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Renowned Sarcoma Specialist H. Thomas Temple’s Return Elevates Sylvester Orthopaedic Oncology

H. Thomas Temple, M.D., a sarcoma surgeon who treats cancers of the bone and soft tissue, has returned to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is the co-leader of the Sarcoma Site Disease Group at Sylvester and a mentor and educator who leads by example within the Department of Orthopaedics. He previously spent 17 years at the Miller School as an orthopaedic surgeon, clinician, and researcher building an impressive reputation globally.

H. Thomas Temple, M.D.

“Dr. Tom Temple is a renowned sarcoma surgeon and researcher who will contribute greatly to our mission of building one of the strongest sarcoma programs in the world,” said Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., Sylvester director and the Oscar de la Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. “Not only is he a recognized surgeon, but he is also advancing new techniques in treating patients with sarcoma.”

Francis Hornicek, M.D., Ph.D., director of orthopaedic oncology at Sylvester and chair of the Miller School’s Department of Orthopaedics worked closely with Dr. Nimer to bring Dr. Temple back to Sylvester, which is now a National Cancer Institute- (NCI) designated cancer center.

“I am excited to have Dr. Tom Temple return to the University of Miami,” said Dr. Hornicek. “He is one of the best sarcoma surgeons in the world and he will be a cornerstone of Sylvester’s sarcoma site disease group.”

Advancing sarcoma care and research

Board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Temple treats benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors in children and adults. His research focus includes stem cell applications in regenerative medicine, tissue banking, and developing targeted natural killer cell therapies for sarcomas.

“I am looking forward to working with my friends and colleagues at Sylvester,” said Dr. Temple. “Dr. Nimer has done an extraordinary job in many ways, particularly achieving the NCI designation, which opens the door to powerful research opportunities and collaborations with cancer specialists around the world.”

A recognized leader in sarcoma research, Dr. Temple has studied the use of stem cells and other materials in regenerative medicine for more than two decades. He holds approximately 20 patents related to therapeutic strategies, such as combining stem cells with bone and cartilage allografts taken from cell and tissue donors.

“We have made great strides in achieving better outcomes for sarcoma patients, including better wound healing,” he said. “We are also able to freeze tumors using minimally invasive percutaneous techniques that minimize side effects and shorten hospital stays.”

Dr. Temple has written more than 200 scientific articles and book chapters and is assistant editor for Foot and Ankle International and as deputy editor for Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research and the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. He is a board examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Temple also serves as chief medical officer of Vivex Biomedical, a Miami company that develops biologic and regenerative health therapies, and a member of the strategic advisory board for My Medical Images, a Boca Raton company whose platform allows patients to share images with professionals anywhere in the world.

A distinguished career

Dr. Temple first joined the Miller School in 1998 and served as professor of orthopaedic surgery and pathology, vice chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, chief of the Orthopaedic Oncology Division until 2015. He also served as director and CEO of the University of Miami Tissue Bank from 2007 to 2013.

For the past six years, Dr. Temple has been professor of orthopaedic surgery at Nova Southeastern University and senior vice president of NSU Translational Research and Economic Development.

Dr. Temple earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and his musculoskeletal oncology fellowship at Harvard-Massachusetts General Hospital-Boston Children’s Hospital. He served as chief of orthopaedic oncology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. from 1993 to 1998.

Dr. Temple is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Orthopaedic Association, the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, the International Skeletal Society, the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons, the American Association of Tissue Banks, the Girdlestone Society, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.

Tags: Dr. H. Thomas Temple, sarcoma, Sylverster Comprehensive Cancer Center