Dr. Thomas Hunt: A Generational Talent in Orthopedics Brings His Vision to Lee Health’s MSK Institute

Dr. Hunt, the father of four children, shares a smile with his youngest son after the game.

Dr. Thomas Hunt admits he is “a precise person.” In other words, he’s very careful and accurate, especially about small details. That’s a good thing because in the medical subspecialty known as the hand and upper extremity, it’s all about the details. 

For more than 30 years, the board-certified orthopedic surgeon has devoted himself to the treatment of patients with disorders involving the hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow. 

A year ago last month, Dr. Hunt  brought his niche skills to the new Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute (MSK) as vice president and chief physician executive.

A modest Midwestern Kansas native, Dr. Hunt has lofty aspirations for the Institute. He has in mind to develop the MSK Institute into a regional and national destination for excellence in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of bone, muscle, tendon, nerve, and joint injuries and ailments. 

WATCH HEALTH MATTERS: DR. HUNT DISCUSSES MSK’S COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

“At the MSK Institute, our services include orthopedics and sports medicine, spine surgery and pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, rheumatology, as well as physical/occupational therapy and performance medicine” Dr. Hunt explains. “We’re passionate about providing highly coordinated, individualized, patient-centered care to achieve a rapid, predictable, and effective return to even the highest-level of activity.”

A career in service to others

Dr. Hunt says the needs of Southwest Florida’s large and growing, diverse community was a key motivator behind his decision to join Lee Health.

“For the most part, my career has been in academic medicine, focused on teaching the next generation of physicians and surgeons, while providing care to underserved populations and trauma victims,” he says. “For example, at Baylor College of Medicine, in addition to our university medical center duties, members of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery provided care for patients at Texas Children’s Hospital, the Michael DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Ben Taub Hospital (a Level 1 Trauma Center). 

“These safety net hospitals provide medical care to patients regardless of their insurance coverage or ability to pay. Service of those in need represents the essence of being a physician and, like most in my profession, is exceedingly important to me.” 

Orthopedics or architecture?

As a young man heading off to college, Dr. Hunt originally considered a career in architecture. Architecture and orthopedic surgery share some important similarities. Both professions create plans and blueprints from which their practitioners draw upon to achieve the best results. Whether constructing a safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing building, or reconstructing a damaged and deformed forearm, these artists at the drafting and surgical tables rely on precise measurements and specifications to ensure optimal outcomes. 

“In medical school, I liked most every surgical specialty,” Dr. Hunt says. “I knew I wanted to use my hands to heal and fell in love with orthopedics and hand surgery because the results were so tangible. I enjoyed the satisfaction of watching patients recover after surgery and return to their active lives. Hand and upper extremity conditions are demanding because they are diagnostically complex and require extreme surgical precision. I enjoy the challenges of each.”

The bones of the hand, despite their tiny size and unusual contours, are crucial for dexterity and functionality. They evolved to allow for a wide range of movements and the ability to perform intricate tasks so important in our daily lives.

“The hand allows one to express themself and communicate with their environment,” he says. “It’s a remarkable part of our anatomy with crucial social implications. It helps make us human and serves as the privileged messenger of the mind.” 

WATCH AND READ: MEET DR. HUNT

Dr. Hunt earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Stanford University, a Doctorate of Medicine from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency training at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City and his fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

A passionate educator, Dr. Hunt earned a second Doctorate of Science in Healthcare Leadership from the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Health Professions. He’s also a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

From the gridiron sideline to the surgical table 

During his career, Dr. Hunt’s accomplishments have accumulated like the statistics of the high-performing athlete who commands their sport over decades of sustained career excellence. Fitting then, his accomplishments also include serving as a team physician for the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, and the Arizona Cardinals. He also remains senior advisor to the NFL’s Musculoskeletal Committee, designated second opinion physician for the NBA, and medical advisor for the Titleist Performance Institute.

Dr. Hunt also participates as the hand and wrist consultant at the NFL’s Scouting Combine, held every year typically in February. During this four-day, invitation-only event, draft-eligible college football players undergo intense physical and radiographic testing to determine their health and assess their ability to play the game at the professional level. 

“Teams want to know how to rank players before the NFL draft. Typically, it is a multimillion-dollar decision.” Dr. Hunt explains. “They get beat up during the college seasons and teams want to draft those players at their physical best. As an NFL consultant, I help the teams determine what it might take to get individual players where they need to be to play in the league.” 

Accomplishments and accolades

An experienced physician leader, orthopedic educator and clinical innovator, Dr. Hunt has published articles, book chapters, textbooks, and delivered countless lectures and symposia throughout the world.

He’s also designed unique surgical implants used today for wrist fracture fixation as well as protocols permitting precise, remote perioperative care.

His academic leadership positions throughout his career include endowed professor and chair of orthopedic surgery at the University of Alabama Birmingham and at Baylor College of Medicine. Also, before joining Lee Health, he was chief of the musculoskeletal service line at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston and chief physician executive for CommonSpirit Health’s Texas Division orthopedic service line.

The rare athlete that achieves the pinnacle in their sport requires discipline, mental focus, competitive drive, ability, and leadership qualities. Dr. Hunt’s capacity to lead others on his team to get the best from their individual and collective talents makes him an ideal fit with Lee Health. 

“Dr. Hunt will elevate Lee Health’s commitment to wellness and value-based patient care in orthopedics and associated disciplines,” says Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, Lee Health’s Chief Medical Officer. “He has a proven track record of providing high-quality patient care along with growing and expanding orthopedic care. We know he will be a huge asset to Southwest Florida.”