About: Our Board

OUR BOARD

W. ANDREW HODGE, MD, FACS

Founder and Chairman of the Institute for Mobility and Longevity, W. Andrew Hodge, MD, MBA, FACS, is a world renowned orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee joint replacement and the management of arthritis. Dr. Hodge is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, and a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons as well as the American College of Surgeons. His expertise includes specialized, regenerative arthritis treatments as well as minimally invasive hip and knee joint replacement surgery. He also excels in complex repairs of painful, failed hip and knee implants. As both a surgeon and a bioengineer, he believes that life with mobility can be further enhanced by combining advanced medical and surgical technologies, cutting-edge orthopedic research, and truly personalized patient care.

“Bringing You Tomorrow’s Technology Today! Move Better…Live Longer!”

Dr. Hodge’s research interest pertains to the restoration of human motion and active lifestyles, especially as people age and recover from disease and/or injury. As a bioengineer and a surgeon, he continues to grow and expand technology in the US –– particularly in Southwest Florida. Hodge is actively engaged with multiple research programs and continues to advance rapid healing and improved mobility with presentations, publications, and early implementation of these technologies. Dr. Hodge currently holds several US Patents on orthopedic devices and technology.

RONALD D. GARDNER, MD, FAAOS

CEO of Gardner Orthopedics, Sports Medicine Fellowship Trained, and Orthopedic Surgeon.

Dr. Gardner, a 1984 graduate of The University of Alabama School of Medicine, completed his Orthopedic Residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital System prior to his Sports Medicine and Reconstruction Fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute with Drs. James Andrews, William Clancy, and Lawrence Lemak. He entered private practice in Fort Myers, FL, in 1990 and has been continually engaged in the advancement of his surgical and nonsurgical skills with algorithmic osteoarthritis and acute injury care. His methodologies emphasize precise diagnostics coupled with lowest-risk, highest-efficacy modalities.

Dr. Gardner welcomes the opportunity to participate in the data collection and analysis of various treatment options and their impact on patient care through his involvement with The Institute.

MELISSA ADDINGTON

As Executive Director of IML, Melissa Addington is a dedicated and creative executive engaged in numerous medical marketing and management programs for the Institute. Ms. Addington’s expertise encompasses extensive non-profit programs including local fundraisers, the National USMCR Toys for Tots, and international management with The Institute for Mobility and Longevity.

In addition to her non-profit work, she owns I-Zone Marketing, a boutique marketing and advertising agency. She also serves as the Marketing Director for American Wealth Advisers. As both an analytical and strategic thinker, she excels at providing long-term vision while addressing existing problems and driving continuous improvement; implementing effective processes, policies, and procedures; and ensuring the Institute meets/exceeds deliverables, corporate goals, and customer expectations.

Ms. Addington has lived and experienced cultures from coast to coast. She now resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Her love for the outdoors will find her vacationing in cool mountains, fly-fishing a freshwater river and sitting fireside. While in town, she can be found playing golf throughout the Phoenix West Valley.

WILLIAM D. MURRELL, JR., M.D., M.S., FAAOS

International Recognized Orthopedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine Fellowship Trained, and expert in Regenerative Orthopedics

William D. Murrell is currently the Director Center of Excellence of Abu Dhabi Knee and Sports Medicine at Healthpoint Hospital. He formerly served as Chief Science Officer Emirates Healthcare, and CEO and Consultant Orthopaedic Sports and Regenerative Medicine of the Emirates Integra Medical & Surgery Centre.

Murrell is an internationally recognized clinician, educator, and researcher who performs investigations and lectures on a frequent basis on topics related to MSK (musculoskeletal) regenerative medicine.

Murrell is additionally the co-founding editor of the Biologic Orthopedic Journal, the Editorial Boards Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma, and the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery Research.

GIUSEPPE MARCHESANI, PH.D

Director of Stem Cells Factory Bioscience Clinic Middle East

Dr. Marchesani studied Clinical Biology Science at University of L’Aquila in Italy, focusing his research activity in the fields of Cell Biology and Immunology. After receiving his Master’s Degree, Dr. Marchesani won a grant to conduct an international PhD program in Cardiovascular Science, wherein he focused his activity on a research project at Cardiocentro Ticino – Switzerland. His research explored the mechanisms of clinical grade production of cardiomyocyte – the cell responsible for the contraction of the heart – as they proliferate following initial utilization of adipose-derived stem cells.

In 2011, Dr. Marchesani joined Bioscience Institute in Italy and, since 2014, Dr. Marchesani has served as the Director of Bioscience Clinic Middle East. In 2015, Bioscience Clinic Middle East, under the Direction of Dr. Marchesani, obtained a Good Manufacturing Production Certification. In 2018, Dr. Marchesani, as Director of Bioscience Clinic, won the Dubai Healthcare City Innovation Award for the use of Autologous Stem Cells in scar revision treatment.

MARC CRAIG JACOFSKY, PH.D.

Biomedical Engineer, Director of the M.O.R.E. in Phoenix, AZ, and Chief Scientific Officer of The CORE Institute

Marc Jacofsky, PhD serves as the Chief Scientific Officer of HOPCo. He is an expert in the field of musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanics. Dr. Marc Jacofsky joined HOPCo in 2006, serving as Director of Intellectual Property Development and Vice President of Research and Development prior to becoming Chief Scientific Officer. His PhD work focused on comparative anatomy of the hand and the application of bioengineering techniques to the study of mammalian functional morphology, which he has continued to build on throughout his career.

Dr. Marc Jacofsky has more than a decade of experience in orthopedic research and research operations, where he has developed innovative research platforms for the robotic testing of joint replacements and fractures. In 2009, he was a founding board member of the MORE Foundation, the preferred research partner of The CORE Institute, and currently serves as the MORE Foundation’s Executive Director of Research and Education.

In addition to his research, Dr. Jacofsky is also a prolific inventor. He currently has over 20 peer-reviewed publications and has presented his teams’ research at more than 50 national and international medical conferences. He holds over 25 issued United States patents, dozens of international patents, and has more than 20 patent applications pending. His creative prosthetics for humans and other animal recipients have been featured in numerous television appearances including PBS Nature, Discovery Channel and Inside Edition.