I am a board certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in scoliosis and spine surgery in both children and adults. I have been practicing at the University of Rochester since 1994, and I have experience with minimally invasive surgery, scoliosis, spinal fusions and laminectomies as well as complex reconstructive spinal surgery. I have been lucky to take part in research teams investigating a range of questions in Orthopaedics from gene therapy to patient-based outcomes.

I am currently the Marjorie Strong Wehle Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics, and in that role I am responsible for overseeing musculoskeletal care at all UR Medicine facilities. My goal is to provide our patients with the accessible, excellent care for bone, joint, ligament and spine problems that we would want for our families. I look forward to helping your family!

Certified Specialties

Orthopaedic Surgery - American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Orthopaedics (SMD)

Chair - Department of Orthopaedics (SMD)

Marjorie Strong Wehle Professor in Orthopaedics - Department of Orthopaedics (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, University of Rochester Medical Center. 1993 - 1994

Residency, Hospital for Special Surgery. 1989 - 1993

Internship, Surgery (General Surgery), New York Hospital. 1988 - 1989

Education

MD | Weill Medical College of Cornell University. 1988

Awards

Distinguished Alumnus Award. 2021

Graduate of Distinction. 2010

Best Doctors in America for Spinal Surgery. 2009

Provost's Multidisciplinary Award. 2009

POCNY Research Prize. 1993

T. Campbell Thompson Prize in Orthopaedics. 1988

Alpha Omega Alpha. 1987

Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society. 1984

Research

I believe that participation in research helps orthopaedic surgeons stay current with new developments in our field, and fosters creative ways of looking at clinical problems. In my time at the University of Rochester I have participated in research teams that have investigated a broad range of topics including: laser light and gene therapy to restore cartilage, healing of bone bank bone grafts, disc degeneration, patient reported outcomes in spinal surgery, scoliosis, and the ways in which policy and economic disadvantage influence spine care in New York State. I am excited to continue studying the spine and working on innovations that benefit patients.

Research Lab

The Center for Musculoskeletal Research houses nearly 70 MD and PhD researchers and graduate and post-doctoral students. This team has been the top orthopaedics lab in the United States since 2006.

Visit Research Lab Website

Patents

Method For Introducing An Ultraviolet Light Activated Viral Vector Into The Spinal Column

Issue date: April 27, 2010

Patent #: 7,704,272

Country: United States

Inventors: Paul T Rubery, Edward Michael Schwarz

Light Probe for Ultraviolet Light Activated Gene Transduction

Issue date: April 17, 2008

Patent #: 2004209919

Country: Australia

Inventors: Thomas H Foster, Michael Maloney, Paul T Rubery, Edward Michael Schwarz

Light Activated Gene Transduction (LAGeT) for Cell Targeted Gene Delivery

Issue date: March 18, 2009

Patent #: CH1867715

Country: Switzerland/Liechtenstein