Donald J. Rose, MD

As a sports medicine physician and orthopedic surgeon, I treat dancers and athletes of all levels, from the young developing student to the weekend warrior to the advanced athlete or performer. I chose to specialize in sports medicine because of my interest and past participation in sports at a high level, especially as a rower.

Because I’m familiar with the mindset and physical requirements of athletes and performers, as their doctor, I can relate to them and better serve their needs. I practice an aggressively conservative approach to sports and dance injuries, whether through nonoperative or operative management.

Since 1988, I have served as the founding director of the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, where I manage injuries that are unique to dancers and conduct research on dance injury treatments. Additionally, I have served as an orthopedic consultant for several dance companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Martha Graham Dance Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and STREB Extreme Action, and for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. I have also been an orthopedic consultant for the National Football League, Cirque du Soleil, The Joyce Theater, and SUNY Purchase, and served as the New York medical director for the Women’s Association of Volleyball Professionals tour.

In 1997, I received the Dance Library of Israel Documents of Dance Award. In 2002, I was honored by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey with their Distinguished Alumnus Award, and in 2012, with the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Distinguished Alumnus Award. I have been recognized by Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctors” series and as one of New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors in New York.” Also, I have served on the editorial and advisory boards of several professional journals.