Education

Nova Southeastern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
North Miami Beach, Florida
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
May 1996

Florida International University
Miami, Florida
Physical Therapy
Bachelor of Science
August 1989

Broward Community College
Davie, Florida
Physical Therapist Assistant
Associate of Science
May 1987

Broward Community College
Davie, Florida
Pre-Physical Therapy
Associate of Arts
May 1985

Leadership Positions

Chair, Department of Surgery
Oakhill Hospital
December 2020 – 2022

Graduate Medical Education
Teaching Faculty, Transitional Year & Family Medicine, and Podiatry Residency Programs
Oakhill Hospital
November 2017 – present

Graduate Medical Education
Teaching Faculty, Nova Southeastern Medical Students
Oakhill Hospital
July 2021 – present

Fellow Award: 2020
American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopaedics
CME Committee: 2018- present

Chair, Medical Staff Standards and Peer Review
Oakhill Hospital
2018 – 2022

The American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Senior On-Site Clinical Examiner: March 2017 – Present
Oral Examiner: 2014

Board of Trustees
Bayfront Health Hospital Brooksville & Spring Hill Campuses
17240 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, FL 34601
10461 Quality Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609
March 2016 – December 2016
January 2019- December 2021

Medical Executive Committee
Bayfront Health Hospital Brooksville & Spring Hill Campuses
17240 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, FL 34601
10461 Quality Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609
2008-2011 as Chief of Surgery
March 2011 – December 2011
January 2014 – December 2016

Medical Staff Standards and Peer Review
Oak Hill Hospital
11375 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, FL 34613
January 2010 – December 2012
January 2018 – December 2022

Chief of Surgery
Bayfront Health Hospital Brooksville
17240 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, FL 34601
January 2008 – December 2011

Delegate, Board of Trustees
Florida Osteopathic Medical Association
2011 – 2017

Professional Experience

Michael W. Higgins, D.O., P.A., d/b/a
Hernando Orthopaedic & Spinal Surgery
Operative and Non-Operative Management of General Orthopaedic and Spinal Conditions
January 2005 – present

Stability Orthopaedics
Attending – General Orthopaedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery
August 2003 – December 2004

New York University/Hospital for Joint Diseases
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellow – Orthopaedic Surgery Spine
August 2002 – August 2003

Peninsula Hospital
Far Rockaway, New York
Department of Graduate Medical Education
Resident – Orthopaedic Surgery
July 1998 – July 2002

Peninsula Hospital
Far Rockaway, New York
Department of Graduate Medical Education
Resident – General Surgery
July 1997 – June 1998

Palmetto General Hospital
Hialeah, Florida
Department of Medical Education
Chief Intern, Traditional Rotating Internship
June 1996 – June 1997

Michael W. Higgins, RPT
Miami, Florida
Independent Physical Therapy Services
Specializing in Orthopaedic and Sports Rehabilitation
August 1990 – June 1997

Jose E. Jaen, M.D., P.A.
Hialeah, Florida
Director of Physical Therapy
Specializing in Rehabilitation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament,
Joint Replacements & Reconstructions
1990 – 1997

Broward Community College
Hollywood Florida
Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Instructor, Musculoskeletal Anatomy, 4 Credit Hours, Lecture and Lab
January 1990 – May 1990

AMI Palmetto General Hospital
Hialeah, Florida
Physical Therapy Department
Registered Physical Therapist/ Registered Physical Therapist Assistant
Supervisor of Weekend Staff
August 1987 – May 1996

Imperial Point Medical Center
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Physical Therapy Department
Registered Physical Therapist Assistant, Physical Therapy Aide
April 1986 – August 1987

Professional Lectures

Multiple Orthopaedic Community Lectures
2004 – present

Radio Talk Show “No Bones About It” on WXJB 99.9 FM
Listeners call in with inquires on various orthopaedic techniques and developments.
Bi-monthly, 2006 – present

Florida Osteopathic Medical Association Lecture
2013 State Convention
Orthopaedics for the Primary Care Physician

American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics.
Amelia Island: Non Operative Management for Spinal Disorders

Florida Society of Peri-anesthesia Nurses
Current Concepts in Joint Replacements 2016

Committees

American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
Continuing Medical Education Committee
2016, 2018 – present

American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
Scientific Paper Judging/Editorial Sub Committee
2013 – 2014, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018

Publications

Scheuermann’s Kyphosis: A Ten Year Retrospective Study
The Orthopod, Journal of The American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Volume 39, Number 1, April 2002

Research

A Modified Anterior Muscle Sparing Retroperitoneal Approach to the Lumbar Spine: Techniques and Outcomes.
Poster Presentation at “Spine Across the Sea”, Hawaii, July 2003 and
The North American Spine Society Meeting, Canada, September 2003

Surgical Treatment of Patellar Tendon and Quadriceps-Tendon Ruptures Using Suture Anchors
Poster Presentation at the Eastern Orthopaedic Association, 33rd Annual Meeting,
New Orleans, Louisiana, 2001

An Analysis of Musculoskeletal Fatigue of the Triceps While Riding a Stationary Bicycle with the Elbows Extended at Zero Degrees versus Flexed at Fifteen Degrees
Research Consultant to Jim Beldzik, P.T., 1996

Cavicare Wound Dressing Research – Smith & Nephew
Field Researcher with Dr. Richard Johnson, M.D., Chief of Surgery,
Broward General Medical Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1995 – 1996

Electromyographic Analysis of the Quadriceps and Erector Spinae Muscles During Two Static Lifting Tasks
Submitted to the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, January 1990 and
at Combined Sections Meeting, February 1991

Professional Organizations

American Osteopathic Association
1992 – present

American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery
2002 – present

Florida Osteopathic Medical Association
1992 – present

New York State Osteopathic Medical Association
2003 – present

North American Spine Society
2002 – 2010

Student Osteopathic Medical Association
1992 – 1996

Lambda Omicron Gamma (Professional Fraternity)
1992 – 1996

American College of Family Practitioners
1992 – 1996

American Medical Association
1992 -1997

Professional Activities & Awards

Board Certified in Anti-Aging Medicine
November 2010

Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery
September 2008

Orthopaedic Resident of the Year Award
1992 & 2002

Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges
1995

Nominated for Student Doctor of the Year
Nova Southeastern Undergraduate
American Academy of Osteopathy
1994

Nova Southeastern Sports Medicine Club
President
1992 – 1996

Nova Southeastern Undergraduate
American Academy of Osteopathy
1992 – 1996
Treasurer 1993

Student Ethics and Relations Committee
1992 – 1994

Community Service

Hurricane Andrew Relief Team
Homestead, Florida
1992

Cuban Refugee Assistance
Miami, Florida
1994

President Ancient Order of Hibernians
2018 – present

Faithful Navigator
Knights of Columbus
2016-2018

Certifications

Florida Medical License #OS 7550

New York Medical License #224424

Registered Physical Therapist

Florida Department of Professional Regulations, PT #0006142

Certified in the Fabrication of Foot Orthotics by the Dogwood Institute
1990 – present

American Heart Association, ACLS Provider
2002 – present

American Heart Association, BCLS Provider
2002

Personal

Married and in good health. Wife, Cara and three children, all boys. Edward (16), Ian (14) and Patrick (9). All Competitive Irish Dancers

Bilingual (speak and read Spanish)

Hobbies include Fishing, Scuba Diving and Racquetball

Lecturing to Allied Health Professionals on various osteopathic and orthopaedic issues and concepts. Teaching Osteopathic Medical Students and the community the importance and Difference a D.O. makes.