University Orthopaedic Associates (UOA) is proud to announce that six of our clinicians have won the 2020 Jersey Choice Top Doctors award, presented by New Jersey Monthly magazine. Jersey Choice Top Doctors awards are presented to New Jersey physicians who are voted by their peers as being the most competent and compassionate practitioners.

This year’s UOA award winners also were selected for the this award in 2019 and include:

• Gino Chiappetta
• Charles J. Gatt, Jr.
• David A. Harwood
• Timothy P. Leddy
• Matthew McDonnell
• James T. Monica

Dr. Chiappetta is an orthopaedic spine surgeon whose philosophy of care is to treat each patient individually based on their unique needs. He uses the latest minimally invasive and robotic surgery techniques to achieve the most successful outcome in getting his patients back to health and the quality of life they deserve. Dr. Chiappetta was also named to the Select Surgeons Bone & Joint list and voted as Vitals Patients’ Choice Award. 

Dr. Gatt is an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine. He has a passion for helping athletes get back to their sport in top health. He provides sports medicine care to athletes at some of the top schools in New Jersey including Rutgers University. He is the recipient of the 2018 David G. Moyer Award for excellence, presented by the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association. He is also an accomplished author of nearly two dozen peer-reviewed journal articles and is a regional and national lecturer on orthopaedics. Dr. Gatt is the Chair and Program Director of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.  His efforts in sport medicine tissue engineering research have earned national awards and honors.

Dr. Harwood is a joint replacement specialist. His philosophy of care is to use the most minimally invasive techniques when possible for a faster recovery and less pain. His awards over his career include numerous Jersey Choice Top Doctor awards, as well as selection as a Castle Connolly Top Doc and being elected by his peers for the Best Doctors in America awards. Dr. Harwood is a published author in peer-reviewed journals, a regular speaker at regional, national and international scientific meetings, and has participated in studies to investigate the efficacy and safety of new joint implants. 

Dr. Leddy is an orthopaedic surgeon with a specialized focus on hand and upper extremity surgery. He utilizes the most modern hand surgery techniques available and believes patient education is a critical part of surgery. He always ensures his patients have a proper understanding of their condition, including pre- and post-operative expectations. Dr. Leddy is a reviewer for Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, as well as a published author in peer-reviewed journals and regional and national lecturer on orthopaedics. 

Dr. McDonnell is an orthopaedic spine surgeon. He carefully listens to each patient’s needs, allowing him to provide every patient with an individualized treatment plan. He performs the latest minimally invasive procedures to ensure a quicker recovery and less pain. He has authored numerous publications, including peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, and chapters in the fields of spine surgery and orthopaedic trauma.

Dr. Monica is a hand and upper extremity specialist. He believes collaboration between the surgeon and patient is critical to ensuring a successful outcome. Dr. Monica takes pride in being available to patients whenever they need him. He’s been named to the New Jersey Monthly Jersey Choice Top Doctors list for several years. Dr. Monica continues to be an active contributor to peer reviewed journals and his work has been presented at regional, national, and international scientific meetings.

Research for the Jersey Choice Top Doctors award is commissioned by New Jersey Monthly magazine and carried out by Ringwood, NJ research firm Leflein Associates. Leflein Associates asks every doctor licensed in New Jersey for five years which of their colleagues they would trust to treat their own families. Doctors with the most responses receive the award.

Please join the entire UOA team in congratulating our winners on another job well done! If you have an orthopaedic injury or condition, request an appointment with our award-winning staff today. Telemedicine appointments are also available.