Robert A. Christian, MD, MBA, is an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at
Columbia University’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery and an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in the operative and non-operative treatment of athletes of all ages and skill levels, including pediatric and adult patients. He is an expert in arthroscopic and open surgery of the hip and knee. A native of Milwaukee, WI, Dr. Christian received a B.A. in Economics from Georgetown University and his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He completed his residency training in orthopedic surgery at Northwestern University, where he served as Chief Resident and was awarded the Brian J. Hartigan, MD, Memorial Award.
While in residency, Dr. Christian earned his MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. Dr. Christian completed fellowships in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Hip Preservation at Duke University in Durham, NC, where he served as a team physician for Duke’s basketball, football, and baseball teams. Currently, Dr. Christian serves as Team Physician for Iona College where he cares for student athletes with a variety of hip and knee injuries.
Throughout his training, Dr. Christian has been active in academic research, having published over 20 peer-reviewed articles on various topics related to hip arthroscopy, femoroacetabular impingement, quality improvement, value-based healthcare, and surgical techniques. His ongoing research projects focus on optimizing patient outcomes with a particular interest in complex hip and knee pathology. Dr. Christian also has a significant interest in resident and fellow education and mentorship. He is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), and the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA). Outside of his practice, Dr. Christian enjoys golfing, snowboarding, and personal fitness.
