James C. Wittig, M.D.: New Chair of Morristown Medical Center

Renowned surgeon James C. Wittig, M.D., author of the only textbook detailing surgical procedures in orthopedic oncology, has been appointed Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics, Morristown Medical Center, and Medical Director, Orthopedic Oncology, Atlantic Health System, in Morristown, New Jersey.

Dr. Wittig will oversee operations in Atlantic Health System’s six hospitals.

According to the hospital, “Dr. Wittig previously served as Vice Chairman, Orthopedic Surgery; Chief of Orthopedic Oncology & Sarcoma Surgery (pediatric and adult) and Director, Skin & Sarcoma Division at Hackensack University Medical Center. Prior to that role, he served as chief of Orthopedic Oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center and practiced at NYU Medical Center and Hospital for Joint Diseases.

“As assistant professor of orthopedic oncology at NYU Medical Center, he was elected Teacher of the Year from a department of 120 orthopedic surgeons. He frequently trains international residents and fellows from other countries who come to the United States specifically to learn Dr. Wittig’s surgical techniques and his approach for diagnosing and treating patients with musculoskeletal tumors.

“He established the first orthopedic oncology clinic for indigent care in New York City at Bellevue Hospital Center and established the Sarcoma Service at NYU-Tisch Hospital where he also served as director of the sarcoma division of NYU Cancer Institute.”

“Dr. Wittig received his Bachelor of Science degree from Seton Hall University, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from New York University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in Manhattan where he served as chief resident, followed by a unique two-year fellowship at the Washington Cancer Institute of the Washington Hospital Center and Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. During fellowship, he served as Sarcoma Consultant to the Surgical and Pediatric Oncology Branches of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).”

Dr. Wittig commented to OTW, “I believe wholeheartedly in maintaining a patient-centric focus and treating each patient as a unique individual while incorporating the latest education and research into my daily practice. It is this type of setting—where research meets bedside care—that fosters academic inquisition, high quality care, and patient safety, and that is where patients receive the best care and have the best possible outcomes.”

“Morristown Medical Center harbors the same ideals and principles I have set forth in my practice ever since I finished medical school. Morristown Medical Center’s outstanding group of orthopedic surgeons in every subspecialty—many of whom are the best in their fields—also maintain that same philosophy in their approach to their patients, and that was critical in my decision.”

“I want to organize the individual subspecialty teams into cohesive ‘Think Tanks’ and begin to organize more research and educational endeavors for the department. The orthopedic surgery department is considered one of the top 50 orthopedic programs in the United States according to U.S. News and World Report. We have extremely talented surgeons. I want to begin to expand their roles in the orthopedic community by contributing to the field and expanding our presence and influence. We have much that we can share with and teach others.”

Asked about his leadership philosophy, Dr. Wittig told OTW, “I think the most effective leaders are those who lead by example. Maintaining a high-volume, high-quality and safe practice that focuses on the individuality of each patient and incorporates education of students, residents and other healthcare providers as well as producing research and sharing outcomes is paramount.”