Colonel James Ficke, M.D., is the Robert A. Robinson Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He is also orthopedist-in-chief of The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is a nationally renowned expert on treating complex foot and ankle patients, lower-extremity trauma patients and amputees.

Dr. Ficke received his M.D. from Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in 1987. He completed a transitional internship at Madigan Army Medical Center in Washington State and finished his residency in orthopedic surgery at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. He also completed an AO Foundation fellowship in trauma in Munich, Germany, and a foot and ankle fellowship in Texas. 

Prior to his current position, Dr. Ficke was chair of the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas. He also served the U.S. Army surgeon general as the senior adviser on policy and personnel for orthopedics and extremity injuries for seven years. 

Dr. Ficke has received numerous awards for his skills as a surgeon and educator, as well as two dozen military decorations and awards, including the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medals. His service earned him the Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons’ prestigious 2010 Colonel Brian Allgood Memorial Leadership Award and the Surgeon General’s 2010 Major General Lewis Aspey Mologne Award.