Medical icon Jon-Michael Caldwell, MD

Dr. Jon-Michael Caldwell is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine.  He cares for individuals with pain and injuries in the shoulder, elbow, and knee. He cares for athletes of all ages and skill levels – from those playing professionally to weekend warriors. He specializes in shoulder, elbow, and knee surgery with a special interest in joint preservation and cartilage restoration, ligament and tendon repair, shoulder and elbow replacement, and biologic augmentation.

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Caldwell earned his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Dr. Caldwell pursued his medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.  Between his 3rd and 4th year of medical school Dr. Caldwell took a year to pursue full time research in Columbia University’s Center for Shoulder, Elbow, and Sports Medicine where he conducted clinical, biomechanical, and translational research (research that applies laboratory discoveries to patients). He continued to pursue advanced research training at Columbia completing the Translational Research in Orthopedics (TRIO) Fellowship before continuing to complete his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center.

Following his residency, Dr. Caldwell completed fellowship training in sports medicine at the prestigious Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, where the “Tommy John” surgery was born.  The “Tommy John” surgery (also known as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction) is a unique procedure used to repair a torn ligament inside the elbow, often caused by overuse in throwing athletes. While in Los Angeles, Dr. Caldwell served as an assistant Team Physician to the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), Anaheim Ducks (NHL), LA Galaxy (MLS), and LA Sparks (WNBA) in addition to several local collegiate and high-school athletic programs.

Dr. Caldwell is passionate about helping his patients truly feel better and do more. He is active involved in performing and authoring research in the areas of rotator cuff and tendon healing, injury prevention, and surgical pain management. He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles, textbook chapters, and scientific presentations and continues to maintain an active research portfolio.

When he’s not working or conducting research, he enjoys traveling with his wife, skiing, mountain biking, racquet sports, sailing, diving, and is an accomplished bassist with appearances on multiple studio albums and music videos.

Meet Dr. Caldwell