Where Compassion Meets Cutting Edge
When you experience a severe injury or your body starts to break down over time it’s easy to wonder if your previous quality of life will ever return.
Thankfully for Lakelanders, the highly rated, experienced team of doctors at Florida Orthopaedic Institute are on the cutting edge of an exhaustive list of treatments including physical and occupational therapy, chiropractic services, sports medicine, podiatry, surgery and more.
Founded in 1989, Florida’s largest physician-led orthopedic group has a team of six doctors in Lakeland who have earned a 4.9-star rating on Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating on more than 1,600 reviews on a verified patient rating website.
“It is well known around the country that the group is dedicated to providing the best quality of orthopedic care,” says Joshua Linnell, MD, who specializes in hand and wrist surgery, plastic surgery and wound care. He joined the team several years ago for this very reason.
“Physicians throughout the country have received training through the residency and fellowships associated with our group. I truly believe that we provide the best in orthopedic surgical specialties and maintain our techniques at the forefront of modern advancements.”
Get to know the local orthopedic doctors dedicated to helping bring back functionality to bodies and smiles to people’s faces.
Joseph D’Alonzo, DO, Hip and thigh, joint replacement, knee and leg
With roots in engineering and a deep fascination for the human body, Dr. D’Alonzo approaches surgery with technical precision and a genuine passion for restoring function. His journey began after witnessing the life-changing impact of joint replacement surgery, an experience that continues to fuel his dedication to his patients today.
By leveraging advanced technologies like robotics and navigation, Dr. D’Alonzo optimizes outcomes, helping patients regain their independence and return to the activities they love. He describes his work with a touch of humor as “making people bionic,” reflecting his enthusiasm for his craft. Beyond the operating room, he is a firm believer in the power of movement to ensure joint longevity. Committed to compassionate care, Dr. D’Alonzo is dedicated to helping every patient reclaim their quality of life.
THE LAKELANDER
Why did you choose to work with Florida Orthopaedic Institute?
DR. D’ALONZO
I joined Florida Orthopaedic Institute because of their excellent reputation in providing orthopedic care. As a former fellow, I received a firsthand look into the quality of care provided to the patients.
“I love the satisfaction of being able to give patients their quality of life back.”
Joshua D. Linnell, MD, Hand and wrist, plastic surgery, wound care
Dr. Joshua Linnell is a specialist in hand and microsurgery whose practice is defined by a unique blend of technical mastery and compassionate care. A board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Linnell views hand surgery as a fascinating convergence of subspecialties—merging the mechanics of bone healing with the delicate art of microsurgery. His mission is to restore both form and function, helping patients regain their independence after injury or degenerative conditions.
Driven by a lifelong fascination with science and problem-solving, Dr. Linnell is deeply committed to advancing his field through research and teaching. He believes that the most successful outcomes stem from personalized recovery plans, emphasizing the vital role of rehabilitation and patient support. Whether treating complex arthritis or performing urgent repairs, Dr. Linnell combines his extensive fellowship training with a genuine dedication to the art and science of healing, ensuring his patients receive the highest standard of care at the Florida Orthopaedic Institute.
THE LAKELANDER
Has there ever been a moment where you were off the clock where you heard, “We need a doctor!” and jumped into an emergency situation? If so, please share.
DR. LINNELL
The one moment that stands out in my mind is when a young man playing basketball on a team with my son took a hard fall. He had an obvious deformity of the wrist, and before the adrenaline had settled, we had him reduced and in a wrist brace. He was seen the next day in my clinic and placed in a cast. He returned six weeks later to playing.
Alex Mierke, MD, Spine
Dr. Alex Mierke is driven by a deep-seated commitment to transforming his patients’ lives. Motivated by his uncle’s journey with a traumatic spinal cord injury, Dr. Mierke chose his path to provide relief to those suffering from debilitating pain and complex spinal conditions.
With years of specialized experience, Dr. Mierke blends technical precision with compassionate care. Whether he is navigating clinic days to understand a patient’s unique challenges or performing advanced surgeries using cutting-edge robotics and 3D-printed implants, his primary goal is clear: decompressing nerves, stabilizing spines and restoring quality of life. An active researcher in postoperative pain management, he continuously seeks ways to improve surgical outcomes. For Dr. Mierke, being a physician is about more than just medicine—it is about connecting with people, helping them navigate their recovery, and empowering them to lead pain-free lives.
THE LAKELANDER
What is something you would suggest more people do to take better care of themselves?
DR. MIERKE
There are numerous things that I talk to every patient about who walks through my door. One is daily “physical therapy” type exercises. Patients would have significantly less back pain if they had a regimen that worked on core and low back stretching and strengthening exercises.
Cassandra Ricketts, MD, Hip and thigh, knee and leg, orthopedic trauma
Dr. Cassandra Ricketts blends elite medical expertise with a deeply personal commitment to patient care. A former Division I volleyball captain, Dr. Ricketts’ journey into medicine began after her own sports injury at age 16, an experience that revealed the profound impact orthopedic care has on restoring quality of life.
Today, she serves the Lakeland community by treating complex fractures, traumatic injuries and chronic hip and knee conditions. Whether through advanced surgical intervention or nonoperative care, Dr. Ricketts is dedicated to helping patients regain their independence and return to the activities they love.
She appreciates being able to offer patients specialized care that they have often had to drive outside of Polk County for in the past. For Dr. Ricketts, the most rewarding aspect of her profession is guiding patients back to their families, hobbies and work.
THE LAKELANDER
What is the biggest challenge you face in modern medicine?
DR. RICKETTS
A patient’s overall health remains one of the strongest predictors of recovery. Conditions such as heart disease, vascular disease, lung disease, kidney disease, obesity and diabetes often have a greater impact on healing than any technology we can offer. Prevention, healthy lifestyle choices and managing chronic medical conditions remain the foundation for achieving the best outcomes.
Devin Collins, DO, wrist, elbow and shoulder
With a decade of specialized experience, Dr. Devin Collins combines technical innovation with a deeply personal commitment to healing. His journey began as an infant overcoming complex post-surgical infections—an experience that fueled his lifelong passion for restoring his patients’ quality of life.
Dr. Collins is a pioneer in his field, notably serving as the first surgeon in Florida to implant the TOUCH CMC prosthesis for thumb osteoarthritis. Beyond his clinical practice, he is a dedicated researcher and educator, training the next generation of surgeons while actively advancing orthopedic product design. He finds true purpose in the complexity of hand and upper extremity surgery, helping patients regain the function they need to fully enjoy their lives. When he isn’t operating or teaching, Dr. Collins champions the importance of mindfulness and rest, embodying the compassionate, holistic care he brings to every patient interaction.
THE LAKELANDER
Why did you choose to work with Florida Orthopaedic Institute?
DR. COLLINS
We are all subspecialized in various areas of orthopedic surgery. Our group is a robust academic center and we get to train the next generation of orthopedic surgeons and hand/upper extremity surgeons through our residency and fellowship programs. I am also heavily involved in research and innovation with product design and studies to advance the medical field.
George Haidamous, MD, Elbow, shoulder, sports medicine
Dr. George Haidamous is driven by a simple but powerful goal: helping patients regain the life they love. Whether he’s repairing a rotator cuff for a weekend athlete or performing a shoulder replacement for a retiree, Dr. Haidamous combines rigorous scientific precision with a deeply personal commitment to patient care.
A Clinical Assistant Professor and fellowship-trained surgeon at the Florida Orthopaedic Institute, he isn’t just focused on surgery; he’s committed to innovation. His research—including pioneering studies on using hypnosis to reduce post-surgical opioid use—demonstrates his dedication to safer, more effective outcomes. For Dr. Haidamous, the most rewarding part of his profession isn’t the operation itself, but the moment a patient returns to the golf course, their job or playing with their grandchildren. He is truly a physician who believes that the responsibility to care extends well beyond clinic walls.
THE LAKELANDER
What is something you would suggest more people do to take better care of themselves?
DR. HAIDAMOUS
Stay active. You don’t need to become a marathon runner—walking regularly, maintaining your strength, keeping a healthy weight and addressing injuries early can make a tremendous difference in your long-term joint health. Consistency is far more important than intensity.
Florida Orthopaedic Institute
floridaortho.com
863.274.9700