James O. Sanders, MD
Understanding how bone and joint problems affect children. Providing children a broad spectrum of care. Researching scoliosis and how orthopaedic disorders affect children's gait. These are just a few of the pursuits that drive our Chief of Pediatric Orthopaedics, James O. Sanders, MD.
Dr. Sanders is a nationally recognized expert in pediatric orthopaedic disorders and spinal deformity, including scoliosis. He joined the University of Rochester Medical Center in 2008 because of its emphasis on coordinated care. "I wanted to go to a place where I was able to provide a full range of pediatric orthopaedic services," he says, "I'm very interested in the University's ability to provide a broad spectrum of high quality pediatric orthopaedic care. I look forward to working with other departments in the Medical Center and Golisano Children's Hospital to ensure that children receive the finest coordinated care.
A specialist in pediatric orthopaedics, Dr. Sanders has a particular interest in scoliosis and its relationship to growth. He will continue research on the disorder at URMC. "I became very interested over time in why scoliosis worsens, when it worsens, and if there are things that we can do to control it," he says. He is also engaged in research on infantile scoliosis in very young children.
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Sanders graduated with engineering and chemistry degrees from Southern Methodist University. "I planned to go into public health, " he says. But, when he did a rotation with a pediatric orthopaedist, he discovered his passion. "The interaction with kids and the whole specialty was just fascinating to me," Dr. Sanders says. He went on to Johns Hopkins University for his medical degree. He then completed his orthopaedics residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center, and a fellowship in pediatric orthopaedics and scoliosis at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. Before joining the URMC, he was Chief of Staff at the Shriners' Children's Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania for 11 years.
Dr. Sanders has published numerous scientific articles on topics such as scoliosis, outcomes of pediatric orthopaedic disorders, and human gait. But, working with kids is what he most enjoys. "I love kids," he says. "I enjoy working with them and their families. Kids have a different attitude toward disability than adults. They still have lots of dreams and hopes." His philosophy of care? "Everybody deserves the best I can give them."
Dr. Sanders is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a member of the American Orthopaedic Association, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Scoliosis Research Society, the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, and the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine.
