Leading Orthopedic Care into the Future: Q & A With Baptist Health Orthopedic Care Executives

Baptist Health Orthopedic Care is ranked in the top 50 best orthopedic hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The program is also rated by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s best hospitals for hip replacement surgery and knee replacement surgery.

Under the direction of Chief Medical Executive John Uribe, M.D., and Deputy Chief Medical Executive Anthony Miniaci, M.D., Baptist Health Orthopedic Care continues to expand its presence in South Florida and pioneer innovations in orthopedic medicine that unlock better treatment options for patients with musculoskeletal disorders.

Dr. Uribe is a dual Board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery and minimally invasive surgical procedures for degenerative conditions of the knee, shoulder and elbow. He is the team physician for the Florida Panthers and Miami Dolphins. He also serves as chairman of the department of orthopedics for Florida International University's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. 

Dr. Miniaci is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and shoulder and knee surgery. His patented, industry-leading technology offers patients a less invasive shoulder surgery using hardware uniquely designed for the complex shoulder joint. At Baptist Health, he leads a team of surgeons actively involved in clinical research to improve patient outcomes worldwide.

The two executives sat down to answer questions about their careers and continued efforts to steer Baptist Health Orthopedic Care into a bright future of discovery, innovation and invention.

(Watch Speaking from the Hip from Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, featuring Chief Medical Executive John Uribe, M.D., and Deputy Chief Medical Executive Anthony Miniaci, M.D. The host is Reggie Laroche, assistant vice president with for Baptist Health Orthopedic Care.)

Q: How did you decide to become an orthopedic surgeon?

A: Dr. Uribe – As a medical student at the University of North Carolina, I had the opportunity as a third- and fourth-year resident to rotate through orthopedics. I realized then that the musculoskeletal system was the part of the body that really interested me.

A: Dr. Miniaci – I was a relatively good athlete and played soccer when I was much younger. I had an injury that ended my aspirations of continuing to play soccer. After that setback, I decided to go into medicine. While attending the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada, I met a few world-renowned orthopedic sports medicine surgeons who took me under their wings. I attended their sports medicine clinics, and they encouraged me to specialize in orthopedics.

Q: How did you get into treating athletes?

A: Dr. Uribe – I first began treating athletes through the sports medicine program at the University of North Carolina. While serving as lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and chief of orthopedics at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, I was recruited by University of Miami football to serve as the team physician. This was during their peak of success in the 1980s, so this was a wonderful experience. During my tenure, UM coach Jimmy Johnson introduced me to Dolphins coach Don Shula, who recruited me to take care of the Dolphins team. And my relationship with the Dolphins continues today!

A: Dr. Miniaci – Prior to joining Baptist Health, I worked for Cleveland Clinic for nearly 20 years, serving as a surgeon at the Sports Health Center in Cleveland and Cleveland Clinic Canada in Toronto. I treated high-profile Olympic and professional athletes, including players from the National Hockey League, National Football League and Major League Baseball. I also served as head team physician for the Cleveland Browns and orthopedic consultant to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Q: Baptist Health Orthopedic Care provide sports medicine services for professional athletes, including the Miami Dolphins, Miami HEAT, Florida Panthers, InterMiami CF as well as high school and collegiate athletic programs and international sporting events. The physicians and support staff also treat professional and Olympic athletes from around the world. What does this mean for people in the community?

A: Dr. Uribe – Our services are not limited to elite competitors; everyone in South Florida has access to the same exceptional standard of care at Baptist Health Orthopedic Care. Since professional athletes represent the highest level of human performance, our success in maintaining their ability to do their job and perform in their sport is a testament to what we can do in sports medicine and orthopedics. It demonstrates the excellence of care patients can expect. I think the confidence that these professional athletes have in our care team gives patients more confidence when turning to us to treat their musculoskeletal disorders.

A: Dr. Miniaci – I've learned over the years that even though pro athletes compete at a higher level, it is important that we take care of our high school athletes, college athletes and community members in the same manner. I think that a consistently high level of excellence is what makes a successful orthopedic practice.

Q: What differentiates Baptist Health Orthopedic Care from other orthopedic centers?

A: Dr. Uribe – First and foremost, it is the comprehensive care we provide. Orthopedic surgeons use several methods to treat patients in all aspects of their musculoskeletal disorders. Surgery is one of these methods, in addition to other medical, physical and rehabilitation techniques. Our highly skilled physicians specialize in the different joints and different treatment applications for orthopedic disorders. And our team members collaborate to treat a patient’s disorder in a very specialized way.

A: Dr. Miniaci – When I was making my decision earlier this year about coming to Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, the excellence of care that exists here stood out to me and set the program apart from others. I was also impressed by Baptist Health’s commitment to growing the orthopedic program and providing the resources we need to elevate it to national levels. The commitment of the communities also amazed me. Baptist Health Orthopedic Care continues to grow in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, and the community is engaged and embracing this growth.

Q: What does the future look like for Baptist Health Orthopedic Care?

A: Dr. Uribe – Dr. Miniaci’s outstanding surgical abilities, innovative research and experienced leadership will help lead our orthopedic expansion efforts, especially in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Our program is more established in Miami-Dade County, and our goal is to have that continuum of excellent care throughout our system and the South Florida community. Dr. Miniaci and I are both committed to recruiting the very best physicians — not just physicians who are the best trained, but those who are great people. That is part of our exceptional reputation. Our doctors and support staff are highly skilled, but they are also good, compassionate people.

A: Dr. Miniaci – Baptist Health Orthopedic Care is committed to recruiting the best individuals, increasing our academic focus and growing our presence in Broward and Palm Beach counties. And we will continue to coordinate the very best care using the newest, cutting-edge techniques and technology to produce better outcomes for our patients.