James H. Lubowitz, M.D., is an American orthopedic surgeon, academic, and author specializing in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. He holds faculty positions at Weill Cornell Medical College and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, where he directs clinical and research programs related to orthopaedic sports medicine.
Early life and education
James H. Lubowitz earned his undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He obtained his medical doctorate from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, followed by an orthopaedic residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery. He completed a fellowship in shoulder and elbow surgery at the same institution.
Academic and clinical career
Lubowitz serves as a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and as an Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery. He is the Director of the Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Program at HSS and has overseen the training of numerous orthopaedic residents and fellows. His clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and surgical management of shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries, particularly those sustained in high-performance athletes.
Research and publications
Dr. Lubowitz has contributed extensively to the orthopaedic literature, authoring or co‑authoring more than 150 peer‑reviewed articles, book chapters, and textbooks. Notable publications include:
- The Orthopaedic Physical Examination (multiple editions) – a widely used reference for clinical assessment of musculoskeletal disorders.
- Sports Medicine: Principles and Practice – a comprehensive guide covering injury prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in athletes.
- Numerous original research articles on topics such as rotator cuff repair, arthroscopic shoulder stabilization, and biologic augmentation of tendon healing.
His research has been funded by governmental and private grants, supporting investigations into surgical techniques, tissue engineering, and outcome assessment in sports‑related orthopaedic procedures.
Professional affiliations and honors
Lubowitz is a member of several professional societies, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM). He has held leadership roles within these organizations and has been recognized with awards for clinical excellence and education, such as the AANA Distinguished Service Award.
Teaching and mentorship
In addition to his clinical duties, Dr. Lubowitz is active in medical education. He has delivered lectures at national and international conferences, contributed to continuing medical education (CME) programs, and mentored numerous orthopedic surgeons throughout their training.
Personal life
Publicly available biographical sources provide limited information regarding his personal life, and details beyond his professional activities are not widely documented.