A tradition of care, a focus on the future

Dr. Thomas Novack, Dr. Merrick Wetzler, Dr. Jeffrey Daniels & Dr. Thomas O’Dowd

Advocare South Jersey Orthopedic Associates, a practice with more than 60 years of history, is renowned for its skilled, compassionate care and strong community roots.

Growing up, Thomas Novack, MD, loved taking things apart and putting them back together – wood, Legos or just about anything. His knack for hands-on problem-solving and a passion for playing and watching sports paved the way for a career dedicated to helping people move better and feel stronger.

Now, Dr. Novack brings his passion and expertise to South Jersey. Advocare South Jersey Orthopedic Associates, a practice with more than 60 years of history, is renowned for its skilled, compassionate care and strong community roots. In June, he joined Thomas O’Dowd, MD, ABOS, AAOS, Jeffrey Daniels, MD, ABOS, AAOS and Merrick Wetzler, MD, ABOS, AAOS – a respected team treating everything from sports injuries and fractures to arthritis and joint replacements.

While all the physicians share a broad orthopedic focus, Dr. Novack specializes in robotic-assisted hip and knee replacements and protocols for same-day and overnight-stay joint surgeries. He earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson. Dr. Novack was also part of the team that performed one of the first robotic-assisted knee replacements in the Garden State and has developed techniques to help patients return to activity as quickly and safely as possible.

“My focus is on preserving joints as long as possible and helping people return to their normal activities,” he says. “When surgery is necessary, I want it to be as minimally disruptive as possible so patients can recover quickly and safely.”

Dr. Novack is quick to emphasize, however, that surgery isn’t always the answer. “You have to understand the whole story – what they’ve been through, what’s worked and what hasn’t,” he explains. “Sometimes, just by listening, a patient will give you a little breadcrumb of information that will lead to a solution that avoids surgery altogether. Non-operative management is often effective. I never push people into surgery. Everyone is a little different. They’re ready for surgery when they’re ready, whether that’s now or 5 years from now. It’s their decision, and I’m here to help guide them.”

For Dr. Novack, joining the practice wasn’t just about the professional opportunity but about community. “The practice already has these great relationships – not just with patients, but with primary care physicians, specialists, physical therapists and hospital staff,” he says. “I love getting to know people. It makes for better, more personal connections with patients.”

Collaboration is another hallmark of the group. “If there’s a tough case, it’s as simple as saying, ‘Do you want to tackle this together?’” Dr. Novack explains. “It doesn’t matter who gets the credit. We just want to do a good job taking care of patients, and we’re happy to work together and communicate with each other to make sure that gets done.”

Advocare South Jersey Orthopedics Associate