After more than 30 years of providing exceptional care for patients, Dr. Bednar retired from practice on December 31, 2019
Education and Experience
John Michael Bednar, M.D. is one of Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Centers’ outstanding experts for Orthopaedic care of the hand. Born in Wallington, New Jersey, Dr. Bednar earned his B.A. in biochemistry and his M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania. He was invited to remain at the University of Pennsylvania for a surgical internship, residencies in Orthopaedic research and Orthopaedic surgery followed by a hand surgery fellowship.
Dr. Bednar worked at Cooper Hospital in Camden from 1987 to 1990 gaining experience and expertise in treating patients with severe trauma injuries of the upper extremity. From 1990 to 1993 Dr. Bednar joined the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Orthopaedic surgery in the hand surgery division. His tenure at Penn included basic science research on nerve regeneration. In 1993, he proudly joined Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center to continue his interest and passion in hand and upper extremity research, academics, and patient care with other internationally renowned clinicians. Since that time, Dr. Bednar has contributed greatly to the growing body of knowledge in the young field of hand surgery through research, publications, and invited lectures. He is currently active as a Clinical Associate Professor at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Bednar’s practice focuses on disorders of the hand, wrist, arm and elbow with additional expertise in arthoroscopy, wrist ligament injuries, rheumatoid hand deformity, Dupuytren's contracture, as well as upper extremity nerve related injuries.
His personal interest in saltwater fishing, horses, and dog training give him extra insight into the treatment and special needs of patients injured in the pursuit of these interests.
Respected Author, Leader and Invited Presenter
Dr. Bednar has served as President of the Philadelphia Hand Society, and Editor-in-Chief of the University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedics Journal. He is currently the President of the Hand Rehabilitation Foundation, a non-profit entity which supports the advancement, training and research of Surgery and Therapy of the hand and upper extremity and Secretary of the American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand Dr. Bednar has delivered scores of lectures and presentations nationally and internationally. He has written numerous original papers, abstracts, chapters and articles, and is editor of the book Complications of Common Hand Procedures and co-editor of the Global Service Guide for Hand Surgery.