Julie Samora, MD, PhD, chair of Orthopedics
Pediatric orthopedic surgeon Julie Samora, MD, PhD, is the new department chair of Orthopedics at Akron Children’s.
Dr. Samora comes to Akron Children’s from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she served as associate chief quality officer; surgical services director for diversity, equity, and inclusion; and director of clinical fellowship in quality and safety leadership at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
“Dr. Samora is an experienced physician leader and a skilled surgeon, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have her head up Akron Children‘s renowned orthopedic department,” said Todd Ritzman, MD, FAAOS, FAOA, surgeon in chief. “Julie’s academic record and national reputation is evidenced by more than 160 publications, service on the board of directors of multiple national organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), Pride Ortho, and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society. She will also serve as the program chair of the POSNA 2025 Annual Meeting.”
Akron Children’s pediatric orthopedics department was recently nationally ranked 20th by US News & World Report and 23rd by Newsweek.
Dr. Samora received her bachelor’s of fine arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University in biology as well as music performance. She received a master’s degree in bassoon performance from Yale University, as well as public health and public administration degrees from West Virginia University. Dr. Samora received a doctorate degree in cellular and integrative physiology and her medical degree from West Virginia University School of Medicine in a combined MD/PhD program. Her postgraduate training includes an internship and residency at the Ohio State University and a fellowship at Harvard University in hand and upper extremity surgery.
