The American Health Council has welcomed Dr. Michael J. Pensak, M.D. as ” Best in Medicine” in recognition of his outstanding dedication in the field of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Pensak has always wanted to pursue a career that helped improve people’s lives. This started with him achieving his medical degree, graduating in 2009 from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences Center, New York. Following on from this accomplishment, Dr. Pensak had the opportunity to complete his Residency at the University of Connecticut Health Center. He was handpicked to serve as the first research resident and completed a dedicated year of basic science research under then Chairman, Dr. Jay R. Lieberman, an international expert in total joint arthroplasty and leader in the field of orthopedic gene therapy research. During this year, he completed several basic science investigations and went on to publish numerous peer reviewed publications. His research would go on to win several awards and be shared across regional and national level conferences including the prestigious Orthopedic Research Society.
Keen to continue with his medical training, Dr. Pensak attended the University of Colorado where he completed his hand and microvascular Fellowship. Dr. Pensak also became Board- Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and achieved a subspecialty Certificate in Surgery of the Hand.
Dr. Pensak has gained extensive knowledge and experience during his 11-year tenure in the medical field. At present, Dr. Pensak is a partner at Ocean Orthopedic Associates and President of the group. He sees patients at their offices in Toms River and Old Bridge, New Jersey. In his daily role, Dr. Pensak focuses on treatments of the hand and upper extremity including complex trauma, congenital deformities, tumor conditions, nerve and tendon disorders and work related injuries. He also takes care of a wide array of orthopedic injuries and conditions outside the scope of hand and upper extremity. As a highly respected orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Pensak is also affiliated with various hospitals and surgical centers. He currently offers high quality treatment to patients at Community Medical Center, Toms River; Ocean Medical Center, Brick; Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge; and Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Pensak has been noted for his written works and has contributed a number of articles to the National Library of Medicine on topics surrounding gene therapy applications for bone regeneration, applications of bone matrices for healing critical sized bony defects, rotator cuff repair, mood disorders and their impact on hand and upper extremity pain and numerous other orthopedic topics. He has currently published and contributed to over 30 abstracts, book chapters and peer-reviewed clinical and basic science research articles.
In a continuous effort to broaden his knowledge, Dr. Pensak maintains active membership in various professional associations including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, New Jersey Doctor Patient Alliance, and the New Jersey Orthopedic Society.