James R Satalich, MD

Advanced shoulder and elbow care, rooted in Richmond

Mechanical engineering is an unusual starting point for a career in medicine. However, it turned out to be a fitting one for James R. Satalich, M.D., who specializes in understanding the mechanics of the shoulder and elbow.

At VCU Health, Dr. Satalich sees arthritis and rotator cuff injuries most often, along with fractures, instability and injuries to the labrum and tendons. He performs the full range of shoulder and elbow procedures, including rotator cuff and labral repairs, fracture fixation, and joint replacement of both the shoulder and elbow. He specializes in complex shoulder and elbow reconstruction arthroplasty, surgery to replace all or part of the joint.

Whatever the diagnosis, Dr. Satalich's approach starts with the patient's own goals. Care may involve activity changes, therapy, injections or surgery, but the choice among them, he says, belongs to both parties. "Every patient is unique, and it's my job to collaborate with them to identify their needs and how best to treat them," he says. "Working with each patient, my goal is to come together to develop a treatment plan that we are both happy with."

He thinks just as carefully about what patients go through before they enter his care. "I remember how difficult it is to navigate the health system, so my goal is to streamline care and get patients into my office as quickly and easily as possible," Dr. Satalich says. He partners closely with family medicine physicians, physical therapists and others across the community to make that happen. "It's truly a multidisciplinary effort to make sure the patient is taken care of."

Several years after earning his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech, Dr. Satalich completed medical school and his orthopaedic surgery residency at VCU. He then completed two fellowships, in sports medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and in shoulder and elbow surgery at Rothman Orthopaedics in Philadelphia. “VCU is home, and I am excited to give back to the community that I spent so many years training in,” he says.

Dr. Satalich’s research record is substantial: more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, with current interests in periprosthetic joint infections and the integration of genomics into orthopaedic care. He’s authored multiple book chapters and presented his research at many conferences. Under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Kates, Dr. Satalich is building a basic science lab at VCU. As a dedicated researcher, he believes that basic science is the root of all pathology. One of his proudest accomplishments is that he founded the Vap Research and Mentorship Organization, which continues to help medical students throughout the country in 2019.

His #1 goal is to take care of patients: “That’s why I went into medicine and orthopaedic surgery.” His advice to patients comes down to candor. "It's all about honesty between the patient and physician," he says. "I want to know exactly what the patient expects and wants during their visit, and I will do everything in my power to align those goals.”