David Hootnick is an orthopedic surgeon who has maintained a private practice in Syracuse, New York since 1976. Originally from Boston, he earned an undergraduate B.S. degree from Tufts University, followed by an M.D. from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He completed advanced fellowship training in pediatric orthopaedics at the Hospital for Sick Children in London, England, and in total joint replacement at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Hootnick is a professor at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, where he holds appointments in the departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology. His academic and research interests focus on congenital limb deficiencies, and the processes of embryonic maldevelopment. His work has challenged the conventional CDC classifications of birth defects, demonstrating that the widely employed international classification of disease systems do not accurately reflect the underlying biology of limb maldevelopment. His research has contributed to a more nuanced understanding of how congenital limb developmental anomalies occur.

Dr. Hootnick divides his time between Syracuse, New York and Chautauqua, New York. His hobbies include hiking, skiing, reading and riding his bicycle. He has very much enjoyed traveling the world in furthering his research interests.