OrthoBuzz kicks off 2026 with an inspiring interview with Dr. Matt Schmitz. Readers may already be familiar with the “Editor’s Choice” posts that Dr. Schmitz regularly contributes to the blog, providing insights into key studies. Here, as part of our new “Inside JBJS” series, he discusses his work in orthopaedics, leadership and organizational involvement, what inspires him, and advice—both good and bad—received during his career. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to yourself.
Please share with readers your roles in orthopaedic surgery and with JBJS and OrthoBuzz.
I am currently a Professor of Orthopaedics with the University of California San Diego and Director of the International Hip Preservation Center at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. My practice includes hip preservation surgery, adolescent sports medicine, and pediatric trauma surgery. Previously, I served over 20 years in the Air Force, with most of my career at San Antonio Military Medical Center. With JBJS, I am the Senior Editor for Pediatric Orthopaedics and for Social Media and Video and, for over 15 years, a lecturer with the Miller’s Orthopaedic Review Courses.
We’re curious, too, about your involvement with other organizations: what do you value from those experiences and how might those experiences impact your viewpoint as a surgeon?
I am the Past President of the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance (IODA) and also serve on the Board of Directors for the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA). IODA is a fantastic organization focused on improving diversity within all aspects of orthopaedics, and it has been incredible to be involved with them as a founding member and the fourth President. The organization has grown to nearly 2,000 members in its short existence and is doing great work advocating for diversity efforts on a global scale. My involvement with POSNA and AOA help shape those organizations and their education and mentorship involvement. I think it is important for surgeons to get involved with their subspecialty organizations and help teach, train, and mentor the next generation of surgeons coming through the pipeline.
In my “free time,” I also serve as a team physician with USA Rugby. I played rugby in college and medical school and had a quick drink of water with the US National Team as a medical student before my studies and residency took over. I wanted to give back to the game so got involved as a team physician back in 2013, and having been traveling with the team for international matches since then. I joke that it helps me feel young being part of a team of young folks who are now approximately half my age. I usually spend between 2 to 4 weeks a year with the team (although my wife wants me to do much less).
How did you first get involved with JBJS and why?
Technically, I was involved with the Miller Review before it was part of the JBJS portfolio. Mark Miller was an Air Force Academy graduate (like myself) and has been an incredible mentor to me over the years. I started reviewing articles for JBJS when I was a fellow and then was brought on to the Associate Editor panel for CME, helping to write and edit CME questions back in 2016. I have been pretty involved in various aspects of social media, and when there was an opportunity to apply to be the Deputy Editor for Social Media, I jumped at that opportunity and was selected in 2019 for the role. With changes to the Editorial Board structure under Mo Bhandari [JBJS Editor-in-Chief], I applied for the new role of Senior Editor and was selected for that role this year, overseeing both Pediatric Orthopaedics and Social Media and Video. The JBJS family has been a great group to get to know and work with, starting with Editor Emeritus Marc Swiontkowski, who was someone I could bounce personal and professional questions off of, knowing he would give me a genuine and heartfelt response and advice. I firmly believe in growing your “web of influence” by seeking out new colleagues, mentors, and peers to help grow, and JBJS has introduced me to great people that I now consider close friends and mentors/colleagues.
What inspires you as an orthopaedic surgeon?
I truly love all aspects of orthopaedic surgery, but what really inspires me is the opportunity to mentor and grow the next generation of surgeons and leaders in our field. As a mid-career surgeon, I love spending time with younger surgeons and trying to help them avoid some of the mistakes I made (and learned from) while also reveling in their success and watching them blossom.
What do you see as the biggest challenges or opportunities today as a surgeon, researcher, or author?
I think one of the biggest challenges we face is forgetting that medicine is truly a professional calling. I feel that science and the scientific method have been under attack over the last few years, and at the same time, I fear that our young physicians may forget why we should be involved in medicine. Taking care of our patients has to remain at the forefront, whether that is in clinical care or in developing research questions and evaluating them scientifically, not through opinions or the media. But therein lies an incredible opportunity as a researcher and author to ask relevant questions and seek scientific truth. At the heart of it, remember that medicine is a calling, and stay focused on being the best physician you possibly can.
What’s the best (or worst) piece of advice you’ve received in your career?
The best piece of advice I have received was to get out of your comfort zone and get involved. Put yourself out there and apply for positions or volunteer to serve on committees, etc. It helps you grow as a person but also introduces you to potential new friends and mentors alike. With the same thought in mind, the worst piece of advice I have ever heard is that getting involved in various organizations is simply “self-promotion.” I wholeheartedly disagree. If we are going to continue to grow orthopaedics and have it remain as the best medical specialty out there, we need folks to advocate and innovate on behalf of orthopaedics. That isn’t done in a silo but has to be done with the help and support of organizations like subspecialty societies and JBJS.
Also, my lifetime motto has been, “Tough times never last; tough people do.” You will encounter adversity and setbacks. How you overcome and react to those tough times will define you as a person and your career.
As we go into 2026, what message would you like to share with OrthoBuzz readers and contributors?
I am excited about the rebranding and structural reorganization that JBJS is undergoing through Mo’s leadership. Part of that includes new article types. I also think readers will see some interesting new pieces on OrthoBuzz, where we will have some authors give their perspectives on their work. A clinical research paper takes years to publish, from conceptualization, to study design, to data collection and analysis. It is great to hear from the authors who are so heavily invested in a project. Also, we will continue to get great perspectives from residents and that next generation of orthopaedic minds, so be on the look out for continued great pieces on OrthoBuzz!
Outside of work, what are your interests and hobbies?
I enjoy golfing (often with my wife, an incredibly successful academic Emergency Medicine physician), cheering on my beloved Denver Broncos, and staying active in the San Diego sunshine. I am also very involved in my 2 teenage daughters’ social and sporting lives. Most weekends I am on the sideline or in the bleachers cheering them on.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I am involved in many things, and I tell my mentees that various organizations will give you titles and compliments. But you need to stay true to yourself and what your “True North” is. I may have a slew of titles, but my favorite one is still “Dad.” My daughters both know how incredibly important they are to my life as I cheer them on from the sideline or bleachers at soccer games, volleyball games, and track meets. Find your “True North” and stick to it.
Thank you, Dr. Schmitz!
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