Very attentive and listens to your issues and concerns. He will carefully explain the procedure options available to you including the pros and cons, leaving the decision up to you on how to proceed. Dr. Baltera is definitely the doctor to go to with issues related to Hand to Shoulder!!
Robert M. Baltera, M.D.
Specialist in treating shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries and conditions
Support Team
Medical Assistant: Lauren S.
Executive Assistant: Amanda K.
Locations
Hours
Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm
Biography
Dr. Baltera earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University. He was valedictorian of his medical school class at the State University of New York Health Science Center, where he completed an internship in general surgery and his residency in orthopedic surgery. In 1991, Dr. Baltera completed his fellowship training in hand and microvascular surgery at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. He is board certified by The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and holds a Certification of Added Qualification in hand and microvascular surgery.
Dr. Baltera maintains a faculty appointment as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at The Indiana University School of Medicine. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. He has received numerous honors for his academic and research accomplishments and continues to serve as an educator in his field.
Dr. Baltera has special interests in the treatment of arthritis, fractures, post-traumatic reconstruction, nerve compression syndromes, and sports-related injuries of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder.
More About Dr. Baltera
When did you know you were going to be a healthcare provider? (or why did you select a career in healthcare?)
As cliché as it sounds, I wanted to help people. I am a problem solver and I like to fix things. The hand is a very delicate and complex structure. In fact, more than half of the bones in your body are found in your hands and feet. There was an appeal for me to be able to fix patients’ problems but with a finesse to it. Most people underestimate the truly intricate nature of a hand.
How would you describe your approach to patient care?
I am down-to-earth and direct. I talk to people in a way they can understand and present all their options. Everyone assumes a surgeon “just wants to cut” but a good surgeon knows that’s not always the right answer for every patient. My patient-physician relationship is a collaboration of care and decision-making from start to finish.
What do you want patients to know about you, your medical career, or your specialty?
IHTSC is unlike any other practice – a global presence and worldly reputation in your backyard. The level of expertise of our physicians far surpasses any other group practice and continuing education is ingrained in our culture. To us, we will all be lifelong learners whether that is through research, hands-on labs, lectures, or teaching fellows. We live our motto every day to embrace excellence.
For Fun
Hometown
Bethpage, NY
3 words to describe yourself
Focused, fair, competitive
Favorite place in the world
Italy
Something interesting/unique about you
I was once an acrobat in the Barnum & Bailey Circus
What are your hobbies?
Exercise, fishing, scuba diving, and gardening
If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My Mom’s spaghetti and meatballs
Education
Undergrad
Villanova University
Medical School
SUNY Upstate Medical Center
Ortho Residency
SUNY Upstate Medical Center
Hand Fellowship
Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center
Certifications
- Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery -Board Certified
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Fellow
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons Certificate of Added Qualifications In Hand Surgery
Publications
- Cao J, Baltera RM. Repair and Reconstruction of the Ruptured Triceps. In: Lee D, Neviaser RJ, eds. Operative Techniques: Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2019:571-585.
- Baltera RM, Knox KR. Repair and reconstruction of the ruptured triceps. In: Weiss A-PC, Goldfarb CA, Hentz VR, Raven RB, Slutsky DJ, Steinmann SP, eds. Textbook of Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery. Chicago, IL: American Society for Surgery of the Hand; 2013:691-698.
- Baltera RM, Hastings H, Sachar K, Jitprapaikulsarn S. Fractures and dislocations: Hand. In: Hammert WC, Calfee RP, Bozentka DJ, Boyer MI, eds. ASSH Manual of Hand Surgery. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2010:186-215.
- Kokmeyer D, Merrell GA, Kleinman W, Baltera RM. The Use of a Vascularized Distal Ulna Autograft for Complex Distal Radius
Or, call us directly at (317) 875-9105 or (800) 888-HAND.