Thomas J. Fischer, M.D.

Specialist in treating elbow, wrist, and hand injuries and conditions

Thomas Fischer

Support Team

Nurse: Cheryl A., RN

Medical Assistant: Michelle H.

Executive Assistant: Shari C.

Hours

Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm

Biography

Thomas J. Fischer, M.D., is a native Hoosier (graduated from Butler University), earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his Orthopaedic training at the University of Washington in Seattle. After his hand fellowship at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, he did an additional six months of microvascular surgery training at Duke University, and six months of hand education at multiple centers in Switzerland and Germany before joining us in practice.

Dr. Fischer is an avid educator, with a primary focus on skeletal fixation. Residents from the Indiana University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery rotated with Dr. Fischer for their hand surgery exposure for 25 years. Now he has a full time fellow and Drs. Crosby, Smetana and Hoyer share the resident teaching experience.  In addition, he is an active and highly visible part of our fellowship training program.  He has been Chairman of various hand and wrist AO advanced courses both in North American and Europe.

In addition to publications in scientific journals and presentations before physicians, Dr. Fischer has been recognized for his written and spoken contributions to industry, insurance companies, and community and safety organizations alike.

Currently, Dr. Fischer is the Department Chairman of Hand Surgery at St. Vincent Hospital and Health Services.  He is also a member of the Board of Trustees since 2004 at Butler University.  He has chaired the Academic Standard Committee for the University.  Dr. Fischer serves on numerous committees such as:  North American Hand Education Committee starting in February of 2008; American Orthopaedic faculty member starting in April of 1990; and Hand Expert Group starting in January of 2005.  He is a member of AOA, TCOA and The Hand Forum.  He has served as the Butler Team Physician for upper extremity conditions since 1987.

Dr. Fischer and his wife Maribeth have four children who are their pride and joy.  He loves spending time with them watching Butler sports, camping, hiking, fishing, and his most favorite, bike riding.  Along with those activities, Dr. Fischer is an avid photographer and part-time astronomer.

Retirement letter to my patients 

More About Dr. Fischer

When did you know you were going to be a healthcare provider? (or why did you select a career in healthcare?)
When I was young, healthcare chose me. My pediatrician, Dr Gordon C Mclaughlin took care of me as I was a childhood asthmatic. He wanted me to be a pediatrician. I worked for my dad in his automotive garage and loved to fix things. I became an Orthopaedic surgeon as a pediatrician I could not do surgery.
What inspires you about your work?
The Doctor-Patient relationship has survived since the time of Hamurabi. For 3500 years doctors have treated patients. It has survived the Black Death, the Dark Ages, the Crusades, World Wars, Mini Ice Age, and through it all Doctors and Patients have a unique symbiotic experience. This relationship will survive just as it has for the millennia.
How would you describe your approach to patient care?
Patient focused, “primum non nocere”, first do not harm. Finding the solution that fits the problem and fits the patient

For Fun

Hometown
Terre Haute, IN

3 words to describe yourself
Able, affable, available

Favorite place in the world
My fishing camp up north

Favorite vacation
It would involve fishing, the great outdoors, and astronomy

Something interesting/unique about you
I was Dr Kleinman’s first medical student in the Fall of 1978. My youngest son was the last medical student on his rotation 40 years later. Those two generations demonstrate the scope of commitment my partner has to teaching

What are your hobbies?
Fishing, photography, astronomy and bike riding. Getting outside, enjoying nature.

If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich

Dr. Fischer is an elite doctor. I feel privileged to have him operate on my wrist and bring me back to a 100% recovery. Although my injury required a long recovery, it was very gratifying to do everything I had once done again which includes holding my newborn daughter. I would recommend Dr. Fischer time after time.

Thomas Fischer

Education

Hand Fellowship
Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center

Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship
Duke University Medical Center

Ortho Residency
University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals

Medical School
Indiana University School of Medicine

Undergrad
Butler University

Certifications

  • Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. July 21, 1989. Certification expires 12/31/19.
  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery. 9/10/90-12/31/19.

Awards

  • Most Outstanding Male Student Award
  • Blue Key Men’s Honorary

Publications

  • Fischer TJ. "Moneyball" Comes to Replantation: How We Assess Our Work: Commentary on an article by Hongyi Zhu, MD, et al.: "Patency Test of Vascular Anastomosis with Assistance of High-Speed Video Recording in Digit Replantation". Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery - American Volume
  • Mclaughlin JS, Fischer TJ, Merrell GA. Treatment of Cutaneous Warts with Multiple Puncture Technique. Hand. 2018;0(0):1-2. DOI: 10.1177/1558944718771389
  • Quinn DP, Gu A, Greenberg JA, Fischer TJ, Merrell GA. Surgical Treatment of Cubital Tunnel in Pediatric Athletes. J Hand Microsurg.

Community Involvement

  • St. Vincent Hospital Hand Surgery Department Chairman
  • Medical Executive Committee, St. Vincent’s Hospital
  • Butler Alumni Association Board of Directors/Trustees
  • Selection Committee for Dean of College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Butler University.
  • College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Board of Visitors, Butler University
  • CMO Operating Council, St. Vincent’s Hospital
  • Examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery’s Oral Examinations
Or, call us directly at (317) 875-9105 or (800) 888-HAND.