“Children are not little adults,” said Dr. Anne Marie Chicorelli, Wooster’s newest orthopaedic and sports medicine specialist. “They need specialized care and treatment by someone trained in pediatrics.”

Thanks to Chicorelli’s background in pediatric sports medicine, young patients no longer need to travel out of the area to find this type of specialized care. Adult patients will be well served by her expertise and wide variety of surgical skills as well.

One key difference between children and adults, Chicorelli said, is that children still have open growth plates and as a result suffer different injuries than adults commonly do. For example, young athletes suffer more fractures than sprains, and their knee injuries are commonly misdiagnosed as growing pains.

Chicorelli’s passion for sports medicine and orthopaedics is due in part to her own athletic experience. A standout athlete in high school, Chicorelli led the Kent State University basketball team to a Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship and undefeated season as team captain. She continued her athletic involvement as team physician for the Norwayne Bobcats football team this year, accompanying them all the way to their state championship last month.

“As a former athlete, I like having the ability to get people back to their pre-injury status,” Chicorelli said. “It’s very rewarding. I’m a hands-on person and I love doing surgery when needed.” She noted that having undergone several surgeries herself has influenced her bedside manner. “I’m much more empathetic because I have been a patient and know how invaluable it is to have an ear to listen. I spend more time with my patients as a result.”

Chicorelli performs a wide variety of orthopaedic procedures, including shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle arthroscopy; ACL reconstruction on children, adolescents and adults; and shoulder repairs for instability, labral tears, and rotator cuff tears. While she has hospital privileges at OSU, she will primarily operate at Wooster Community Hospital (WCH), said office coordinator Jody Radcliffe.

One interesting feature of Chicorelli’s practice is the use of certified athletic trainers in the exam room rather than registered nurses. “Our educated and specialized staff is trained in musculoskeletal therapy, and that saves patients an extra trip to see a therapist,” Radcliffe said.

Chicorelli’s practice, which is located inside Wooster Community Hospital’s HealthPoint, opened this fall as the result of a collaboration between the Ohio State University Medical Center and Wooster Community Hospital. “OSU was interested in having a physician in a community hospital setting and there was a need in Wooster, so we agreed to host this practice,” said Wooster Community Hospital CEO Bill Sheron.

“OSU Medical Center is a world-renowned organization with experts in so many areas of care, and we’re so pleased to work with them whenever we can,” said Dave Rhoad, WCH marketing and public relations manager.

Sheron noted that while in the recent past, Wooster had seven practicing general orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Kase’s recent departure brought the number down to three plus a spine surgeon. Together, they cover three hospitals, so there was a need for additional staff.

Chicorelli’s training in pediatric orthopaedics is unique in the Wooster area, Sheron said. She also performs several surgical procedures that are unique to the area, broadening the options for local patients.

In addition, “the fact that Chicorelli is also a faculty member at OSU means she will be involved in teaching and in research in sports medicine,” Sheron said. “We feel this is a plus for our community. In fact, she is a featured speaker at a national orthopaedic conference in Florida later this week.”

Chicorelli serves as assistant clinical professor at the OSU Medical Center, teaching one day every couple of weeks. She said this academic component of the job appealed to her. “I appreciate the opportunity to operate in a small community hospital and still teach at the university level.”

Chicorelli comes with an impressive resume. She earned a B.A. from Kent State, a Master of Public Health from the University of Maryland, and a D.O. from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her postgraduate training included an internship, a residency in orthopaedic surgery, and a fellowship in sports medicine. She also did orthopaedic specialty rotations at five hospitals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and has significant research and teaching experience.

Dr. Chicorelli’s office is located at 3727 Friendsville Road, Suite 5, inside HealthPoint. Her office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 330-202-3420.