Dr. John Lovejoy, Chair of Orthopedics, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida
In an interview with Invest:, Dr. John Lovejoy, chair of orthopedics at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, discussed the landscape of pediatric orthopedic care, highlighting both the high volume of trauma-related cases and the growing importance of specialized, multidisciplinary treatment. “The highest volume that most pediatric orthopedic programs encounter is trauma and injuries,” Lovejoy said, noting that while fractures remain the most common cases, Nemours differentiates itself through its ability to deliver highly specialized and complex care across a range of conditions.
What is your background and current role at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida?
I’m an orthopedic surgeon by training who specializes in pediatric orthopedic care. That involves four years of medical school, five years of residency, followed by a one-year fellowship in pediatric orthopedics.
I’ve been in practice since 2007, and I’ve been with Nemours Children’s since 2014.
In my current role as chair of orthopedics, I oversee our sports medicine program, our physical medicine and rehabilitation program, and all of our therapy services. We have a very large department here in Orlando, and I oversee surgeons, physician assistants, trainees, residents, fellows, medical students, and our research efforts.
I’m originally from Florida and grew up just north of here in Jacksonville. I did my undergraduate studies at Duke University, medical school at the University of Florida, residency at Atlanta Medical Center, and my fellowship at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas.
What trends in pediatric orthopedic conditions or injuries are currently driving the most patient volume in Central Florida, and how has Nemours grown to meet that demand?
In terms of volume, the highest volume that most pediatric orthopedic programs encounter is trauma and injuries. Kids are going to be kids, so whether it’s low-energy injuries on the playground like elbow fractures or higher-energy events like motor vehicle accidents, that’s where a lot of the volume comes from.
Within pediatric orthopedics, there is also a lot of complexity in other areas, and that’s where Nemours really excels. We have specialty areas such as spinal deformity, limb deformity, complex foot and ankle, complex hip problems, and sports medicine.
So while we take care of more fractures than anything else, in terms of availability of services and providing highly specialized, complex care, we have more opportunities than most in our area.
How does Nemours Children’s whole-child health model influence long-term recovery?
Orthopedics is often involved when the problem is more specific. We’re consulted to treat the acute injury and then help manage the recovery process until the patient has fully recovered. Our department incorporates physical medicine, therapy services, and physiatry, or physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians. This is especially important for children with complex underlying conditions who need assistive devices like orthotics, wheelchairs, or braces. Having all of these components under one roof allows us to provide comprehensive care.
We also coordinate with other specialties. For example, when treating conditions like osteogenesis imperfecta, we work closely with endocrinology. Because we have multidisciplinary clinics, we can focus on the whole child’s needs.
We also work closely with families, especially when children have serious conditions like spinal deformities or cerebral palsy. We help them think long term — not just about the immediate issue, but what life will look like when the child is older.
Where do you see the biggest clinical advantages emerging in pediatric orthopedics?
We’re likely to see significant impacts from artificial intelligence. The ability to process large volumes of data is changing how we approach medical education, research, and outcome evaluation. In the next three to five years, this type of technology will probably have the largest impact.
We’re also seeing advancements in orthopedic implants, particularly bioabsorbable materials for children. These can dissolve over time, eliminating the need for removal and reducing long-term complications.
How are you helping prepare the next generation of orthopedic surgeons?
We have a formal training program, as well as informal training when students are on service with us. My colleagues and I also teach at UCF, working with students in classrooms, dissection labs, and physical exam training.
Medical students can spend time with us in clinics and operating rooms, which helps them explore their career interests. We also have residency programs, including one in partnership with HCA and UCF, where residents spend time training with us to meet board certification requirements.
