A Proven Leader in Orthopaedics
Dr. Kevin M. Kaplan, MD, FAAOS, brings more than two decades of high-level clinical experience to his new role at Altus Medical Group. A board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with a subspecialty in sports medicine, Dr. Kaplan joined the Altus team in 2025, expanding the practice’s focus from advanced spine surgery into full-service orthopaedic care. He now works alongside renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Andrew Cannestra to provide integrated injury care for patients throughout Jacksonville and beyond.
Dr. Kaplan’s addition to the group marks a new era for Altus—one rooted in surgical excellence, evidence-based recovery protocols, and elite-level athlete care that’s accessible to the broader community.
Educational Excellence and Surgical Training
Dr. Kaplan graduated summa cum laude from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Science in cell and molecular biology, earning Phi Beta Kappa and membership in numerous national honor societies. He earned his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha.
Following medical school, he completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at NYU Langone’s Hospital for Joint Diseases, where he served as Executive Chief Resident and authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications. He received multiple research honors, including the Sir Robert Jones Senior Clinical Research Award and The Kaufman Award for Pediatric Research.
Dr. Kaplan then completed a prestigious sports medicine fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. There, he worked with the orthopaedic teams for the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, Ducks, Sparks, and several collegiate programs—training directly under national leaders in shoulder, knee, and elbow surgery.
Team Physician and Community Advocate
Since 2009, Dr. Kaplan has served as the Head Team Physician for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. In addition, he is the team physician for The Bolles School, his alma mater, as well as Jacksonville University and many regional high schools. He has also served as the team physician for the University of North Florida and the Arena Football League’s Jacksonville Sharks.
Beyond football, Dr. Kaplan provides orthopaedic coverage for major local events, including the PGA Championship at Sawgrass, NCAA tournaments, and international gymnastics competitions at Veterans Memorial Arena.
His professional roles reflect a consistent commitment to sports injury prevention, athlete education, and safe return-to-play protocols.
Specialties and Areas of Expertise
Dr. Kaplan specializes in minimally invasive surgery and the full spectrum of sports-related injuries. His clinical focus includes:
- Shoulder surgery: Arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, capsular reconstruction, proximal biceps repair
- Knee surgery: ACL reconstruction, meniscal repair, subchondroplasty, patellar tendon repair
- Elbow surgery: UCL reconstruction, tennis elbow, distal biceps and triceps repair
- Sports medicine: Sprains, strains, throwing injuries, runner’s knee, return-to-play programs
- Orthobiologics: Regenerative treatments for the shoulder, knee, hip, and elbow
With advanced training in joint preservation and rehabilitation, Dr. Kaplan is known for tailoring procedures to the individual—whether that person is a professional athlete or a weekend cyclist recovering from overuse.
Publications and Research Leadership
Dr. Kaplan has authored more than 30 academic papers in the fields of orthopaedic surgery, biomechanics, and sports injury management. His research has been published in respected journals such as Arthroscopy, The Journal of Arthroplasty, Spine Journal, and the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He has also delivered podium presentations and scientific exhibits at numerous national conferences, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Select contributions include:
- Research on knotless rotator cuff repair techniques
- Studies on hip fracture management and shoulder chondrolysis
- Clinical reviews of throwing injuries in baseball pitchers
- Biomechanical investigations into meniscal allograft fixation
He is a fellow of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Integration into Altus Medical Group
Dr. Kaplan’s arrival at Altus Medical Group supports the clinic’s expansion into comprehensive musculoskeletal care. By joining forces with Dr. Cannestra—an expert in minimally invasive and robotic spinal surgery—Dr. Kaplan helps establish Altus as a multidisciplinary center for injury evaluation, surgical treatment, and rehabilitation.
Located at 3663 Crown Point Court in Jacksonville, the expanded practice now offers spine, orthopaedic, and sports medicine care under one roof, improving access, coordination, and outcomes for patients throughout the region.
As Dr. Kaplan explains, “We’re building a collaborative model where expert surgeons work side-by-side, so patients get the best of both worlds—deep specialization and unified care.”
