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 James P. Higgins, M.D. |
| 1. Training • High School: Regis High School, New York, New York • College: Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts • Medical School: University of Rochester, Rochester, New York • Residency: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York • Fellowships: Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery, The Curtis National Hand Center, Baltimore, Maryland. 2. Your Subspecialty Interests • Complex bone soft tissue and nerve reconstruction of the hand and wrist • Microsurgical reconstruction throughout the body with emphasis on the upper extremity • Congenital Hand Surgery • Vascular disorders of the Upper extremity • Fractures and malunions of the distal radius and wrist • Nerve compression and reconstruction 3. Philosophy on Teaching Our collection of dedicated sub specialists at The Curtis National Hand Center is most focused on the responsibility of training the upcoming generations of hand surgeons. We strive to impart on our trainees a solid foundation in the time tested principles of care of the upper extremity, while also teaching the most advanced and innovative techniques. 4. What it means to you to work at the National Hand Center This privilege carries with it two great responsibilities. The first is to provide a national resource for patients seeking complete care of problems related to the upper extremity, regardless of how rare or complex the disorder. The second is the education of future generations of America’s upper extremity surgeons. 5. What Contributions you have made to the Specialty Working in The Curtis National Hand Center has allowed me to work alongside surgeons with expertise in all aspects of Hand Surgery. We have been fortunate to impact our specialty through training of the future leaders of hand surgery and through scientific and clinical research endeavors. Publications Higgins JP, Fisher S, Serletti JM, Orlando GS. “Anatomic comparison of nerve graft harvest sites utilized for reconstruction of traumatic hand injuries.” Journal of Hand Surgery 27A(2):286-92.2002. Higgins JP, Graham TJ. “Carpal tunnel release via limited palmar incision.” Hand Clinics. 18(2):299-306. 2002. Higgins JP, Graham TJ. “Carpal tunnel release using the Carpal Tunnel Tome.” Atlas of the Hand Clinics.7(2): 199-210. 2002. Higgins JP, Murphy MS. “Replantation.” In: Hand Surgery Update 3: Hand, Elbow and Shoulder. ASSH Press. Ppgs. 469-77. 2003. Higgins JP, Orlando GS, Chang P, Serletti JM. “Hypothenar hammer syndrome after radial forearm flap harvest.” The Journal of Hand Surgery. 26A(4):772-775.2001,July. Salgado CJ, Smith A, Kim S, Higgins JP, Behnam A, Herrera HR, Serletti JM. “Effects of late loss of arterial inflow on free flap survival. “ Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery. 18(7):579-84. 2002, Oct. Serletti JM, Higgins JP, Moran SL, Orlando GS. "Factors affecting outcome in free tissue transfer in the elderly.” Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 106(1), 66-70, 2000. 6.Interests outside of Medicine My wife and I have always had a strong interest in travel and outdoor pursuits. Our most recent journey to Australia allowed us to pursue both of these interests. The Curtis National Hand Center has a long tradition of maintaining ties with other hand surgeons around the globe. During our trip we visited and worked with Australia’s leaders in hand surgery, exchanging ideas and providing opportunities to improve on our education of young hand surgeons around the world. 7. Dedication to the patient’s experience at the Hand Center The Curtis National Hand Center is designed for the complete care of patients with problems related to the upper extremity. Patients are directed to experts in the field for their specific problems. Our center insures that every patient is evaluated directly by the specialists. We insure patient satisfaction by providing the latest and most up-to-date information to patients and enabling them to make educated decisions regarding their care. Our center offers the most recent and effective techniques available for care of the hand and arm. 8. Comments about our colleagues/what it is like to work in a large single specialty practice Our practice is a fantastic collection of skilled and up-to-date specialists for every aspect of hand surgery. All of these surgeons consider themselves part of a larger team dedicated to providing a special atmosphere of education and care for our patients and their families. The hand center is a special place. The energy and teamwork of our staff and surgeons focus on the needs of our patients. 9. Where you see the future of Hand Surgery Going Despite being entrenched in a long tradition and history, the field of hand surgery is rapidly evolving. Our most successful research and promising advancements have focused on techniques that allow patients to regain comfort or function of their hand with less invasive methods. These methods aim toward requiring less recovery time and more complete return of hand function. 10. Why it’s important to seek the skills and experience of a Hand Surgeon for your (patient’s) problem…why it is important to select our Center Patients often describe having difficulty finding the appropriate doctor for their particular problem. Physicians are more specialized in their area practice and naturally patients seek physicians that are experts and leaders in the field. The Curtis National Hand Center solves this problem by providing sub specialists and leaders in all areas pertaining to care of the upper extremity. Patients travel from local areas and different parts of the country to take advantage of this resource—so should you. 11. What makes us the Premier Hand Specialists in the Nation? Patients enter The Curtis National Hand Center and immediately realize it is a unique place. It is the largest group of hand surgeons in the country that care exclusively for problems related to the upper extremity. The Center houses the leading group of hand therapists in the country and the premier training program for the future leaders of Hand Surgery in the country. The Center is entrusted with the Hand Surgery training of our nation’s military surgeons. The Center maintains an active research division that defines the future of our specialty. Our teaching program trains doctors from Johns Hopkins University, Union Memorial Hospital, Georgetown University and other institutions around the country and world. The 103rd United States Congress recognized the past history of our Center as a cornerstone in the founding of the specialty. We strive to continue this tradition of excellence. |