Dr. Joseph Moskal to Step Down as Chair of Orthopaedics

Joseph Moskal, MD, announced plans to end his surgical practice and step down as chair of the Department of Orthopaedics, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Dr. Moskal will continue to serve Carilion as a physician within Orthopaedics and actively continue with his non-surgical practice, seeing new patients, follow-ups, new consults in the office and supporting efforts to increase patient access in our ambulatory sites, as well as remain active in all his scholarship, research and academic endeavors.

Dr. Moskal said, “I always wanted the last patient that I operated on to get the same care and outcomes that my very first patient got. And I would rather stop operating 5 years too early rather than 1 minute too late.” 

We will begin a national search for his successor as chair, who can follow along the road he paved for professional achievements, academic success and compassionate patient care.

Dr. Moskal has been a member of our medical staff since 1988 and came to Carilion in 2010 with the merger of Roanoke Orthopaedic Center. In 2014, Dr. Moskal became the first chair of our newly formed Department of Orthopaedics. Today, largely thanks to his tireless efforts, the department is the largest academic orthopaedic practice in Virginia. Under his leadership, the department started an Orthopaedic residency program as well.  

Dr. Moskal led the formation of our Institute for Orthopaedics and Neurosciences and the adoption of advanced surgical techniques for patients in our region, building Carilion’s reputation as a destination for specialized orthopaedic care. 

In his long and accomplished career, Dr. Moskal has been the recipient of many professional awards in orthopaedics. He is a nationally and internationally recognized thought-leader and innovator.

We will continue to benefit from his leadership and commitment to our organization as he pursues the next phase of his professional career within Carilion Clinic.