Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation

Professor
and Chair

Dr. Rajiv Rajani is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon who is fellowship trained in Pediatric and Adult Orthopaedic Oncology. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan. He then completed his residency at Emory University, and his fellowship at the University of Florida. He is a Professor and Chair of the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. His expertise especially lies in the diagnosis and treatment of all bone and soft tissue tumors of the extremities in both pediatric and adult patients. Dr. Rajani is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS). He also is a member of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS), International Society of Limb Salvage (ISOLS), the Texas Orthopaedic Association (TOA) and the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA).

Dr. Rajani served for four years on the AAOS Council on Research and Quality along with the Diversity Advisory Board. He also served on the AAOS Council of Education. Along with completing a term on the MSTS Evidence-Based Medicine Committee, he additionally has served as the MSTS Fellowship Committee Chair, spearheading the society effort to develop a fellowship credentialing pathway. He is a member of the AOA Council of Residency Directors.

His previous appointment was Vice Chair for Education and Residency Program Director for the UT Health San Antonio Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He also served on the Board for the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas.

For a list of his publications, please visit his Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=JW7GalkAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

He speaks English and basic Spanish.

Associate Professor

Dr. Adam Adler is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon who is also fellowship trained in Orthopaedic Trauma. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of New Mexico. He then completed his residency at SUNY Downstate/Kings County Hospital, and his fellowship at Stanford University. He is an Associate Professor, Director of the Orthopaedic Trauma Service and Associate Residency Program Director for the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. His practice focus includes orthopaedic trauma, adult hip reconstruction, limb deformity correction, and pelvis and acetabular surgery. He has served the El Paso community since 2016.

Dr. Adler is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), AO Trauma, and AO North America.

Dr. Adler serves on the Texas Tech/University Medical Center Field Amputation Team. He was also a vital component of treating patients and coordinating care in two mass casualty events: Hurricane Sandy (2012) and the El Paso Walmart Mass Shooting (2019).

He speaks English and basic Spanish.

Assistant Professor

Dr. Corning is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon who is fellowship trained in Orthopaedics Sports Medicine. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He completed his residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and his fellowship at Barton Health/Lake Tahoe Orthopedics Sports Medicine. He is an Assistant Professor and Director of Sports Medicine in the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AAOSM). He has served the El Paso community since 2021.

Dr. Corning also serves as the team physician for the El Paso Locomotives.

He speaks English and basic Spanish.

Professor

Douglas T. Cromack, M.D., FACS is Board Certified in Hand with the American Boards of Plastic Surgery and Plastic Surgery with the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He received his M.D. from University of Vermont College of Medicine, in Burlington, VT. He completed extensive training in Surgical Oncology from National Institutes of Health, National Center  Institute in Bethesda, MD; Resident Research at Washington University, Department of Surgery, St, Louis, MO and Plastics Residency from St. Louis University, Division of Plastic Surgery, St. Louis, MO and General Surgery Residency, St. Louis University, Department of Surgery, St. Louis, MO. He completed an Internship in General Surgery at Medical Center Hospital of  Vermont, Burlington, VT and his fellowship in Hand Surgery at Washington University, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Louis, MO.

Dr. Cromack is an active member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), Fellow American College of Surgeons (FACS), and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Dr. Cromack was a clinical professor at University of Texas Health San Antonio, Department of Orthopaedic in San Antonio, TX from 2005 until August 2024.

Dr. Cromack joined Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso in May 2025, as a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - specializing in Plastic and Hand Surgery.

Dr. Cromack’s clinical practice focuses on adult and pediatric hand surgery. Other areas of expertise include peripheral nerve surgery and limb salvage after trauma.

He is pleased to be and serve the El Paso community.

 

Assistant Professor

Dr. Ahmed Elhessy is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, elbow, and hand surgery. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, where he completed his orthopaedic surgery residency. He subsequently completed a second orthopaedic surgery residency at Hamad Medical Corporation, affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar.

Dr. Elhessy then underwent advanced subspecialty training in the United States through a series of competitive clinical and research fellowships at prestigious institutions. He completed a fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery at the Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery, followed by an orthopaedic research fellowship at the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics in Baltimore. He subsequently completed a fellowship in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery at Nemours Children’s Health and advanced fellowship training in Shoulder and Elbow Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center, affiliated with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, with a focus on complex shoulder and elbow reconstruction, arthroplasty, and sports-related injuries.

Dr. Elhessy’s clinical practice focuses on comprehensive upper extremity care, including arthroscopic and open shoulder surgery, shoulder instability, sports-related injuries, conventional and reverse shoulder arthroplasty, elbow arthroscopy and arthroplasty, hand and wrist conditions, peripheral nerve compression syndromes, congenital upper extremity disorders, microsurgical reconstruction, and complex upper extremity trauma.

He is actively involved in academic research and education and has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications. A complete list of his publications is available through his Google Scholar profile:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=C0yGproAAAAJ&hl=en

Dr. Elhessy is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES). He is a dedicated educator of medical students and residents and emphasizes evidence-based, patient-centered care. Prior to his academic career in the United States, he provided frontline surgical care during the 2011 Egyptian revolution, for which he received a Medal of Honor for exemplary medical service.

Dr. Elhessy is deeply committed to serving the El Paso community and believes it deserves the highest quality orthopaedic care. He brings more than 15 years of international and U.S.-based experience in complex upper extremity surgery to his practice. Dr. Elhessy is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care, with a focus on achieving optimal outcomes by carefully listening to patients, addressing their needs and comfort, and using these insights to develop the most effective individualized treatment plans.

He speaks English and Arabic.

Associate Professor

Dr. Karim Elsharkawy is a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon who is fellowship trained in Adult Reconstruction Surgery. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the Cairo University School of Medicine, Egypt. He completed his residency at the Cleveland Clinic in addition to a post-doctoral research fellowship. Dr. Elsharkawy also completed the Otto E. Aufranc Fellowship in Adult Reconstruction at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston. He is an Associate Professor and Director of the Adult Reconstruction Service in the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation.

His practice focus includes primary and revision total hip and knee arthroplasty procedures. He has extensive research experience in the area of joint replacement and its effects on the geriatric population. He has also co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on hip and knee replacement.

He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons of England, and the American Association for Physician Leadership. He previously served as an Assistant Lecturer at Cairo University School of Medicine, Egypt.

He speaks English, French and Arabic.

Associate Professor

Dr. John A. Heflin is a board-certified Pediatric Orthopaedics and is fellowship-trained in Pediatric Orthopaedic. He earned his Doctor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.

He completed his internship and residency at Emory University School of Medicine (Orthopaedics) at Atlanta, GA. He completed his Fellowship at University of Utah (Pediatric Orthopaedics) in Salt Lake City, UT.

He is an Associate Professor in the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. His practice focus on spinal Deformity Evaluation, Nonsurgical, and Surgical Management of the thoracic and lumbar spine; Spinal Trauma Care & Pediatric Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Care. Conditions he treats are Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, Early onset scoliosis, Congenital scoliosis, 
Neuromuscular and syndromic scoliosis, Kyphosis, Spondylolysis, Spondylolisthesis, Disk Herniation, Radiculopathy, Spinal fractures & Spinal Tumors.

Dr. Heflin is an active member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, Pediatric Spine Study Group, Utah Medical Association & Utah State Orthopaedic Society.

He speaks English.

Assistant Professor

Dr. Lauren N. Stimson is a board-eligible orthopaedic surgeon who is fellowship-trained in orthopaedic trauma. She earned her Doctor of Medicine at Texas A&M College of Medicine in Bryan, Texas.

She completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Wayne State University/ Detroit Medical Center. She then completed an orthopedic trauma fellowship at Yale University.

She is an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at Texas Tech University Health Science Center in El Paso, TX. Her practice includes the management of pelvic ring and acetabular fractures, upper and lower extremity fractures, post traumatic infections, fracture nonunions, fracture related infections, and periprosthetic fractures.

Dr. Stimson is an active member of AO Trauma, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). She has experience in clinical and basic science research, with multiple peer-reviewed publications. A list of Dr. Stimson’s publications can be found on her Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Ok9RIQYAAAAJ&hl=en=

She speaks English.

Assistant Professor

Dr. Andrew Tyler is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who is fellowship-trained in orthopaedic trauma. He earned his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where he also earned his Doctor of Philosophy in immunology.

He completed his internship and residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and a fellowship in orthopaedic trauma from Vanderbilt University.

He is an assistant professor in the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. His practice focus includes orthopaedic trauma, upper and lower extremity fracture repair, musculoskeletal infection, post-traumatic reconstruction, limb deformity correction, pelvic and acetabular surgery, and adult shoulder, hip, and knee reconstruction.

Dr. Tyler is an active member of AO Trauma, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA). He has extensive experience performing clinical and basic science research and has published multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters.

He speaks English and basic Spanish.

Assistant Professor

Dr. Taylor Yong is a board-eligible orthopaedic surgeon who is fellowship trained in orthopaedic trauma. He received his Doctor of Medicine here at Texas Tech Health El Paso. He then completed a unique 6-year residency track at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center which included a Master of Science in Healthcare Research from the Dartmouth Institute. After residency, he completed his orthopaedic trauma fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Yong was also awarded the prestigious AO Trauma North America Jack McDaniel Memorial Fellowship, completing additional training at Universitätsspital Basel in Switzerland. His practice focus includes orthopaedic trauma, the polytraumatized patient, pelvic and acetabular surgery, and musculoskeletal infection. He is an Assistant Professor for the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. He has served the El Paso community since 2022.

Dr. Yong is an active member of AO Trauma, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Emerging Leaders Program. He is passionate about education, mentorship, and research. For a list of his publications, please visit his Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&tzom=360&user=KPF8XpAAAAAJ

He speaks English and has a limited-working proficiency with Spanish. 

Associate Professor

Dr. Marcella R. Woiczik is Board-Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and is fellowship-trained in Pediatric Orthopedics. She earned her Doctor of Medicine at Medical College of Ohio (Medicine) in Toledo, OH.

She completed her internship and residency at Medical College of Wisconsin (Orthopedics) in Milwaukee, WI. She completed her Fellowship at University of Utah School of Medicine (Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery) in Salt Lake City, UT in 2008.

She is an Associate Professor in the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. Her practice focuses on Pediatric Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Care, Hip reconstruction: Infant through Young Adult, Limb and Foot deformity treatment. Conditions she treats are Fracture Care and Traumatic Injury,

Abnormal Gait, Hip Dysplasia (DDH), SCFE, Legg Calve Perthes Disease, Benign Bone Lesions, Genu Varum & Valgum, Femoral & Tibial Torsion, Limb Length Discrepancy, Neuromuscular Disorders, Congenital & Metabolic Disorders, Skeletal Dysplasia, Foot & Ankle Conditions, including – Clubfoot, Congenital Vertical Talus, Pes planus, Tarsal Coalition, Accessory navicular, Toe-walking & Polydactyly.

Dr. Woiczik is an active member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America.

She speaks English.

 Faculty Associate

Dr. Gil Moreu is a Board Certified Podiatric Surgeon. He earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (formerly Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine) and his residency in Surgical Podiatry at Dunlap Memorial Hospital. He is a Faculty Associate in the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, and has been with our department since 2004. He has been serving the El Paso community since 1992.

His practice focus is on podiatry (foot disorders). He previously worked at the Bassett Foot Care Center, in private practice, the Foot Specialists of El Paso, and the William Beaumont Army Medical Center Orthopaedic/Podiatry Clinic.

He speaks English and fluent Spanish.

Faculty Associate

Rona Fagan is a Certified Orthopaedic Nurse. She is a Faculty Associate in the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, and has been with our department since 1989. She is an integral part of not only our department, but the El Paso orthopaedic community as a whole.

Her practice focus is general orthopaedics. She assists in running Tech and William Beaumont faculty clinics, coordinating patient surgery and care here and at our affiliated hospitals, and providing patient education pre- and post-op. She plays an active role in resident education and support, among the many other hats she wears. Rona has been serving the El Paso community since 1971.  She previously served as a nurse in the United States Army and the Hospitals of Providence in Infection Control and Critical Care.

She speaks English and basic Spanish.

Staff Physician

Dr. Joshua Ekladios is a Board-Eligible Podiatric Surgeon who is also fellowship-trained in Foot and Ankle Reconstruction. He obtained his master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Barry University, followed by his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine degree from Temple University. He then completed his residency at Virtua Health-Rowan University School of Medicine, serving as co-chief resident during his final year. Dr. Ekladios finished his training with an advanced foot and ankle reconstruction fellowship at the Florida Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center. He is a Staff Physician and Surgeon within the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, and has been with the department serving the El Paso community since 2024. His practice focus includes primary and revision total ankle replacement (TAR), Charcot foot and ankle reconstruction, sports medicine, diabetic limb salvage, arthroscopy, and minimally-invasive foot and ankle surgery.

Dr. Ekladios is board-qualified in both Forefoot and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS). He is also an associate and member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) and Texas Podiatric Medical Association (TPMA). He has had numerous peer-reviewed journal publications and posters presented at both the local and national levels, with research interests in management of foot and ankle arthritis, Charcot foot deformity, and metal-free orthopedic surgery.

Dr. Ekladios also serves as Director of Education and staff physician for the Hands of Mercy Health Initiative, a biannual orthopedic surgical camp and mission trip in Uganda. He is passionate about mentorship and philanthropy in medicine.

He speaks English and basic Spanish.

Staff Physician

Dr. Marina Tony is a Board-Eligible Podiatric Surgeon who is fellowship-trained in Foot and Ankle Reconstruction. Dr. Tony attended Barry University where she graduated with honors at the top of her class while earning her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine degree. She then completed her residency through Thomas Jefferson University Health working extensively with the Rothman Orthopedic Institute. Dr. Tony completed her training with an advanced foot and ankle reconstruction fellowship through Emory University and Wellstar Health System. She also obtained further experience in orthoplastics and pediatric deformity correction through rotations at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. She is a Staff Physician and Surgeon within the Texas Tech Health El Paso Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation and has been serving the El Paso community since 2024 with our department. Her practice focus includes diabetic limb salvage and wound care, Charcot foot and ankle reconstruction, minimally-invasive foot and ankle surgery, lower extremity trauma/deformity correction, and total ankle replacement (TAR).

Dr. Tony is an active member and associate of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). She is Board-Qualified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) in both Foot and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle surgery. She has had research and lectures presented at the state and national levels regarding post-traumatic Charcot deformity, TAR periprosthetic cyst formation, and elective surgery in diabetics. She is passionate about international medicine and medical philanthropy as evidenced through her involvement in medical surgical mission trips to Yucatan, Dominican Republic, and Uganda. She currently serves as Chief Medical Officer for the Hands of Mercy Health Initiative, a biannual pediatric orthopedic surgical camp in Uganda, through which she helps to coordinate roles for all surgical and nonsurgical disciplines.

She speaks English and fluent Arabic

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