Dr. David Altchek, a titan in the world of sports medicine who revolutionized the Tommy John surgery, transforming it into a reliable path to recovery for countless athletes, has passed away at the age of 68.
His death was announced by the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), where he served as co-chief emeritus.
Altchek had been privately battling a brain tumor, a diagnosis he shared with colleagues last year.
For decades, Altchek was at the forefront of orthopedic surgery and sports injury recovery.
As a longtime medical director for the New York Mets, he helped countless baseball players and athletes from other disciplines return to peak form through his innovative surgical techniques and compassionate care.
David Altchek’s Legacy Has Been Etched In Medicine And Baseball
Altchek served as the Mets’ head team physician from 1991 to 2001 and later as the team’s medical director from 2005 through 2024.
He was also the medical director of the North American ATP Tour and team physician for the U.S. Davis Cup team from 1999 to 2003.
Throughout his career, Altchek performed more than 2,400 Tommy John surgeries, a number that cements his place among the procedure’s most trusted experts.
His surgical refinement, known as the “docking technique,” greatly improved recovery outcomes and became a gold standard in the field.
In a 2024 interview, he said,
“My first Tommy John surgery was in 1993. It took 2 1/2 hours and I was exhausted. I realized then we needed to make it easier. We did, and it worked for over 20 years.”
Sports Medicine Was A Family Affair For David Altchek
David Wilson Altchek was born to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Martin Altchek and raised in Middletown, New York.
A standout student, he graduated summa cum laude from Columbia College and earned his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in 1982.
He trained at The New York Hospital and completed his orthopedic residency at HSS, where he studied under Dr. Russell Warren, the team physician for the New York Giants.
His deep ties to athletics extended beyond his career.
His grandfather, George Cherry, was a track and field athlete at Auburn University.
David’s own family embraced both academia and sports as his son, Charles, was twice named Ivy League Men’s Soccer Player of the Year at Harvard and is currently the president of MLS Next Pro.
David Altchek Was A Devoted Husband And Father
Doctor Altchek married his wife, Anne Salmson, in 1981.
A graduate of Barnard College and La Maison d’Education de la Legion d’Honneur in France, Anne worked in international banking and public relations.
The couple had four children: Charles, Christopher, Chloe, and Sophie.
Anne is the daughter of Jean-Francois Salmson, president of a central-heating company in Versailles, and Christiane Marquezy, PR director for the Marie Claire Album magazine group in Paris.
His family accompanied him during his struggling days and also when he received numerous honors throughout his career.
