World-Leading Hand and Upper Extremity Care at The Curtis National Hand Center in Baltimore
An internationally recognized leader in hand and upper extremity care, The Curtis National Hand Center at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital is one of the world’s largest and most experienced destinations for hand and upper extremity treatment. We’re home to the nation’s largest team of fellowship-trained hand surgeons and specialty-trained certified hand therapists, providing comprehensive care for conditions of the hand, wrist, arm, elbow, and shoulder.
Since 1975, people from across Baltimore, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and throughout the United States have placed their trust, and their hands, in ours. Founded by Dr. Raymond M. Curtis, The Center is widely known as the birthplace of the hand surgery subspecialty and has grown into the largest hand center in the world. Today, we proudly include skillful and research-led surgeons, a renowned hand and upper extremity fellowship program, a full research department, and an affiliation with the largest hand rehabilitation center in the nation.
Our center cares for local patients while also serving as a major referral destination for individuals across the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond who seek advanced expertise, complex surgical procedures, and optimized care for even the most challenging conditions.
The Curtis National Hand Center is designated as the only Level I Hand and Upper Extremity Trauma Center in Maryland by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Systems and remains the only such center in the United States to earn this distinction. This national recognition underscores our leadership in hand trauma care, reconstructive microsurgery, and complex upper extremity surgery, reflecting our unmatched capability in treating complex injuries and delivering rapid, expert emergency care.
Our certified hand therapists are extensively trained in the rehabilitation of hand and upper extremity injuries and conditions. Whether your injury is mild, chronic, or traumatic, our multidisciplinary team—surgeons, occupational therapists, and physical therapists—works together to help you regain function, reduce pain, and achieve your recovery goals.
Housed within a specialized 23,000-square-foot facility in the Johnston Professional Building at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, our center was uniquely designed for comprehensive hand and upper extremity care. With a long history of excellence, state-of-the-art treatment options, world-leading research, and a compassionate patient-centered approach, The Curtis National Hand Center remains the premier choice for hand and arm care, no matter how common or complex.
Our Mission Statement and Vision for Excellence in Hand and Upper Extremity Care
We are a global leader in hand and upper extremity surgery, trauma care, and rehabilitation. As home to the nation’s largest team of fellowship-trained hand surgeons and with expertise in both orthopedic and plastic surgery, our dedication is to world-class care for patients with hand, wrist, arm, elbow, and shoulder conditions. Our faculty are deeply committed to advancing the field through education, research, and mentorship, supporting a renowned hand and upper extremity fellowship program.
We care for hundreds of patients transferred to us each year for specialized expertise. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond our walls through major collaborations that expand access to cutting-edge care, and we consistently uphold this high standard of care every day.
- Proudly designated as Maryland’s only Level I Hand and Upper Extremity Trauma Center by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems
-
We partner with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to treat injured service members
- We also work closely with Johns Hopkins University on pioneering initiatives in hand transplantation and transformative research.
With a mission grounded in clinical excellence, innovation, and compassionate care, The Curtis National Hand Center remains the premier destination for hand and upper extremity treatment in the United States.
Learn more about our team and what we specialize in from our Chief Dr. James P. Higgins:
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
-
William Hugh Baugher, MD
Orthopedic Surgery & Hand Surgery
-
Constance Ngepwung Bezankeng, MMS PA
Hand Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
-
Kyle James Clover, MSPAS PA
Orthopedic Surgery
-
Aviram Moshe Giladi, MD
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery & Hand Surgery
-
Jill E Glick, MSPAS PA
Orthopedic Surgery & Shoulder And Elbow Orthopedic Surgery
-
James P. Higgins, MD
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery & Hand Surgery
-
Michelle Bohyung Kim, MPAS PA
Hand Surgery
-
Jennifer Lynn Kropkowski, BS MPAS PAC
Orthopedic Surgery
-
Megan Elizabeth Lattimer, MPAS PA
Orthopedic Surgery
-
Kenneth Robert Means, MD
Orthopedic Surgery & Hand Surgery
-
Michael Sean Murphy, MD
Hand Surgery
-
Christopher Lee Forthman, MD
Hand Surgery, Shoulder And Elbow Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
-
Peter C. Innis, MD
Hand Surgery
-
Kristin Elizabeth Karim, MD
Orthopedic Surgery & Hand Surgery
-
Keith Alan Segalman, MD
Hand Surgery
-
Valeriy Shubinets, MD
Hand Surgery & Plastic Surgery
-
Neal Brian Zimmerman, MD
Hand Surgery
-
Ryan Michael Zimmerman, MD
Hand Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
Show All
Meet our research staff
-
Aviram M. Giladi, MD, MS
Research Director
-
Kenneth R. Means Jr., MD
Vice-Chief of Hand Surgery
-
Isaac C. Fleming, CCRC
Program Manager
-
Carly Kingston
Research Coordinator
-
Naomi Gail Rafi, MHS
Research Coordinator
-
Crisanto Macaraeg, CCRC
Research Coordinator
-
Ashley Bartee
Research Assistant
-
Gabriel Yohe, MS
Analyst
-
Gongliang Zhang, Ph.D, MS
Informatics Analyst
The Curtis National Hand Center, Medstar Union Memorial Hospital
Biostatistics and Biomedical Informatics, Medstar Health Research
Institute -
Kelsey Brannon
Medical Editor
-
Rebecca J. Saunders, PT, CHT
Clinical Specialist for Research and Staff Development
Hand and Upper Extremity Therapy Program -
Sione Fanua, MSc
Microsurgery Research
-
Pooyan Abbasi, MSc
Director of Medical Research Laboratory
Biomechanics and STAT Laboratories
Conditions and treatments
Visiting The Center
Our specialized hand therapy facility is conveniently located at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. Our certified hand therapists are specially trained in the rehabilitation of hand and upper extremity injuries and conditions.
Whether your injury is mild or traumatic, our team of experts is ready to help you regain function, reduce pain, and achieve your recovery goals.
Ample free parking is available.
Hours of operation:
Monday to Thursday
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Patient and visitor information
At our hospital the staff, nurses, and physicians work as a unit to find you the best and most effective treatment. The information below is designed to help make your experience with us as comfortable as possible.
In-patient experience
While you are here in our hospital, we’ll make sure your stay is as safe, pleasant, and comfortable as possible.
Patient stories
Stories
Videos
In the news
Prestigious Weiland Medal Awarded to Chief of MedStar Health’s Curtis National Hand Center
Experts at the Curtis National Hand Center Urge Fireworks Safety
$2.4 Million Renovation Project Begins at MedStar Health’s Curtis National Hand Center
MedStar Health Unveils $3.2 Million Expansion at Curtis National Hand Center VIP Event
Curtis National Hand Center Performs First-of-its-Kind Surgery in the U.S.
Other Helpful Links:
Give Back to The Curtis National Hand Center
To meet the needs of our patients today and for generations to come, we are committed to building a facility that matches the extraordinarily high level of expertise of our surgeons and caregivers.
Learn more about our residency and fellowship programs
Hand Surgery Fellowship Program
Curtis National Hand Center Research
Research is a core pillar of the Curtis National Hand Center, supported by surgeon-scientists with a long history of high-impact contributions and state-of-the-art basic science, biomechanics, and outcomes research facilities. Our fellows complete dedicated research projects during training, and numerous resident-led studies are actively conducted in collaboration with orthopedic and plastic surgery residents from MedStar and Johns Hopkins hospitals. Our team consistently presents at leading national and regional meetings and publishes in top journals across the specialty.
Insurance
MedStar Health participates with most major health insurance plans. Please contact your insurance company to make sure your plan is covered.