed a General Surgery Internship at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She completed her Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of Washington School of Medicine and a Hand Surgery Fellowship Program at the University of Miami.

Dr. Ouellette specializes in treatments and surgeries of all complexities including wrist fractures, ligament tears, nerve injuries, joint instabilities, and small joint replacements. She has over 30 years of clinical experience treating athletes and people of all ages. Her experience includes teaching and mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows. She also serves in numerous clinical and academic leadership roles.

Dr. Ouellette’s research interests include wrist instability biomechanics, nerve injury repair, skin coverage, and psychological intervention for upper extremity trauma patients. She is widely published in peer-reviewed medical journals and is an invited speaker at national and international academic symposiums.

View a list of publications in the Baptist Health Expert Gallery: Selected Works - Elizabeth Ouellette (bepress.com)

Education & Training

• University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital - Fellowship Program, Surgery, Hand
• University of Washington School of Medicine - Residency Program, Orthopaedic Surgery
• University of Washington School of Medicine - Internship Program, General Surgery
• University of Texas Health Science Center (San Antonio) - Medical School, MD

Board Certifications

• Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
• Surgery of the Hand - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Roy Cardoso, M.D., FACS, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in conditions of the hand and upper extremity. Dr. Cardoso obtained his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He completed his General Surgery Internship at the Tulane University School of Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of California Medical Center, and a Hand Surgery Fellowship Program at the Wake Forest Baptist Health.

Dr. Cardoso was an assistant professor of the hand and upper extremity surgery department at the University of Miami for three years where he assisted in training residents and fellows. Dr. Cardoso’s clinical interests are surgeries of the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, complex elbow reconstruction, peripheral nerve injury, and brachial plexus injury. He has lectured nationally and internationally on a range of topics including brachial plexus, wrist, and elbow injuries.

He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

View a list of publications in the Baptist Health Expert Gallery: Selected Works - Roy Cardoso (bepress.com)

Education & Training

• Wake Forest Baptist Health - Fellowship Program, Surgery, Hand
• University of California Medical Center (Davis) - Residency Program, Orthopaedic Surgery
• Tulane University Health Sciences Center - Residency Program, Orthopaedic Surgery
• Tulane University School of Medicine - Internship Program, Surgery, General
• George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences - Medical School, MD

Board Certifications

• Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
• Surgery of the Hand - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Matthew D. Treiser, M.D., Ph.D., is a fellowship-trained, board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at the Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida. Dr. Treiser earned his medical degree from the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He completed his Plastic Surgery Residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a Hand Surgery Fellowship Program at the Union Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Treiser specializes in plastic & reconstructive surgery as well as hand surgery. He offers a variety of services for patients including treatment of oncologic and non-oncologic injuries, hand fractures, and peripheral nerve conditions. A testament to his expertise in reconstructive surgery, Dr. Treiser has participated in numerous hand transplant surgeries and was part of the team performing the first penile transplant in the United States.

Prior to joining the Miami Cancer Institute, Dr. Treiser served as an assistant professor for plastic and reconstructive surgery in addition to hand and microsurgery at the Montefiore Medical Center in Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

View a list of publications in the Baptist Health Expert Gallery: Selected Works - Matthew Treiser (bepress.com)

Education & Training

• Union Memorial Hospital - Fellowship Program, Surgery, Hand
• Brigham and Women's Hospital - Residency Program, Surgery, Plastic
• Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Medical School, MD

Board Certifications

• Plastic Surgery - American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Surgery of the Hand - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Dalibel Bravo, M.D., is a fellowship-trained, board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon. Dr. Bravo earned her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She completed her Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the New York University Langone Orthopedic Hospital where she participated in the clinical-scientist track which focused on the study of various medications that may enhance fracture healing. She completed an Orthopedic Hand Surgery Fellowship Program at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and a Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship at the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. She obtained a master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Mayo Clinic where she focused on hand surgery.

Dr. Bravo specializes in hand, wrist, shoulder, and elbow surgeries. Her specialization extends to using the Wide-awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) technique which provides patients the option to have surgery without general anesthesia, allows for less time in the hospital, and improves surgical outcomes.

Dr. Bravo was born in Miami and raised in Puerto Rico. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and French.

View a list of publications in the Baptist Health Expert Gallery: SelectedWorks - Dalibel Bravo (bepress.com)

Education & Training

• Thomas Jefferson University Hospital - Fellowship Program, Surgery, Orthopaedic Hand
• NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital - Residency Program, Orthopaedic Surgery
• University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine (San Juan) - Medical School, MD

Board Certification

• Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

John W. Uribe, M.D., is a fellowship-trained, board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon with a subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine. Dr. Uribe earned his medical degree and General Surgery Internship from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. He completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of Miami and an Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Hughston Clinic.

Dr. Uribe is the Chief Medical Executive for the Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute, and founder of the longstanding Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship program. He was also a founding member of the UHZ Sports Medicine Institute. Dr. Uribe specializes in sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, and minimally invasive surgical procedures for degenerative conditions of the shoulder, elbow, and knee. His research interests include minimally invasive resurfacing techniques of the knee and shoulder as well as ligament and tendon restoration.

Additionally, Dr. Uribe is the Medical Director for the Miami Dolphins and Head Team Physician for the Florida Panthers. He is a professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

View a list of publications in the Baptist Health Expert Gallery: Selected Works - John W. Uribe (bepress.com)

Education & Training

• Hughston Orthopedic Clinic Sports Medicine - Fellowship Program, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
• University of Miami/Jackson Health System - Residency Program, Orthopedic Surgery
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Internship Program, General Surgery
• University of North Carolina School of Medicine- Medical School, MD

Board Certification

• Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Keith Hechtman, M.D. is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine. Dr. Hechtman obtained his medical degree, completed his General Surgery Internship, Orthopedic Surgery Residency, and an Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of Miami where he was Dr. Uribe’s first fellow.

Dr. Hechtman specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle. He has been teaching fellows and residents for over 31 years. Dr. Hechtman is the Head Team Physician for Florida International University and is a professor in the Department of Orthopedics at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. He also serves as a Clinical Instructor for physician assistants and athletic trainers at Barry University, Miami Dade College, and Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Hechtman was a founding member of the UHZ Sports Medicine Institute. He assisted in establishing a relationship between Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Doctors Hospital to enhance the healthcare of student-athletes.

View a list of publications in the Baptist Health Expert Gallery: Selected Works - Keith Hechtman (bepress.com)

Education & Training

• University of Miami – Fellowship Program, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
• University of Miami/Jackson Health System – Residency Program, Orthopedic Surgery Residency
• University of Miami – Internship Program, General Surgery
• University of Miami School of Medicine – Medical School, MD

Board Certifications

• Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
• Orthopaedic Sports Medicine - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Gautam Yagnik, M.D., is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine. Dr. Yagnik earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh where he graduated at the top of his class and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of Pennsylvania where he was elected Administrative Chief Resident and was given the Willard Award for the most outstanding resident. Dr. Yagnik completed his Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship in our institution an he is currently the program director.

Dr. Yagnik specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, and knee. He is Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at West Kendall Baptist Hospital. He also serves as a Team Physician for the Miami Dolphins and the Florida Panthers.

View a list of publications in the Baptist Health Expert Gallery: Selected Works - Gautam Yagnik (bepress.com)

Education & Training

• UHZ Sports Medicine Institute - Fellowship Program, Orthopedic Sports Medicine
• University of Pennsylvania - Residency Program, Orthopedic Surgery
• University of Pittsburgh - School of Medicine, Medical School, MD

Board Certifications

• Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
• Orthopaedic Sports Medicine - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

John Zvijac, M.D., is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine. Dr. Zvijac earned his medical degree from the State University of New York Buffalo School of Medicine. He completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of Miami and an Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute.

Dr. Zvijac is a founding partner of UHZ Sports Medicine Institute. He specializes in sports medicine and surgery of the shoulder, elbow, and knee.

View a list of publications in the Baptist Health Expert Gallery: Selected Works - John Zvijac (bepress.com)

Education & Training

• American Sports Medicine Institute (Trinity) – Fellowship Program, Orthopedic Sports Medicine
• University of Miami/Jackson Health System, Residency Program, Orthopedic Surgery
• University of Miami School of Medicine – Internship Program, General Surgery
• University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - Medical School, MD

Board Certifications

• Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
• Orthopaedic Sports Medicine - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Charles Jordan, M.D., is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Jordan earned his medical degree from the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He completed his General Surgery Internship at the New York University Medical Center, his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the New York University Langone Orthopedic Hospital, and an Orthopedic Trauma Fellowship Program at the Tampa General Hospital.

Dr. Jordan specializes in orthopedic trauma and general orthopedic surgery. His areas of expertise include complex fractures and musculoskeletal injuries, upper and lower extremity reconstruction, and chronic post-traumatic orthopedic conditions.

Dr. Jordan has lectured nationally and internationally on orthopedic injuries. He has published his research in leading medical journals and medical textbooks on orthopedic treatments and surgical techniques.

Dr. Jordan served as a physician for the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and New York City Public School Athletic League. He is currently an Assistant Team Physician for the Florida Panthers hockey team.

Education & Training

• Tampa General Hospital - Fellowship Program, Orthopedic Trauma
• NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital - Residency Program, Orthopaedic Surgery
• New York University Medical Center (New York City) - Internship Program, Surgery, General
• Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (Newark) - Medical School, MD

Board Certification

• Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Howard Bar-Eli, M.D., is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Bar-Eli earned his medical degree, completed his General Surgery Internship, and an Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School where he served as Chief Resident. He completed an Orthopedic Trauma Fellowship Program at the University of Miami.

Dr. Bar-Eli specializes in trauma. He treats all types of injuries. He has unique expertise and training to treat complex orthopedic problems. Dr. Bar-Eli provides comprehensive treatment for early stabilization of fractures, preservation of nerves and blood vessels, soft tissue loss, and aggressive rehabilitation to heal fractured bones and restore the anatomic alignment of joint surfaces and return patients to maximum function.

Dr. Bar-Eli has been published in textbook and orthopedic journals on topics that enhance the efficacy of treatments patient outcomes.

He was a Team Physician for the Rutgers University and multiple high school football teams in New Jersey.

Education & Training

• University of Miami Miller School of Medicine - Fellowship Program, Orthopedic Trauma
• Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Residency Program, Orthopaedic Surgery
• Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Internship Program, Surgery, General
• Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Medical School, MD

Board Certification

• Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Rafael J. Diaz-Garcia, M.D., FACS, is a fellowship-trained, board certified orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgeon. Dr. Diaz-Garcia earned his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and a master’s degree in healthcare management at the Johns Hopkins University – Carey Business School. He completed a general surgery internship and a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Michigan Health Systems. His postdoctoral training also includes an orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

He specializes in peripheral nerve surgery to treat neuropathic pain, nerve compression (carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, radial tunnel, etc.), nerve lacerations/injuries as well as brachial plexus pathology, including neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. His clinical interests include the care of high-level athletes, arthroscopy and arthroplasty of the hand and wrist, arthritis, spasticity, treatment of rheumatologic diseases and microsurgical treatment of vascular insufficiency in the upper extremity.

Prior to joining Baptist Health, Dr. Diaz-Garcia was the director of medical operations and chief of plastic surgery at Allegheny Health Network, in Pittsburgh, Pa. He also served as a clinical associate professor of plastic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Education & Training

• University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Fellowship Program, Orthopaedic Hand Surgery
• University of Michigan Medical Center - Residency Program, Plastic Surgery
• Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) - Medical School, MD

Giovanni Paraliticci, M.D., is a fellowship-trained, board certified Orthopedic Surgeon. Dr. Paraliticci completed his medical degree, General Surgery Internship, and an Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of Puerto Rico. He completed a Musculoskeletal Oncology Fellowship at the University of Miami and an Adult Hip & Knee Reconstruction Fellowship at the Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute.

Dr. Paraliticci specializes in orthopedic surgical oncology at the Miami Cancer Institute and is an Orthopedic Surgeon with the Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute. His specialization extends to surgical treatment of musculoskeletal tumors, soft tissue tumors, and metastatic lesions. He also treats oncologic patients with orthopedic problems including fractures, arthritis, avascular necrosis, and osteoporosis.

Dr. Paraliticci has extensive training and experience in surgical management of arthritic conditions of the hip and knee. He is skilled in procedures including primary and revision total knee and hip arthroplasty, partial knee arthroplasty, custom knee replacements, and robotics. Dr. Paraliticci’s goal is to maximize the function of each patient with advanced surgical and reconstructive techniques.

Education & Training

• Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute - Fellowship Program, Adult Hip & Knee Reconstruction
• University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital - Fellowship Program, Musculoskeletal Oncology
• University of Puerto Rico - Residency Program, Orthopaedic Surgery
• University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus - Internship, General Surgery
• University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine (San Juan) - Medical School, MD

Board Certification

• Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Jose Mena, M.D., is a fellowship-trained, board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Dr. Mena earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine (San Juan). He completed his Internal Medicine Internship at VA Caribbean Healthcare System, his Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency at Boston Medical Center. He completed a Pain Medicine Fellowship Program at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Dr. Mena specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation (physiatry), diagnosing and treating spine and back injuries, diseases, and disorders. He currently serves as the team pain physician for the Miami Dolphins. Dr. Mena offers a variety of minimally invasive and noninvasive procedures to treat back problems, including sacroplasty for sacrum fractures, vertebral augmentation (balloon kyphoplasty and spine jack) for spine fractures, transforaminal epidural steroid injections, facet joint interventions including radiofrequency neurotomy, sacroiliac joint injection, ultrasound-guided and fluoroscopically-guided injection of the peripheral joint, bursa injections and electrodiagnostic studies, including nerve conduction studies and electromyograms (EMG).

Education & Training

• University of Louisville School of Medicine, Fellowship Program, Pain Medicine
• Boston Medical Center, Residency Program, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
• VA Caribbean Healthcare System, Internship Program, Internal Medicine
• University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine (San Juan), Medical School, MD

Board Certifications

• Pain Medicine, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Annie C. Weber, M.D. is a fellowship-trained, orthopedic hand surgeon. She earned her medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, and completed an orthopaedic Surgery residency program at University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Weber completed her hand and upper extremity fellowship at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Dr Weber specializes in fracture management, arthritis, nerve compression, joint replacement and microsurgery.

Education & Training

• Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center - Fellowship Program, Orthopaedic Hand Surgery
• University of Maryland Medical Center - Residency Program, Orthopaedic Surgery
• University of Maryland School of Medicine - Medical School, MD

Aaron Berger, M.D. is a fellowship-trained, board certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. Dr. Berger earned his medical degree in Experimental Pathology from the Medical Scientist Training Program at Yale University. He completed his Plastic Surgery Residency at the Stanford University Medical Center and a Hand Surgery and Microsurgery Fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center.

Currently, Dr. Berger serves as Chief of the Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Nicklaus Children's Pediatric Specialists (NCPS). He is Medical Director of the Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Program, Pediatric Hand Program, and the Wound Care Program at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Dr. Berger was selected as the first recipient of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand’s International Hand Surgery Fellowship. During his fellowship, he trained at centers of excellence in China for the treatment of brachial plexus and other peripheral nerve injuries, complex extremity trauma, and congenital differences of the upper extremity.

Dr. Berger was trained in all aspects of plastic surgery and his main surgical interests are in reconstructive surgery of the hand and extremities including microsurgical reconstruction. His clinical practice is dedicated to the treatment of congenital hand and arm differences, brachial plexus injuries, and reconstructive plastic surgery. Dr. Berger works in partnership with a multidisciplinary team at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and its network of outpatient centers to provide evaluation and care of patients with congenital hand/arm differences, brachial plexus injuries, finger/hand amputations, tendon/nerve injuries, burn injuries, post-oncologic deformities and trauma-related injuries, including fractures/dislocations of the hand and wrist.

Education & Training

• UCLA Medical Center - Fellowship Program, Hand Surgery, Microsurgery
• Stanford University Hospital - Residency Program, Plastic Surgery
• Yale University School of Medicine - Medical School, MD

Board Certifications

• Plastic Surgery - American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Hand Surgery - American Board of Plastic Surgery