Edward J. Southard, MD is a board eligible, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon with special interests in the management of pathologic conditions of the shoulder and elbow. Dr. Southard completed the prestigious shoulder and elbow fellowship under the tutelage of Drs. Mark A. Frankle and Mark A. Mighell at the renowned Florida Orthopaedic Institute (FOI) in Tampa, FL. During his time at FOI, Dr. Southard was also afforded to the opportunity to further his Orthopaedic Trauma and Sports Medicine experience working alongside many other nationally revered experts in their respective fields.

Prior to his fellowship, Dr. Southard completed his residency training working alongside physicians and surgeons from Georgetown University and New York Presbyterian – Weill Cornell Medical Center in Washington DC, and New York City respectively. As a graduate of the Renaissance School of Medicine @Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY, Dr. Southard was a lifelong New Yorker until broadening his training @ FOI.

“My family and I simply loved the south; the people, the culture and the weather were simply too much of an opportunity to pass up.” “We are proud to call Florida our home, and be able to continue providing patients with the level of care the residents of this great state are accustomed to.”

Dr. Southard is a candidate member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). He serves these various societies as both an active committee member as well as volunteers as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Additionally, Dr. Southard is a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force and currently remains an active reservist.

Dr. Southard’s clinical interest are in treating arthritis of the shoulder and elbow with both traditional as well as minimally invasive techniques, injuries to the rotator cuff and shoulder girdle, arthroscopy, sports related injuries, traumatic injuries (fractures), in addition to providing general orthopaedic care.

“I like to take a conservative approach to treating my patients, while taking the time to listen to what they need based on their individual goals. Orthopaedic Surgery is an ever-advancing field of medicine, and it’s the Orthopaedic Surgeon’s job to be in the business of improving mobility for our patients, however each patient’s condition requires special individualized attention. It is for this very reason I am proud to be a part of the Florida Joint and Spine Institute and look forward to keeping our Central Florida, lakeside communities and beyond vibrant and energetic.”

In his spare time, Dr. Southard likes to remain active as well. He is passionate in teaching and playing lacrosse with his children, getting out on the water, or simply running around the shore with his family and dog.