Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) today announced a historic transition for 2023, as Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA will become the first surgeon to assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Louis A. Shapiro. With this change, the 160-year-old academic medical system specialized in musculoskeletal health will be led by a doctor with both medical and business expertise.
In 2006, Dr. Michael J. Shapiro was appointed President and CEO of the medical organization, and since 2019, he has been working in close partnership with Dr. Mark J. Kelly as Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director. Now, Dr. Kelly has taken the helm as President, allowing Dr. Shapiro to transition into a role of CEO for the foreseeable future. Upon completion of the transition, Dr. Kelly will assume the combined roles of President and CEO.
Lou’s groundbreaking vision for Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has resulted in an incredible transformation. From a specialty hospital in New York to an international network with universal prominence, HSS has seen unprecedented growth and challenges under Lou’s leadership – including the COVID pandemic. Now, with Dr. Kelly’s proven leadership and extraordinary capability, HSS is positioned to further strengthen and expand its global preeminence in musculoskeletal health. Co-chairs Thomas H. Lister and Robert K. Steel said, “Lou shaped and cultivated a groundbreaking vision for HSS that saw the institution transform from a specialty hospital in New York to an international network with universal prominence. Having led the enterprise through unprecedented growth and challenges, including COVID, Lou decided the time is right to make this change.”
Under the leadership of Louis A. Shapiro, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has risen to become the world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology, and related disciplines. Since 2010, HSS has been ranked No. 1 for orthopedics in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report and No. 1 in the world by Newsweek since 2019. During his tenure, Mr. Shapiro oversaw the expansion of HSS’s physical care delivery system to four states, the development of a nationwide rehabilitation network, and a robust innovation portfolio, including a global first in on-site 3D printing and a national first in virtual triage and physical therapy. He also facilitated the relocation of the HSS Research Institute to new and improved facilities, and the construction of the HSS campus in Palm Beach County, Florida, which opened in 2019. Mr. Shapiro has truly transformed HSS into a world-class institution.
Under Shapiro’s remarkable leadership, HSS experienced an incredible rise of more than 300 percent, with a drastic improvement in its overall balance sheet and performance in many areas. His unwavering focus on culture and patient experience was particularly impressive, resulting in a Net Promoter Score of 94 – an unprecedented feat that far surpassed the healthcare industry average.
“I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to serve HSS and the Board of Trustees for their support,” said Shapiro. “It’s an honor to be part of Bryan’s transition to leadership, and I’m confident that he’s ready to take the helm. I look forward to being part of this capstone achievement in the coming year.”
Dr. Kelly, an acclaimed surgeon, scientist, and educator in sports medicine and hip preservation, has been with Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) since 1996. With undergraduate and medical degrees from Brown University and Duke University, he completed his residency and fellowship at HSS, followed by additional fellowships under the direction of Dr. Marc J. Philippon at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Dr. Herbert Resch at the Landeskliniken Hospital in Salzburg, Austria, and Professor Reinhold Ganz in Bern, Switzerland. His commitment to learning and excellence was recently recognized when he completed his MBA at NYU Stern School of Business in 2019.
For two decades, Dr. Kelly has revolutionized the field of hip preservation, empowering people of all ages with non-arthritic hip disorders to maintain their mobility and stability. In 2010, Kelly established the Hip Preservation Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery, which today is the nation’s largest of its kind. In 2014, he was appointed Chief of the HSS Sports Medicine Institute, and five years later, became Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director. His tireless dedication to the field has been instrumental in its evolution and maturation over the years.
Kelly is a renowned orthopaedic surgeon and professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, having authored nearly 200 scholarly works. He is also the Head Team Doctor and Medical Director of the New York Rangers since 2015 and has been an Associate Team Doctor for the New York Giants. As a hip injury consultant to various collegiate and professional athletes, Kelly has a broad range of interests in both clinical and basic science.
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 presented a unique challenge to both the legacy of Dr. Shapiro and the readiness of Dr. Kelly to lead New York City. In response, New York’s Health and Hospitals Corporation (HSS) acted swiftly to suspend 90 percent of their non-emergent patient care and shifted resources to treat those affected by the virus. This was a defining moment that tested their mettle and resilience amidst an unprecedented crisis.
Dr. Kelly is an exemplary leader, possessing expertise in both the operating room and the board room, and is poised to build upon the legacy of Lou in striving for the best outcomes for patients, medical specialists, and the institution as a whole. Lister and Steel are confident that Kelly is up to the task.
Lou’s appointment as CEO of Hospital for Special Surgery is a testament to his unmatched expertise in the field of musculoskeletal care. His leadership will be instrumental in propelling the organization to greater heights, making superior care and outcomes more attainable to the masses. Under his guidance, the Hospital will continue to build on its strengths in clinical care, scientific research, education, and innovation to bring about more accessible and high-quality healthcare. According to Chairman of the Board, Kelly, there is no one more qualified to lead this evolution and take the Hospital to new heights.
Unlike many clinicians who become business leaders, Kelly has decided to stay true to his roots and continue his surgical practice with a limited number of patients. This is an admirable commitment to his craft that speaks volumes about his character.
HSS is the leading provider of care for musculoskeletal conditions, and its services have reached more than 80 countries and all 50 US states. In 2022, the organization proudly achieved a positive margin on its $1.8 billion revenue. Musculoskeletal conditions, including injuries, wear and arthritis, are the world’s leading cause of disability, and HSS is dedicated to helping 1.5 million corporate employees around the world find relief.
About HSS
Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is the world’s leading academic medical center for musculoskeletal health, ranked #1 in orthopedics three years running by Newsweek’s survey of medical professionals around the globe. Boasting an impressive record of excellence, HSS has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the top pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT, and has earned Magnet Recognition for Nursing Service five times. Founded in 1863, the institution has some of the lowest complication and readmission rates in the nation, as well as the lowest infection rates. Its research, innovation and education are also unrivaled, with the HSS Research Institute, Innovation Institute and Education Institute all dedicated to advancing the quality and value of musculoskeletal care. HSS is proud to be a part of Weill Cornell Medical College and has locations across the US, from New York City to Florida, making world-class musculoskeletal care available to more people than ever before.