ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALTIES - Key Persons
Trained in the specialty of orthopaedic spine, Allison Burgess is an invaluable medical provider at Orthopaedic Specialties of Tampa Bay. As Dr. Piazza's Physician Assistant, she practices alongside and as an extension of him to fortify patient care in the office and in the hospital. She performs consultations and evaluations of patients where she provides education and discusses surgical planning. During surgeries, Allison also assists Dr. Piazza in the operating room as first assist to help patients receive the utmost surgical care. Because she has extensive knowledge regarding the surgical plan and intra-operative procedure, Allison also is able to provide patients with detailed pre and post operative care to ensure their recovery goes as smoothly as possible. In addition to surgical care, she is also trained in advanced injecting techniques. Her clinical intuition, personable approach, and unparalleled surgical skills immerse her in all stages of patient care.
After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Lee University in Cleveland, TN, Allison attended Marietta College's Physician Assistant Program in Marietta, OH where she received several accolades for her leadership, commitment to academic excellence, and humanitarian approach toward healthcare. Graduating with her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies, Allison entered into the field of medicine with competency and compassion. She has focused on orthopedics with a particular interest for conservative management of the spine.
Originally from Belpre, Ohio, Allison currently lives with her husband and dog in the Tampa Bay area where they frequently enjoy traveling and relaxing at the beach.
Allison is board certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). She is an active member of the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Florida Association of Physician Assistants (FAPA), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and the North American Spine Society (NASS).
Dr. Anthony Marcotte, a Chicago native, earned his Bachelor of Science degree, double majoring in Bioengineering and Chemistry from University of Illinois - Urbana, in 1999. He then attended medical school at Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downer's Grove, Illinois, where he earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in 2003 as class Salutatorian.
From 2003 to 2008, Dr. Marcotte completed his Internship and Orthopedic Residency programs at Grandview Hospital and Medical Center, Ohio University, in Dayton, Ohio. He was nationally honored with the Merck Outstanding Resident of the Year Award during his chief year. Dr. Marcotte fulfilled three resident externships in hand surgery at Indiana Hand Center in Indianapolis; Philadelphia Hand Center in Philadelphia; and Hand Surgery Specialists in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He subsequently finished a fellowship in hand surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston in 2009.
Dr. Marcotte specializes in the evaluation and treatment of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder, and microvascular reconstruction. Conditions treated include trauma, arthritis, sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, fractures and cysts, as well as peripheral nerve and vascular disorders. He is trained in arthroscopy, microsurgical, vascular, reconstructive, and small joint replacement surgery, including minimally invasive endoscopic carpal tunnel release. He is one of few hand surgeons in the state who regularly performs needle aponeurotomy for Dupuytren's contracture.
He is an assistant clinical professor and educates medical students, residents, and fellows through USF and Nova Southeastern University.
He has published many peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, and delivered lectures on local and national levels. Dr. Marcotte is a member of several professional societies, including the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO), American Osteopathic Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and American Society for Surgery of the Hand. He is currently the president of the Hand section of the AOAO.
Dr. Marcotte is board certified with the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and with the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery with a certificate of added qualifications (CAQ) in hand and upper extremity surgery.
When not in the office, Dr. Marcotte can be found fishing or spending time with his wife and three children.
Matthew Benson, PA-C, is a highly skilled healthcare professional with expertise in Orthopedic Surgery and the comprehensive care of preoperative and postoperative patients. He completed his Physician Assistant education at Barry University, graduating with honors in 2012. He was actively involved with student leadership and development while completing his degree. With his expansive knowledge and skill base, Matthew provides excellent patient care and demonstrates advanced injection and procedural techniques.
Originally from Swartz Creek, MI, Matthew moved to Florida in 2003 after completing his undergraduate studies at Central Michigan University. He started his career as an Athletic Trainer/Sports Medicine specialist. He had the privilege of working as the Head Athletic Trainer of the Tampa Bay Storm in the Arena Football League from 2004-2007. He then took a position as teacher/athletic trainer at Seminole High School in Seminole, FL until 2010 prior to heading to PA school.
Matthew is a board-certified PA-C from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). He also maintains active memberships to multiple associations for his ongoing education and development such as the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), Florida Association of Physician Assistants (FAPA), and American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants (AASPA).
He is a dedicated family man and has an incredible wife and two sons. Matthew finds joy in coaching his sons in various sports and always looks forward to spending quality time with his family and friends boating and golfing as often as time allows.
Dr. Richard Howell is a Fellowship trained Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in Sports Injuries and Surgery, Shoulder Surgery, and Hip Arthroscopy. His clinical interests include Shoulder Dislocations and Labral Tears, Rotator Cuff Tears, Shoulder Arthritis and Arthroplasty (Joint Replacement), Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears, Multiple Ligament Knee Injuries, Meniscus Tears, Cartilage Damage, Hip Labral Tears, Femoroacetabular Impingement, and Joint Preservation.
Dr. Howell is a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He attended Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor's degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He went on to receive his Medical Doctorate from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia where he was also inducted into the medical honors society. Following medical school, Dr. Howell remained at Drexel University for five years of orthopaedic surgery residency training with extensive experience in joint replacement and trauma surgery. He was selected as Chief Resident during his final year. He then completed a fellowship in Sports Surgery at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. His fellowship encompassed all areas of sports surgery, in addition to an emphasis on shoulder replacement and hip arthroscopy.
Dr. Howell has published manuscripts in peer-reviewed scientific journals on the subjects of meniscus injury, nerve blocks for knee surgery, and spine column injuries. He has presented his research at orthopaedic meetings and frequently gives lectures to train other surgeons.
He served as Team Physician for the Chinese National Olympic Men's and Women's Volleyball teams, Women's NBA Chicago Sky, University of Chicago, and Concordia University.
In his free time, Dr. Howell enjoys running, golf, hunting, attending sports events, and being on the water. His wife, Marta, is a native Floridian. Together they enjoy traveling, hiking, and anything outdoors.
Born in Inglewood, California, Dr. W. Allen Hughes II earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology and Chemistry from California State University in 1978, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He went on to earn his Medical Degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago in 1982. Dr. Hughes completed his General Surgical Internship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago in 1983, and completed his Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Northwestern University Medical School in 1987. Dr. Hughes served as Chief Resident at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago in 1986.
Dr. Hughes maintained a private practice in Clearwater until July 2005 when he joined Orthopaedic Specialties of Tampa Bay, P.A.
Dr. Hughes specializes in the treatment of arthritis of the hip, knee and shoulder. He offers joint preservation techniques for knee arthritis and state of the art computer-assisted navigation for hip and knee replacement. Dr. Hughes also specializes in sports medicine, serving since 1989 as a team physician to the Philadelphia Phillies. In addition to the specialized services that Dr. Hughes provides, he also treats all types of orthopaedic related problems.
Dr. Hughes is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.