2025 Hamburg Turnpike STE C, Wayne, NJ 07470
Education
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B.S. with Distinction, Neuroscience at University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Residency
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Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at University of Pittsburgh
Fellowship
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Hand & Upper Extremity Fellowship at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Dr. Morales-Restrepo grew up in Morris County, NJ. He graduated with distinction from the University of Delaware and obtained his medical doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Morales-Restrepo then completed his orthopaedic surgical training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a center consistently ranked amongst the best orthopaedic surgery programs in the country. While there, he was heavily active in the sports medicine department, managing professional athletes and serving as the high school physician for local football teams where he took care of on-field injuries and emergencies.
After completion of his general orthopaedic training, he was appointed Clinical Instructor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UPMC where he held multiple hospital appointments, including at UPMC Presbyterian hospital, one of the largest level 1 trauma referral centers in the country. There, he managed complex high energy trauma referred from the entire state of Pennsylvania, and regions of western NY, OH, WV, and MD. Additionally, Dr. Morales-Restrepo held a clinical appointment at the Veteran’s Affair Hospital where he managed both emergencies and held an elective practice consisting of shoulder surgery and hip & knee replacements. While at the
Veteran’s Affair Hospital, he was awarded the STAR award for outstanding service to veterans. He also served as Education Chief for UPMC’s orthopaedic surgery residency program where he oversaw and developed training curriculum for resident physicians.
During his Clinical Instructor year, Dr. Morales-Restrepo took special interest in performing routine and advanced reconstructive shoulder surgery under the tutelage of Dr. Albert Lin, a Harvard trained, and internationally renowned shoulder surgeon. Dr. Morales-Restrepo then went on to pursue further advanced training in complex shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand surgery, completing a fellowship at UPMC’s renowned Hand & Upper Extremity program, which included training directly with multiple members of the prestigious American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) society who run the Shoulder & Elbow fellowship.
Dr. Morales-Restrepo has published extensively in areas of the upper extremity ranging from shoulder pathology down to thumb injuries.
Dr. Morales-Restrepo is excited to return to his native state of New Jersey and serve his community. He believes in a personalized approach to every patient’s orthopaedic problem often starting with conservative, non-operative management. When surgery is felt to be in the patient’s best interest, Dr. Morales-Restrepo is skilled in performing both open and minimally invasive arthroscopic surgical procedures of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. He offers the latest techniques in complex patient-specific total shoulder replacements and endoscopic carpal tunnel releases.
During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his young son and wife. He also enjoys running, swimming, biking, skiing, and hiking. Dr. Morales is fluent in Spanish and on his way to learning Mandarin as well.
