Patients of all ages and activity levels know that they can find premier orthopedic care at The Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey, a practice that provides state-of-the-art musculo-skeletal treatment in seven main locations, three urgent care centers, and two satellite offices. They will be pleased to learn — but not surprised — that the practice has the distinction of being the orthopedic practice with the highest number of Top Docs in the region for 2019.

“The physicians, the nurses, and the entire staff are a tremendous group of people — caring, knowledgeable, and willing to do whatever it takes to get the answers to questions that are asked. They are listed among New Jersey Top Docs for a very good reason!” says Linda Waas, whose husband and son were both patients at OINJ.

The endorsement of Top Docs is especially meaningful because it is based on doctor-to-doctor recommendations. Compiled from the results of a peer review questionnaire commissioned by New Jersey Monthly, every doctor who has been licensed to practice medicine in New Jersey for at least five years is surveyed; the doctors are asked to select the physicians they would choose to treat their own family members.

“It’s an extraordinary honor to be chosen by our peers in this way,” says Dr. Robert DeFalco, Jr., a board certified orthopedic surgeon who is an eight-time winner. “It makes us proud — and humble — at the same time. And to have nine of our practitioners receive this distinction — it gives us true professional validation, knowing that the expertise we provide is recognized and appreciated.”

His colleagues and fellow Top Docs at OINJ, which serves Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties in New Jersey as well as eastern Pennsylvania, include Drs. Stephen Koss and Paul G. Teja, who, like DeFalco, are board certified orthopedic surgeons who specialize in sports medicine and treatments of the shoulder, knee, and hip.

The six other doctors who garnered this honor represent a small galaxy of specialties, showing the depth of expertise available in the practice. Dr. Frank J. Corrigan has subspecialty certification in surgery of the hand and also treats conditions of the upper extremities. Dr. Kevin White specializes in complex foot and ankle surgeries, and Drs. Christopher Castro and Michael S. Gutkin are skilled interventional pain management physicians with expertise in physical medicine and rehabilitation as well as spine care. Dr. Jason Wu, who is double board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology, provides specialized care for rheumatic conditions including arthritis, osteoporosis, and scleroderma. Dr. Benham Salari is a double-fellowship trained spine surgeon.

Together, these doctors have earned the Top Doc distinction 52 times.

“Our practice treats all kinds and ages of patients, and we’re here to pay attention to all their concerns. We’re just as likely to work with a person who slipped on the ice or fell off a ladder as we are to help a professional or amateur athlete get back on the field. And we see a lot of sports injuries, from kids to adults,” says Dr. White, a seven-time winner. “We’re here to help everyone regain mobility and get back to the life they’re used to living.