My Story

Dr. Michele R. D’Apuzzo is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Professor of Clinical Orthopaedics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He serves as Director of the Adult Reconstruction Fellowship Program and Director of Quality and Safety for Joint Replacement at the University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Born and raised in Venezuela, Dr. D’Apuzzo moved to the United States to pursue world-class medical training. Today he is proud to call Miami home and cares for patients from all walks of life, in English and Spanish, with the same compassion and attention he would give his own family.

His goal is simple: help you live without pain and move with confidence again, whether that means walking on the beach, playing with your grandchildren, or returning to the activities you love.

Education & Training

Dr. D’Apuzzo’s path is one of the most rigorous in the field:

  • Medical Degree – Universidad Central de Venezuela, Luis Razetti School of Medicine (Honors in Surgery and Public Health)

  • General Surgery Internship & Research Fellowship – Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

  • Orthopedic Surgery Residency – Mayo Clinic and University of Virginia

  • Adult Reconstruction Fellowship – Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York (where he received the Clinical Excellence Award – Best Clinical Fellow)

Leadership & Academic Roles

  • Professor of Clinical Orthopaedics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

  • Director, Adult Reconstruction Fellowship Program (training the next generation of hip and knee surgeons)

  • President, Miami Orthopaedic Society (2024–2026)

  • Board Member, Florida Orthopaedic Society

  • Director of Quality and Safety, Joint Replacement, University of Miami

  • Member, University of Miami Patient Experience Committee

Awards & Recognitions

  • Otto Aufranc Award, The Hip Society (2026)

  • John Insall Award, The Knee Society (2014)

  • Clinical Excellence Award, Hospital for Special Surgery (Best Clinical Fellow)

  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

  • American Orthopaedic Association Fellow

  • Multiple Best Poster and Research Awards from AAOS, AAHKS, Florida Orthopaedic Society, and Eastern Orthopaedic Association

Research & Innovation

Dr. D’Apuzzo is a nationally recognized researcher with dozens of peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and grants (including from AAHKS and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation). He frequently lectures across the United States and Latin America on robotic surgery, outpatient joint replacement, infection prevention, and patient optimization. He stays at the forefront of technology so his patients in Miami receive the safest, most advanced care available.

My Philosophy of Care

“I treat every patient like they are a member of my own family. Whether you need a first-time hip or knee replacement, same-day outpatient surgery, a complex revision, or a joint-preserving procedure for avascular necrosis, my team and I will create a personalized plan focused on your goals, your lifestyle, and your peace of mind.”

Patients consistently describe Dr. D’Apuzzo as approachable, thorough, and genuinely caring, and that’s exactly how he wants you to feel from your very first visit.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re tired of living with hip or knee pain, Dr. D’Apuzzo and his team are here to help you get back to the life you love.

Schedule a consultation today — we speak English and Spanish and offer both in-person and virtual visits.

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