NEW YORK — Dr. David Altchek, a pioneering orthopedic surgeon who revolutionized Tommy John surgery and served as the New York Mets’ longtime medical director, passed away on Thursday at the age of 68. His death was confirmed by the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), where he was co-chief emeritus. He had shared last year that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Altchek performed more than 2,400 Tommy John surgeries, earning a reputation as one of the most trusted and innovative figures in sports medicine. A trailblazer in elbow reconstruction, he developed the “docking procedure,” a streamlined variation of the original technique that significantly improved surgical outcomes for athletes.
Altchek served as head team physician for the New York Mets from 1991 to 2001 and later as their medical director from 2005 through 2024. He was also the North American medical director of the ATP Tour, team physician for the U.S. Davis Cup team from 1999 to 2003, and co-chief of HSS’s sports medicine and shoulder service from 2005 to 2014.
“While Dr. Altchek’s intelligence and innovations certainly benefited his patients—and sports medicine in general—his biggest impact was his warm, friendly, caring personality,” said Dr. Glenn S. Fleisig, research director at the American Sports Medicine Institute. “Colleagues, friends, and patients all loved David and are thankful for the time we had with him.”
A Life Steeped in Sports and Service
Born to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Martin Altchek, David grew up in Middletown, New York. He graduated from Columbia University and earned his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in 1982. He completed his internship at The New York Hospital and a residency at HSS, eventually training under Dr. Russell Warren, a legend in sports surgery and longtime New York Giants team physician.
In a 2024 interview with the Associated Press, Altchek reflected on his first Tommy John procedure in 1993, describing the physical toll it took and his determination to innovate.
“It took 2½ hours and I was exhausted,” he recalled. “I realized then we had to make Tommy John surgery easier. We did, and it worked amazingly well.”
His pioneering docking technique became a mainstay, unaltered for more than two decades. As one of the three most sought-after Tommy John surgeons—alongside Dr. Keith Meister of the Texas Rangers and Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Los Angeles Dodgers—Altchek reassured hundreds of professional athletes that their careers were not over.
“This is unfortunate, but it’s fixable,” he would explain to players. “We have a procedure with a 95% chance of you returning to the same level or better.”
Honors and Legacy
Altchek received the prestigious John Jay Award from Columbia University in 2003 for distinguished professional achievement. His legacy continues not only in the surgical field but also through his mentorship of countless fellows and residents, many of whom now lead sports medicine programs across the country.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Anne Salmson, and their four children: Charles, Christopher, Chloe, and Sophie. Charles Altchek currently serves as president of MLS Next Pro, Major League Soccer’s third-tier league, and was a two-time Ivy League men’s soccer player of the year at Harvard.
Dr. David Altchek’s passing marks the end of a transformative era in sports medicine. His clinical brilliance, compassionate care, and groundbreaking contributions leave a legacy that will endure in the lives of athletes and the medical professionals he inspired.