Dr. Vitale is the Herbert Irving Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University and Chief of the Pediatric Spine Service at Children's Hospital of New York.

Dr. Vitale completed his medical schooling in 1995 at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons where he also earned a Masters in Public Health. He then completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery, and a Subspecialty Fellowship in Pediatric Orthopedics at the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

A significant part of Dr. Vitale's practice involves the nonoperative and operative treatment of children with spinal problems such as scoliosis. As part of the National Chest Wall and Spinal Deformity Study Group, he has a special interest in the treatment of scoliosis in the young child including use of the Vertical Expandable Titanium Rib Device (VEPTR) and growing rods.

Dr. Vitale also performs complex limb reconstruction surgery of the lower extremity for problems such as Blount's disease, leg length differences, and malunions of bones. Though a variety of techniques are used to address these problems, many are handled using a computer controlled external fixator called the Taylor Spatial Frame.

As Chief of Clinical Research for the Division of Pediatric Orthopedics, Dr. Vitale directs a large research effort which focuses on the assessment of patient outcomes in children with various orthopedic problems, and ways to optimize the quality of life of these children.

Dr. Vitale travels abroad regularly as part of volunteer efforts to help children with orthopedic problems. He is available for consultation, with offices in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

In his spare time, Dr. Vitale runs marathons, skis, sails and Scuba Dives, and attempts to keep up with his partner, Dr Roye, in triathlons.

For more information visit the Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery website at
www.childrensorthopaedics.com