Dr. O.A. Nercessian was born on September 11, 1951 in Kessab, Syria. A dedicated physician and surgeon, he devoted his life to advancing orthopedic medicine and patient care, leaving a legacy of excellence that spanned continents.

In 2008, Dr. Nercessian was elected as a foreign member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.

Education & Career

Dr. Nercessian graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Herbert H. Lehman College (1973–1977). He went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1981. From 1981 to 1983 Dr. Nercessian was a surgical resident at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University in St. Louis MO. In 1983, Dr. Nercessian joined Columbia Orthopedics/NYOH as a resident and later as a fellow in the hip and knee service under Drs. Frank Stinchfield and Nas Eftekhar. In 1987, he became a faculty member, building a lifelong academic and clinical career at Columbia.

For five years Dr. Nercessian was a member of FAR board directors. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Nercessian held active medical licenses in New York, New Jersey, and California, ensuring a wide scope of practice and outreach across the United States.

Dr. Nercessian earned his certifications from the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. These credentials affirmed his expertise and adherence to the highest standards in orthopedic care.

As a consultant, Dr. Nercessian played an active role in global medical outreach. He joined the Earthquake Medical Relief Committee in Armenia in 1989 and worked with the Armenian General Benevolent Union’s Airlift and Plastic/Orthopaedic Surgery Projects in 1989 and 1990. He contributed to the establishment of a modern teaching hospital in Yerevan and led a 1993 humanitarian mission with 17 U.S. medical professionals. He continued to advise Armenia’s Ministry of Health and supported healthcare initiatives through the 1990s and beyond, including work with the American University of Armenia and Republican Hospital.

Honors and Citations

Dr. Nercessian’s outstanding contributions to medicine earned him numerous honors. In 2010, he was recognized by Pope Benedict XVI. In 2012, Dr. Nercessian received the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor. From 2008 to 2015, he was consistently named a top orthopedic specialist by the Consumer’s Research Guide of America, highlighting his excellence in patient care and innovation.

Dr. Nercessian served as a visiting professor at numerous renowned institutions. He delivered the 10th Annual Professor Arthur Sweeney Lecture at Lehman College in 1989 and taught at Massachusetts General Hospital’s 21st Annual Hip Course (Harvard Medical School) in 1991. That same year, he lectured and trained physicians at multiple Brazilian institutions including Hospital Central Da Santa Casa and University of Brazil. His international teaching extended to the Mayo Clinic, Hahnemann University Medical Center, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Invention

Dr. Nercessian co-invented the Ultrasonic Tool (Acryl-X) system for cement removal in revision total hip arthroplasty, alongside D. Wuchinich and P. Hounanian. This innovative device improved surgical efficiency and patient outcomes in complex orthopedic procedures.

Publications

Dr. Nercessian authored numerous impactful studies in orthopedic surgery, with a focus on hip arthroplasty, trauma, and implant wear. His works were published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, The Journal of Arthroplasty, and major surgical textbooks including The Adult Hip. He explored topics such as prosthesis loosening diagnostics, trochanteric fixation biomechanics, osteolysis, and neurogenic injury. He also co-authored reports on surgical missions to Armenia and presented internationally at the AAOS and other conferences.Dr. Nercessian is married to Dr. Hasmik Sarkissian and lives in USA.

International relations and Youth projects of NAS RA