Dr. Vella is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in Joint Replacement Surgery, Sports Medicine and Fracture Care. He received his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical Center and his bachelor’s degree from Siena College.
Dr. Vella has participated in Operation Walk Syracuse, a not-for-profit volunteer medical services organization that provides free surgical treatments for patients in developing countries and in the United States.
Education
University of Rochester, Rochester NY, 1972-1973
Siena College, Loudonville NY, BS in Biology, Suma Cum Laude, 1973-1976
SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse NY, MD, 1976-1980
Orthopedic Residency Training
Rhode Island Hospital, Providence RI, Assistant Resident - Orthopaedic Surgery, 1982-1985
Rhode Island Hospital, Providence RI, Chief Resident - Orthopaedic Surgery, 1985-1986
VA Hospital, Providence RI, Chief Resident - Orthopaedic Surgery, 1985-1986
Orthopedic Fellowship Training
Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, Adult Reconstructive Surgery, 1986-1987
American Heart Association, Summer Fellowship, 1977
Brown University, Providence RI, Orthopaedic Surgery, 1984-1985
General Surgical Training
Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse NY, Clinical Assistant, 1980-1981
Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse NY, Assistant Resident, 1981-1982
The Clinical Experience
Specializing in Joint Replacement Surgery
Licensure
State of New York, 1981
State of Massachusetts, 1986
Professional Society Members
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American College of Surgeons
Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society
American Medical Association
Onondaga County Medical Society
Publications
National and International Presentations
"The Cavus Foot",Orthopedic Grade Rounds, Veterans Administration Hospital, Davis Park, Providence, Rhode Island, 1983
"Bone Grafting: History, Techniques, Physiology, 1983 and Biomechanics", Orthopedic Grade Rounds, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
"Septic Arthritis", Pediatric Conference, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 1983
"Lumbar Vertebral Spine Fusion with 1983 Osteoinductive Matrix", Research Conference, Department of Orthopedics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
"Carpal and Metacarpal Fractures", Combined Hand Conference, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 1983
"Traumatic Disruption of the Axillary Artery 1984 Following Anterior Dislocation of the Shoulder", New England Orthopaedic Society, Newport, Rhode Island
"Arthroscopy of the Arthritic Joint" 1985, Rheumatology Fellows Conference, Roger Williams General Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
"Subtrochanteric Fractures of the Femur", Orthopedic Grand Rounds, Department of Orthopedics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 1985
"Split Cleft Deformities of the Foot", Senior Orthopedic Thesis, Department of Orthopedics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 1986
"Update of Kinematic Total Knee Arthroplasty", Reconstructive Conference, Department of Orthopedics
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 1987
"Total Knee Arthroplasty: Press-Fit Condylar 1987 Prosthesis", Johnson & Johnson Products, Bioskills Workshop, A.A.O.S., San Francisco, California
"Total Knee Arthroplasty: Evolution, 1987 Biomechanics, and Five-Year Kinematic Data", HowMedica Orthopedic Products, Teaching Seminar, Rutherford, New Jersey
"Techniques of Intramedullary Rodding of 1987 The Femur", Fracture Conference, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
"Common Problems about the Knee", General Electric, Johnson City, New York, 1987
"The Elderly Knee", Senior Security Lectures, United Health Services, Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City, New York, 1988
Student Family Practice Orthopedic 1991-1992; 1992-1993; Lecture Series 1993-1994; 1994-1995;
Syracuse, New York 1995-Present
Primary Practice Lecture - Common Clinical
Orthopedic Problems for the Family
Practitioner, Primary Care Physician
Community General Hospital
Syracuse, New York, 1992
"The Hip from Birth to Death", Nurse Practitioners' Lecture, Community General Hospital, Syracuse, New York, 1994
Greater Syracuse Orthopedic Associates, Lectures on Dislocated Shoulder and Hip Fractures
Syracuse, New York, 1985
"Common Hand Problems and Biomechanics 1994 of the Hand", Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Workshop, Syracuse, New York
