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Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence
Posted on 08-26-2025 in Community Outreach by Dr. Roger Ostrander, Dr. Joshua Hackel
Posted on 08-26-2025 in Community Outreach by Dr. Roger Ostrander, Dr. Joshua Hackel
In 2004, Dr. Roger Ostrander and Dr. Josh Hackel stood beside their mentor and friend, Dr. James Andrews, to announce the creation of the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Gulf Breeze, Florida. During the announcement, the practice's namesake, Dr. Andrews, noted, "We would like to figure out how to prevent the injuries that we see in all of our youth sports, and you know you've got lots of those going on in this community."
And figure it out, they did.
Making their way to the community from Birmingham, Alabama, the three officially opened the Andrews Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Center—the physician practice that would staff the Institute—in September 2004. Their singular collective goal was to provide exceptional patient care while remaining at the forefront of innovation and research. The practice found immense success under the auspices of this guiding light, and by 2024, Drs. Ostrander and Hackel would continue to serve as preferred providers of the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and help grow North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists into the cornerstone of the medical community it is today.
As they approach twenty years of serving the community, the entire medical staff of North Florida Bone and Joint Specialists reflect on myriad accomplishments and remain steadfast as they continue to advance their specialties in incalculable ways.
Dr. Roger Ostrander
As a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Ostrander completed his sports medicine and arthroscopy fellowship training under Dr. Andrews and treats musculoskeletal conditions resulting from injury, overuse and arthritis. He specializes in arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgical techniques, which reduce post-operative recovery time and allow for an earlier return to work and play.
In addition to his practice, he trains other orthopaedic surgeons and serves as the Director of the Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Fellowship at the Andrews Institute. He has also conducted and published numerous research studies through the Andrews Research and Education Foundation, including those focused on shoulder labral tears in professional and collegiate football athletes and ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in baseball players. Dr. Ostrander is the Team Orthopaedic Surgeon for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos AA baseball team, University of West Florida Athletics and Gulf Breeze High School. He has extensive sideline experience, including coverage of the United States National Indoor Lacrosse Team, as well as covering football with Dr. Andrews at Auburn University.
"When we first arrived in Gulf Breeze 20 years ago, it was hard to envision how the Andrews Institute would grow and evolve over the years. We are proud of what it's become as a center of excellence for patient care, research and education," said Dr. Ostrander.
Dr. Josh Hackel
Dr. Hackel is a board-certified sports medicine physician who also completed his fellowship training under Dr. Andrews. With a similar focus on returning to sport, work, and daily activities as quickly and safely as possible, Dr. Hackel specializes in treating musculoskeletal and orthopaedic injuries to maximize healing and minimize recovery time. As a pioneer in his own right, Dr. Hackel was part of establishing the Regenerative Medicine Center at the Andrews Institute in 2016 and was the first physician in the region to utilize stem cell therapy successfully in the treatment of soft tissue injuries and joint disorders. Additionally, he was chairman and established one of the first ultrasound courses to teach other doctors locally, nationally and internationally how to use ultrasound more efficiently and precisely to diagnose musculoskeletal injuries.
Aside from his practice, Dr. Hackel is the Director of the Andrews Institute Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship and has served as Principal Investigator for numerous studies, including his most recent ARISE II Knee Osteoarthritis Study. He also serves as a Team Physician for the UWF Football program and the Medical Director for the American Magic Sailing Team.
July is Park & Recreation Month, a national celebration of the green spaces and recreational opportunities that help communities thrive. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, we believe this observance is the perfect reminder of how time spent outdoors isn’t just good for the soul—it’s good for your joints, too.
With temperatures already in the eighties or higher across the Florida Panhandle, staying hydrated is critical for the health of your joints, not just for your overall health. While water intake is most commonly associated with skin health, digestion and energy levels, hydration is just as vital in keeping your joints moving comfortably and efficiently. Below are a few of the most common questions, along with answers, to help stay “fluid” in the Florida heat.
With the school year beginning soon, many parents, including me, are busy checking off supply lists and preparing our kids for the transition back to the classroom. But as a Sports Medicine physician and a parent, I know that ensuring a healthy and safe school year goes far beyond pencils and paper. The start of school is the perfect time to review a few key safety and wellness practices with your children, especially when it comes to backpack safety, hydration, and nutrition.