James Piper, MD ’17, has built a rewarding career as an attending orthopedic surgeon within the Geisinger Health System in Danville, PA. Specializing in hip and knee replacement, Dr. Piper finds fulfillment in helping patients regain their mobility and quality of life often hearing them say his work has “given them their life back.”
During his time at St. George’s University (SGU), Dr. Piper immersed himself in campus life by joining the surgery club, becoming an anatomy dissection tutor, and participating in community health fairs. These experiences affirmed his desire to pursue a surgical specialty and ultimately set him on the path to orthopedics
Learn more about Dr. Piper’s path and how SGU helped impact his career.
SGU: Tell us about your current role. What gets you up in the morning to go to work or what is your favorite part of the job?
Dr. Piper: My current role is an attending orthopedic surgeon within Geisinger Health System, specializing in hip and knee replacement. What I love about this field is getting people back on their feet and enjoying their lives. Hip and knee arthritis can be debilitating. When done on well indicated patients, joint replacements can change lives. Hearing people say we gave them their life back by giving them a stable, pain-free joint is pretty rewarding.
SGU: What are your long-term career goals? How do you hope to contribute to the field of medicine?
Dr. Piper: I’m striving to continue to perfect the art of joint replacement. I have an interest in robotic surgery and would love to contribute to that field as it evolves. I would also consider getting involved in implant and instrument design if that opportunity presented itself. I am also involved in Geisinger’s orthopedic residency program, so I aim to educate and push the next generation of surgeons.
SGU: What made you pursue medicine? Why do you love orthopedics?
Dr. Piper: I’ve always had an interest in the sciences and was drawn to anatomy and biology. I have also always liked working with my hands and enjoyed playing various sports most of my life. Orthopedic surgery was a natural combination of these interests. I love orthopedics because of its physically and mentally demanding nature. There is an inherent connection to sport and activity with orthopedics. The body is designed to be in motion, and we get to help it do so!
SGU: What advice would you give to an aspiring med student?
Dr. Piper: It was an uphill battle to get into orthopedics. You hear “no” or “not possible” more than you do “yes” or “you can do it.” SGU gives you the chance to get started. The rest is up to you. Matching into orthopedics was extremely memorable and rewarding, but it was very challenging. No matter your goals in medicine or life, always remember it is your own resolution to succeed that is more important than anything else.
