University Hospitals Launches Executive Total Joint Replacement Program

Innovations in Orthopaedics | Fall 2025

This summer, University Hospitals launched the Executive Total Joint Replacement Program for hips and knees. Designed for busy professionals with limited time availability, the program offers a streamlined care pathway that reduces patients’ time away from personal and professional responsibilities.

James Voos, MD

“As joint replacement surgery continues to move toward outpatient care, our goal is to listen to our modern health care consumers who want to address their orthopaedic issues with minimal disruption to their daily routines,” says James Voos, MD, Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at University Hospitals, the Jack and Mary Herrick Distinguished Chair in Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at University Hospitals, Executive Director of the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center, and the Charles H. Herndon Professor and Chair at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. “We have created a program that delivers the highest quality procedure while helping patients safely and quickly return to home and work.”

One familiar face who turned to University Hospitals for expert orthopaedic care is Pro Football Hall of Famer and retired Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas.

“I was having a lot of back pain, back issues when I was sitting,” Thomas says. “I couldn't really stand for more than a few minutes. The combination of those things and interrupting my sleep really made me think like I need to get this taken care of sooner rather than later.”

He reached out to Dr. Voos. “After having a chance to examine Joe and review his symptoms, we discovered that it was actually his hip that was causing the problems,” Dr. Voos says.

Along with orthopaedic surgeon George Ochenjele, MD, Dr. Voos recommended hip replacement.

“I was really comfortable coming to University Hospitals for my hip replacement surgery because there was a level of trust between myself and the surgeons,” Thomas says. “Dr. Voos was our doctor when I was with the Cleveland Browns, and I knew I was going to get world-class care. Just like everybody who walks through this building, you’re going to be treated like a VIP all the way from the pre-op to the actual operation.”

Concierge-level Care

The Executive Total Joint Replacement Program applies standards of care used with elite athletes, tailoring them for busy leaders in Northeast Ohio who juggle complex schedules. A dedicated care coordinator manages appointments, preoperative testing and follow-up visits, while nurse navigators stay in touch through digital platforms that track surgical readiness and monitor recovery.

The program also brings together orthopaedic surgeons who specialize in joint replacement using minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical techniques. These methods help reduce postoperative pain, limit incision size and shorten recovery times, allowing patients to return to work and travel sooner.

Steven Fitzgerald, MD

“We have some of the best outcomes in the country and use the latest technology for both surgery and postoperative rehab to get patients moving quickly and restore their quality of life,” says Steven Fitzgerald, MD, the Kingsbury G. Heiple, MD, and Fred A. Lennon Chair in Orthopaedics and Chief of the Division of Adult Reconstruction at University Hospitals, and an Associate Professor at the School of Medicine. “For this program, we are leveraging the infrastructure of our Center of Excellence joint service to provide concierge-level care.”

Under the guidance of Dr. Voos, experts at University Hospitals continue to lead the way as one of the nation’s top orthopaedic and sports medicine programs.

“As we launch these highly efficient initiatives, they serve as models for advancing orthopaedic care across our system,” Dr. Voos says. “Similar to when we first trialed our robotics program or offered outpatient joint replacement, these aspirational ideas become the standard pathways of the future.”

Executives or professionals experiencing joint pain that disrupts daily responsibilities can contact University Hospitals to learn whether the program may be appropriate for their needs. For more information, call 216-286-8088.

Contributing Experts:

Steven Fitzgerald, MD,
Kingsbury G. Heiple, MD, and Fred A. Lennon Chair in Orthopaedics
Chief, Division of Adult Reconstruction
Department of Orthpaedics
Director, High Reliability Medicine for Total Joint Replacement
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Associate Professor
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

James Voos, MD
Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Executive Director
University Hospitals Haslam Sports Innovation Center
Jack and Mary Herrick Distinguished Chair, Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Charles H. Herndon Professor
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Head Team Physician, Cleveland Browns
Medical Director, Cleveland Ballet