David Chan, M.D.

David Chan, M.D

Dr. Chan is a fellowship trained, Board Certified Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon. He is a native Floridian, Chinese-American whose immigrant parents have given him the opportunity to pursue his interests in helping those in his community live a better quality of life. His interests include minimally invasive techniques such as endoscopic carpal tunnel release and wrist arthroscopy, as well as treating other common maladies such as hand and wrist arthritis, trigger fingers, Dupuytren’s contractures, tendon ruptures, and cysts.

Prior to attending medical school at the University of Florida, Dr. Chan practiced as a Senior Physical Therapist at the University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Medical Center for 5 years. It was there rehabilitating victims of head trauma and spinal cord injured quadriplegics that he learned the importance of hand function for independence and quality of life. He went on to complete a hand surgery fellowship at the prestigious Philadelphia Hand Center / Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Approach to Treating Patients

Get to know the person

“Being a physical therapist has impacted my approach as a surgeon to every person I meet in the office or the hospital. Therapists are blessed to be able to spend time getting to know their patients over days and weeks. This creates a special personal bond between the patient and the healthcare provider that makes accomplishing a goal so satisfying. It is this joy in being a teammate of the patient, to achieve that common goal together, that motivates me to do what I do.”

Do No Harm

“My rehabilitation background guides my philosophy of trying all conservative nonsurgical treatments first, whenever possible. It’s the safest course, allows both of us to get to know one another, and just plain good medicine. Sometimes, conservative treatments fail and surgery is the best available option. I always operate with the postoperative recovery in mind, and I use minimally invasive techniques to facilitate the rehabilitation afterwards.”

Medical Training

Medical School: University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL

Residency: Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Medical Center, Miami, FL

Fellowship: Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery The Philadelphia Hand Center / Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA