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Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Institute
Meet Dr. Miguel Pirela-Cruz, MD, FACS, FAAOS
Hand Specialist: CAQ Hand Fellowship
• Board certified in general orthopedics and hand surgery • Treats shoulder to finger tips • Nerve, vascular and tendon problems of the upper extremity • Treats wrist, elbow and shoulder fractures • Retired military Colonel
Dr. Pirela-Cruz philosophy to patient care is individualized. Each patient is different and he strives to get to know and understand the patient’s needs. He educates his patients on all their options and would never recommend a procedure to a patient that he wouldn’t do for himself or his family.
Dr. Pirela-Cruz earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology at State University (S.U.N.Y.) of NY, Old Westbury College. He studied Biochemistry after obtaining a Health Professions Scholarship from Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
He obtained his medical degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.
He completed a General Surgery Internship at the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in New Orleans.
His Orthopedic training was at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center/Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.
He completed his Hand Surgery training with Drs. Hunter and Larry Schnieder at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Pirela-Cruz specializes in injuries and problems related to the upper extremity which includes “fingertips to the shoulder”.
He is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery with an additional board in Hand Surgery (Certificate of Qualification) and for the last 15-years he has served as an active member of the Board of Examiners for the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
Dr. Pirela Cruz entered the United States Air Force during his last year of orthopedic residency in affiliation with the Air Force Institute of Technology as a Captain. He has been stationed at McGuire, N.J., Wright-Patterson, OH, McConnell, Kirkland, New Mexico, Homestead, Florida, Holloman, New Mexico and Luke Air Force, AZ Bases. In the Air Force, he was part of the International Health Team and traveled to many parts of the globe. He was tagged to serve for the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. He currently serves as the Company Commander for the 944 Medical Squadron at Luke AFB, Glendale as a Col., Flight Surgeon and Orthopedic Surgeon.
He served in the U.S Air Force as a Captain serving as a Staff Physician and completing his fellowship training. He promoted through the ranks to hold positions such as Major – Lt Col Flight Surgeon/Orthopedic Surgeon, Chief Hospital Services, Lt. Col and Col Flight Surgeon / Orthopedic Surgeon to his current position in the 944th Medical Squaron (Reserve Unit) as Company Commander.
Dr. Pirela-Cruz is an award-winning surgeon recognized for his excellence in Leadership and Orthopedic Surgery. He has presented, published and consulted on the complexities of orthopedic injuries, treatment therapies and surgical techniques to improve the patient’s condition and overall post-operative function.
Dr. Pirela-Cruz philosophy to patient care is individualized. Each patient is different and he strives to get to know and understand the patient’s needs. He educates his patients on all their options and would never recommend a procedure to a patient that he wouldn’t do for himself or his family.
