Richard J. DiStefano, MD

Our hearts are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Dr. Richard DiStefano. “Dr. D” cared for our community and improved countless lives with his medical skills during his tenure at SOS. We will fondly remember his humor, bright smile, and kind heart.

Dr. Richard DiStefano, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, specialized in spinal surgery and also practiced general orthopedic surgery, including trauma fracture care, joint reconstruction and replacements, arthroscopic surgeries of the shoulders and knees, and hand surgery.  He received his medical degree from SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse School of Medicine and a degree in chemical engineering from Yale University. Dr. DiStefano also participated in a humanitarian medical expedition providing surgical services in Lima, Peru.

Education
Tupper Lake Central High School, 1972-1976
Regents High School Diploma, June 1976

Yale University, Engineering and Applied Science/ Chemical Engineer, 1976-1980
BS Degree, May 1980 

St. Lawrence University, Pre Med Course Work, 1983-1984

SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, School of Medicine, 1985-1989
Medical Doctorate Degree, May 1989

Orthopedic Training Residency
SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship Residency Program, 1990-1994
SUNY Health Science Center at Buffalo, Spine Surgery Fellowship, 1994-1995

General Surgical Training
SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, General Surgery Internship, 1989-1990

The Clinical Experience
Specializes in spinal surgery and also practices general orthopedic surgery including trauma fracture care, joint reconstruction and replacements, arthroscopic surgeries of the shoulders and knees, and hand surgery.

Licensure
State of New York, 1991

Publications

Presentations/Publications
Simmons, Ed, DiStefano R.J.; Thirty- six years of experience of cervical extension osteotomy in ankylosing spondylitis. Spine 2006; 31:3006-3012

Spadaro, J.A; DiStefano, R.J.; Chase S.E.; Evaluation of Dense and Porous Antimicrobial hydroxyapatite materials. Orthopedic research Society; Washington, D.C. February 1992

Spadaro, J.A; DiStefano, R.J.; Chase S.E.: An antibacterial hydroxyapatite- In- vitro and In vivo Studies. Society for Biomaterials Transactions; Scottsdale, AZ May 1991

Spadaro, J.A; DiStefano, R.J.; Chase S.E.: demineralized Bone Alloimplants- Effects of PMF stimulation on ossification. Bioelectrochemical Society Transactions; Pont- A- Mousson, France. September 1989

Spadaro, J.A; DiStefano, R.J.; Chase S.E. Effect of PEMF on early phase of bone induction. Bioelectrical Repair and Growth Society Transactions; Cleveland, OH. September 1989