ACH welcomes orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Brian D. Tallerico! Dr. Tallerico is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and has extensive experience in all aspects of the specialty, including both non-operative and surgical care.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian D. Tallerico joined the Auburn Orthopaedic Specialists team in July and has hit the ground running. Tallerico is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and has extensive experience in all aspects of the specialty, including both non-operative and surgical care. His training background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Jefferson College, his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Midwestern University-Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, and residency training in orthopedic surgery at Ohio University in Columbus, Ohio. Additionally, he completed a fellowship in knee reconstruction and arthroplasty with the Goble Clinic in Logan, Utah.
Tallerico comes to Auburn from western Wyoming, where he started and developed an orthopedic practice in 2006, served as chief of surgery for over a decade and then spent time with Quincy Medical Group in Illinois for the last year. Prior to his practice out west, he served as an active-duty U.S. Navy surgeon in Bremerton, Washington, from 2002 to 2006.
Q: What attracted you to medicine and to orthopedics in particular?
A: My passion for medicine began with a college externship, where I shadowed our school’s team physician, who happened to be an orthopedic surgeon. I had known for some time that I wanted to be a doctor, but the first day I walked in the O.R. and saw how he was fixing so many people that were injured or in pain, I knew I had found my calling. To me, there is something very gratifying in using your hands and technology to help people get back to an active lifestyle. I enjoy helping patients navigate these difficult problems and educating them so they can choose an option that will give them the best possible outcome. Having the tools to help people regain their quality of life is what makes being a surgeon one of the most rewarding careers I can think of.
Q: What attracted you to Auburn?
A: I grew up in the country near Pittsburgh, and I love the Northeast. Living here brings us closer to our families and we simply fell in love with the Finger Lakes region. We have always enjoyed the small-town atmosphere, and felt the quality of life in this area would be of great benefit to our family. I think the team at Auburn Orthopaedic Specialists is exceptional and Auburn Community Hospital has all the resources and technology that will allow me to help my patients as well as grow the practice. My family and I have always been an integral part of the community and we all look forward to the same opportunity in this area.
Q: Is there a specific age range of your patients and what kind of problems do you typically see?
A: We all know someone who has been stopped in his or her tracks by bone, muscle or joint pain. Musculoskeletal conditions and pain affect people at any time and any age, keeping anyone from working, going to school or simply enjoying life. I treat patients of all ages, from age 0 to 100 and older. I have extensive experience treating all orthopedic conditions, from sports injuries to arthritic joints, from fracture surgery to hand surgery, arthroscopy and hip and knee replacements. I am committed not only to treating musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, but also to preventing them.
Q: What kind of advancements are you seeing in orthopedics?
A: Orthopedic surgery has always been on the cutting edge of technology, and these days I think we are seeing an even higher level of accuracy in the surgical procedures we perform on a daily basis. Using modalities such as computer navigation and custom patient-specific implants and instruments can result in even better outcomes for already successful surgeries. We have access to more sophisticated imaging that can help with diagnoses and assist with less invasive procedures. This enables us to use smaller incisions, and can result in shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times. The implants we use continue to evolve and make the surgeries more efficient and the long-term results better. I can only imagine what the future will bring to our specialty.
Q: Is there a particular philosophy you follow in your career?
A: During my residency training, one of my attendings advised me that “if you always do what’s best for the patient, then you will probably be a very good doctor.” This may seem very cliché, but I firmly believe that the patient has to be the top priority. Successful health care has to utilize a team approach for each and every patient, and the patient experience begins the moment they contact the office. Every member of our staff who interacts with the patient will have an impact on the experience. Patients always have a choice — and I want to give them every reason to have Auburn Orthopaedic Specialists take care of them and their families. We are confident that we have an exceptional team, and there is no reason for a patient in the area to go anywhere for their care but Auburn Orthopaedic Specialists.
Q: Tell us a little more about yourself.
A: My wife, Karen, and I were high school sweethearts and have been married for almost 25 years. We have three children: Hannah (18), who will be starting her freshman year at College of the Holy Cross, Sarah (14), who is a high-level gymnast and cross-country runner and will be starting ninth grade next week, and our son Caleb (9), who is a Lego and dinosaur expert and will be entering third grade. Our family enjoys the great outdoors and traveling and anything we can do together during these hectic times. I enjoy hunting, fishing, skiing, music, cars and volunteering as a team physician and chaperone for the Wounded Warrior Outdoors program. We are also unapologetic Pittsburgh sports teams fans.
Tallerico works with Auburn Orthopaedic Specialists, auburnmedicalservices.com and 77 Nelson St., Suite 120, Auburn, N.Y. 13021. To schedule an appointment, call (315) 252-7559. Tallerico is accepting new patients and participates with numerous insurance plans.