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Zachary R. Zimmer, MD, Specializing in Shoulder & Elbow Surgery, Washington, DC / Zachary R. Zimmer, MD
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Zachary R. Zimmer, MD Board Certified, Fellowship Trained Orthopaedic Surgeon Specializing in Shoulder & Elbow Surgery

Dr. Zachary Zimmer is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. His surgical specialty focuses on conditions affecting the shoulder and elbow.

After graduating with a degree in molecular biology from Colgate University, Dr. Zimmer earned his medical degree at Stony Brook University School of Medicine where he was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was chosen to be an academic chief resident. He was also awarded the DeForest P. Willard Award for outstanding performance by a senior resident and the Joseph P. Iannotti Award for excellent performance by a senior resident in shoulder surgery.

To further his training, Dr. Zimmer completed a shoulder and elbow surgery fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School under the mentorship of Dr. Jon JP Warner and Dr. Andrew Jawa, where he learned to treat complex conditions of the shoulder and elbow. During his fellowship year, Dr. Zimmer had the opportunity to travel to Europe and learn from world-renowned surgeons Dr. Pascal Boileau and Dr. Laurant Lafosse.

Dr. Zimmer treats a multitude of shoulder conditions, including rotator cuff injuries, osteoarthritis, shoulder instability, and biceps tendon conditions and performs procedures ranging from arthroscopic procedures to shoulder replacements to complex tendon transfers.

Throughout his career, Dr. Zimmer has also been involved in multiple research projects and has had his research presented at national meetings, including those of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. Dr. Zimmer is a Candidate Member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a Candidate Member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and an Active Member of the Mid-Atlantic Shoulder and Elbow Society.

Medical Biography

Medical School

  • Stony Brook University School of Medicine (Stony Brook, NY)

Internship

  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) - General and Orthopaedic Surgery

Fellowship

  • Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA) - Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Residency

  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania - Orthopaedic Surgery

Education

  • 8/2009 – 5/2013
    MD
    Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
  • 8/2003 – 5/2007
    BA
    Colgate University, Hamilton, NY
    Major: Molecular Biology

Academic Appointment

  • 8/2019 – present
    Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
    George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
  • 8/2018 – 7/2019
    Assistant in Orthopaedic Surgery
    Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Postgraduate Training

  • 8/2018 – 7/2019
    Fellow, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
  • 7/2014 – 6/2018
    Resident, Orthopaedic Surgery Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
  • 6/2013 – 6/2014
    Intern, General and Orthopaedic Surgery Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Medical Licensure

  • 2019
    DC Medical License

Board Certification

  • 2018
    Part 1 Examination of American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery - Passed

Society Memberships

  • 2019-present
    Candidate Member, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons
  • 2019-present
    Active Member, Mid-Atlantic Shoulder and Elbow Society
  • 2019-present
    Active Candidate Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • 2013-2019
    Resident Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Awards, Honors and Membership in Honorary Societies

  • 2018
    DeForest P. Williard Award, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania – For excellent performance by a senior resident
  • 2018
    Joseph P. Iannotti Award, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania – For excellent performance by a senior resident in shoulder surgery
  • 2012
    Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
  • 2007
    Graduated Cum Laude, Colgate University
  • 2007
    Graduated with Honors in Molecular Biology, Colgate University

Leadership Experience

  • 6/2018
    Leadership Program, Wharton School of the Univeristy of Pennsylvania
  • 2017-2018
    Administrative Chief Resident, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania
  • 2017
    American Orthopaedic Association Emerging Leader
  • 2016-2017
    Graduate Medical Education Committee PGY-4 Representative

Editorial Experience

  • 2019-present
    Reviewer, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
  • 2019-present
    Reviewer, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Arthroplasty
  • 2015-2017
    Editor, Shoulder and Elbow Section, University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Journal

Bibliography

Original papers

  • Zimmer, Z.R., Carducci, M.P., Mahendraraj, K., Jawa, A. “The Evolution of the Walch Classification and Its Importance on the B2 Glenoid.” Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Arthroplasty. Jan 2020, 4: 1-7.
  • Carducci, M.P., Zimmer, Z.R., Jawa, A. “Predictors of Unsatisfactory Patient Outcomes in Primary Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.” Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Nov 2019, 28(11):2113-2020.
  • Galvin, J.W., Zimmer, Z.R., Prete, A.M., Warner, J.J. “The Open Eden-Hybinette Procedure for Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability with Glenoid Bone Loss.” Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine. Jun 2019, 27(2): 95-101.
  • Zimmer, Z.R., Horneff, J.G., Taylor, R.M, Levin, L.S., Kovach, S., Mehta, S. “Evaluation and Treatment of Open Distal Humerus Fractures.” JBJS Rev. Jan 2017, 5(1).
  • Courtney, P.M., Melnic, C.M., Zimmer, Z., Anari, J., Lee, G.C.  “Addition of Vancomycin to Cefazolin Prophylaxis is Associated with Acute Kidney Injury After Primary Joint Arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Jul 2015, 473(7): 2197-203.
  • Boykin, R.E., Friedman, D.J., Zimmer, Z.R., Oaklander, A.L., Higgins, L.D., Warner, J.J.P.  “Suprascapular neuropathy in a shoulder referral practice.”  J Shoulder Elbow Surg. Sept 2011, 20(6): 983-8. Epub 2011 Feb 1.
  • Friedman, D.J., Parnes, N., Zimmer, Z.R., Higgins, L.D., Warner, J.J.P.  “Prevalence of cerebrovascular events during shoulder surgery and association with patient position.”  Orthopedics. Apr 2009, 32(4): 1-5.
  • Radecki, J., Feinberg, J.H., Zimmer, Z.R.  “T1 Radiculopathy: Electrodiagnostic Evaluation.”  HSS Journal.  Feb 2009, 5(1): 73-77.
  • Friedman, D.J., Parnes, N., Zimmer, Z.R., Higgins, L.D., Warner, J.J.P.  “Arthroscopic Fixation of Posterior Bankart Lesion in the Beach Chair Position.”  Tech Shoulder Elbow Surg.  Sept 2008, 9(3):132-140.
  • Parnes, N., Rolf, R.H., Zimmer, Z.R., Higgins, L.D., Warner, J.J.P.  “Management of Failed Hemiarthroplasty with Reverse Prosthesis.”  Tech Shoulder Elbow Surg.  Dec 2008, 9(4): 216-225.

Book Chapter

  • Griffith, M.H., Rolf, R.H, Parnes, N., Zimmer, Z.R., Higgins, L.D., Warner, J.J.P..  “Arthroplasty for Arthritis after Instability Including Post-Capsulorrhaphy and Chronic Dislocations.”  Arthritis and Arthroplasty: The Shoulder.  Eds. D. Dines, G. Williams, C. Laurencin.  Saunders Elsevier.
    Philadelphia, PA. 2009.

Podium Presentations

  • Zimmer, Z.R. “Primary and Revision Bone Block Procedures for Anterior Instability.”  Presented at the Maryland Orthopaedic Association 2020 Annual Meeting, February 8, 2020.
  • Zimmer, Z.R. “Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty – From Past to Present.” Presented at The George Washington University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Grand Rounds, September 19. 2019.
  • Zimmer, Z.R.  “Disorders of the Elbow.” Presented at The George Washington University Department of Rheumatology Grand Rounds, September 12, 2019.

  • Warner, J.J.P., Zimmer, ZR. “Ideal Baseplate Positioning in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty.”  Presented at the 2019 American Shoulder Arthroplasty Meeting; Park City, Utah; January 11, 2019

  • Courtney, P.M., Melnic, C.M., Zimmer, Z., Anari, J., Lee, G.C.  “Dual Antibiotic Prophylaxis is Associated with Acute Kidney Injury After Primary Joint Arthroplasty.”  Presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2015 Annual Meeting, March 26, 2015 and the Musculoskeletal Infection Society 24th Annual Open Scientific Meeting, August 8, 2014.
  • Friedman, D., Zimmer, Z.R., Keskinyan, S.  “90-90 Dual Plate Fixation for Midshaft Clavicle Fractures.”  Presented at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, May 13, 2011.
  • Boykin R.E., Friedman D.J., Zimmer Z.R., Oaklander A.L., Warner J.P.” Suprascapular Neuropathy: Incidence and Significance.” Presented at the International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 2010 Annual Meeting, September 2010.

Poster Presentations

  • Zimmer, Z., Chona, D., Kuntz, A., Huffman, R., Glaser, D. “Rotator Cuff Repair: An Opportunity for Improved Efficiency, Cost-Effectiveness, and Ultimately, Cost Savings.” E-Poster presentation at the American Shoulder and Elbow Society 2016 Annual Meeting, October 6-9, 2016 and a poster presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2017 Annual Meeting, March 14-18, 2017.
  • Boykin, R., Friedman, D., Zimmer, Z.R., Warner, J.J.P., Higgins, L.D.  “Suprascapular Neuropathy: Incidence and Significance.”  Poster presentation at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons 2009 Annual Meeting, February 25-28, 2009.

Other

  • Zimmer, Z.R., Carducci, M., Jawa, A: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty in the Setting of Proximal Humeral Bone Loss, in Parsons, BO, Hasan SS, eds: Surgical Insights: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty [online course]. Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2019.
  • Warner, J.J.P., Friedman, D.J., Zimmer, Z.R., Higgins, L.D.  “Hemiarthroplasty for a Comminuted Fracture of the Proximal Humerus.”  Presented at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons 2009 Annual Meeting Electronic Education Program.

Submitted for Publication

  • Gasbarro, G., Zimmer, Z.R., Prete, A.M., Warner, J.J.P. “Snapping Scapula Syndrome.” Accepted for publication in Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery, 3rd Edition.
  • Wagner, E.R., Woodmass, J.M., Zimmer, Z.R., Obeidallah, A.S., Prete, A.M., Welp, K.M., Chang, M.J., Warner, J.J.P. “A Prospective, Blinded, Clinical Trial Comparing the Efficacy and Accuracy of Needle Diagnostic Arthroscopy of the Shoulder with Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” Submitted to Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery.
  • Jawa, A., Carducci, M.P., DeVito, P., Gasbarro, G., Menendez, M.E., Zimmer, Z.R., Levy, J.C. “Identifying Preoperative Risk Factors for Acromial Stress Fracture after Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty.”  Abstract submitted to American Shoulder and Elbow Society Open and Closed 2019 Meeting.

  • Zachary R. Zimmer, MD

    2300 M Street,
    NW 5th Floor
    Washington, DC 20037

    [javascript protected email address]

  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons
  • Mid-Atlantic Shoulder & Elbow Society