Robert N. Hotchkiss, MD
Renowned Orthopaedic Innovator and Hand & Upper Extremity Orthopedic Surgeon, Robert N. Hotchkiss, MD, presented the latest installment of the Ralph & Mary Wilson Visiting Professor Gift Lecture Series on March 26, 2026. UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine physicians, residents and fellows attended the presentation, along with students, as Dr. Hotchkiss focused on lecture topics including “Sideline care of the hand, wrist and elbow in football — from high school to the NFL” (The Importance of Trust), as well as “A new Total Elbow Replacement — a Work in Progress” (It’s not as dismal as you might think).
Dr. Robert Hotchkiss is the Medical Director of Clinical Research and holds the chair for Joel and Anne Bick Ehrenkranz in the Hand & Upper Extremity Research, and Medical Director of Innovation at the Hospital for Special Surgery. He specializes in the treatment of elbow injuries (arthritis and contractures in both children and adults), hand and wrist injuries and arthritis, and vascular disorders of the hand. Dr. Hotchkiss holds several patents in the field of orthopaedic devices that have been commercialized, and has developed software for clinical research that is currently in use in the US and the UK. He is an editor of the leading textbook of hand and upper extremity surgery.
Dr. Thomas (aka “Diesel”) Listopadzki, is pictured here, along with sports medicine attending physicians.
During the event, Dr. Thomas (aka “Diesel”) Listopadzki, a resident in his fourth year of clinical training at UB, was recognized as this year’s recipient of the Sports Medicine Service Resident Excellence Award. Presented annually, this award honors a second-, third- or fourth-year resident who best exemplifies the qualities essential to being an outstanding sports medicine physician. These qualities — including good communication, strong surgical skills, compassion and empathy, being a dedicated team player and assumption of leadership — are qualities fundamental across all orthopedic surgery subspecialties.
Dr. Listopadzki has consistently demonstrated strong clinical judgment, confidence in decision-making and the ability to perform effectively under pressure. He has proven himself to be highly knowledgeable, efficient and engaged, with an excellent attitude across all clinical settings. His communication skills have stood out, with a strong ability to clearly convey complex information to patients, staff and the broader care team. He is especially effective at presenting patients and their individual needs in a clear, concise and efficient manner — something consistently appreciated by colleagues. In short, Dr. Listopadzki has simply excelled in both the clinic and operating room, building strong rapport with patients, demonstrating strong technical skills, and maintaining consistent and thorough documentation.
The Department of Orthopaedics at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo is responsible for training five residents, two primary care sports fellows and two orthopaedic sports fellows per year.
The Ralph & Mary Wilson Visiting Professor Gift Lecture Series — a biannual symposium sponsored by a legacy grant — attracts some of the world’s most distinguished and renowned orthopaedics and sports medicine experts. These visiting professors help broaden the experience of the department’s young doctors, providing an “outside” perspective.
The legacy grant, which was originally awarded to the department in 2015 by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, also supports the educational efforts of the Department of Orthopaedics in the Sports Medicine Instruction Laboratory and is used to foster clinical and translational research.
