Paul Tornetta III, MD, PhD

Paul Tornetta, MD, PhD is an orthopedic surgeon, chief of orthopedic surgery, and director of orthopedic trauma at Boston Medical Center (BMC). He is also a professor and chair of orthopedic surgery at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, where he directs the residency program. Dr. Tornetta is a national expert in orthopedic trauma, clinical trials methodology, and pioneering surgical techniques and implants.

Throughout his career, Dr. Tornetta has been at the forefront of treating musculoskeletal diseases and injuries, leading a team of experts across every orthopedic specialty. He is deeply involved in the orthopedic community, serving on numerous boards, committees, and symposia. In 2024, Dr. Tornetta was appointed president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) for the 2024–2025 term, marking his third year of a four-year volunteer service on the AAOS Board of Directors.

With more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Tornetta is a prolific researcher dedicated to expanding knowledge in musculoskeletal conditions. He also leads the Orthopedic Trauma Research Consortium.

Dr. Tornetta holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and earned his medical degree from SUNY–Health Science Center at Brooklyn, where he also completed his internship and residency, followed by a fellowship in acetabular/pelvic fractures at the Hospital of the Good Samaritan in Los Angeles. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and mathematics from Franklin and Marshall College.

Learn more about what drives Dr. Tornetta’s work