A total of six surgeons from University Orthopaedic Associates (UOA) have been named 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctors, an honor that recognizes only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians each year for their specialties in their regions. The recognition underscores the high level of clinical excellence and subspecialty care provided by the practice, which has been a leading provider of musculoskeletal care in New Jersey for five decades.
The recognized physicians are Hesham Abdelfattah, MD; Christopher Doumas, MD; David A. Harwood, MD; Timothy P. Leddy, MD; James T. Monica, MD; and Kenneth G. Swan, Jr., MD. All are board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons with UOA, a practice that is part of OrthoNJ, the state's largest orthopaedic group. Their shared commitment to clinical excellence, medical education, and community wellness drives the practice's comprehensive care model.
UOA's team evaluates and treats a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including traumatic orthopedic injuries, degenerative joint diseases, sports-related injuries, spinal disorders, fractures, hand and upper extremity conditions, and complex musculoskeletal deformities. They perform advanced therapeutic interventions such as joint replacements for the ankle, hip, knee, and shoulder; robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery; spine surgeries and motion-preserving disc replacements; advanced hand, wrist, and upper extremity reconstructions; minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures; and complex fracture fixation and trauma reconstruction.
The practice enhances patient care through an integrated network of specialized on-site features and facilities, including advanced diagnostics, high-resolution imaging, dedicated physical therapy, hand and occupational rehabilitation, and sports performance training. For outpatient procedures, UOA partners with the University Center for Ambulatory Surgery (UCAS) in Somerset, which is recognized on the U.S. News & World Report "Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers" list and features advanced, opioid-sparing pain management protocols.
The physicians completed their rigorous medical education, residencies, and elite fellowship training at leading institutions nationwide, with academic foundations spanning joint reconstruction, sports medicine, trauma surgery, hand and upper extremity surgery, foot and ankle surgery, spinal surgery, physiatry and pain management, and non-operative musculoskeletal treatment. Beyond clinical duties, they hold academic appointments at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where they participate in medical education and clinical research, and serve as official orthopaedic consultants and team physicians for Princeton University, Rutgers University, Rider University, the Somerset Patriots, and multiple local high schools.
Top Doctors are nominated by peer physicians and selected by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team. According to Castle Connolly, nominations are open to all board-certified MDs, DOs, and DPMs, and the team selects honorees based on criteria including medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. The full list is published at castleconnolly.com and in partner publications.
This recognition matters because it signals to patients that these surgeons are among the top in their field, potentially influencing healthcare decisions for individuals seeking orthopaedic care. For the industry, it highlights the importance of peer-reviewed recognition and the value of subspecialized, fellowship-trained physicians in delivering high-quality outcomes. The announcement also reinforces UOA's role as a regional leader in orthopaedic care, with implications for patient access to advanced treatments like robotic surgery and opioid-sparing pain management.
