Dr. William Andrew Hodge Joins the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Team

The James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa has welcomed Dr. William Andrew Hodge, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstructive surgery of the hip and knee. Dr. Hodge recently sat down to discuss his new role, the hospital’s mission, and the innovations he’s bringing to veteran care.

Why were you recruited to join the team?
I was brought on to focus on adult reconstructive hip and knee surgery, with the goal of helping to reduce wait times for primary procedures, as well as retain complex procedures like prosthetic joint infections and revision arthroplasty. Right now, veterans often wait a very long time; we aim to bring that down significantly by improving efficiencies within the system.

Since I was trained on these complex hip and knee procedures at Mass General Hospital in the Harvard system, I can also handle more complex cases. Specialized expertise is essential for procedures such as revision arthroplasty and prosthetic joint infections (PJI).

What unique experience are you bringing to the role?
We’re looking to build stronger collaboration among the four nearby VA hospitals in our Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISNS) district: James A. Haley in Tampa, Bay Pines in St. Petersburg, the Gainesville VA, and the Orlando VA.

The idea is for each center to develop specialized orthopedic services, working together to keep care within the VA system rather than referring out to private providers (which can cost three or four times as much). This approach will make advanced orthopedic care more efficient and affordable for veterans and can measure clinical outcomes.

How will technology improve veteran care?
We’re introducing smart implants that can remotely monitor a patient’s function after surgery. This can reduce the need for in-person follow-ups while flagging potential complications early.

We’re also refining how we treat prosthetic joint infections more efficiently, as well as bringing in advanced surgical instrumentation for complex hip and knee revisions from the world-renowned company, Shukla Medical in St. Petersburg. These upgrades will make care more precise, efficient, and improve patient outcomes.

Why choose the Tampa VA?
The Tampa VA is one of the largest in the nation and is home to advanced rehabilitation equipment, thanks to its Centers for Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury. Our joint replacement patients benefit from specialized rehabilitation resources like underwater treadmills and motion-analysis facilities, helping them regain mobility faster.

It’s also a major training hub for the University of South Florida’s medical students and orthopedic residency program. Every surgical case is reviewed weekly by a team of attendings and residents. Grand Rounds are presented every Friday at FIVE Labs Center near Midtown in Tampa, where national experts share the latest innovations in orthopedic care.

What’s been your impression of the patient experience so far?
I’ve been struck by the hospital’s strong culture of patient-centered care and teamwork. Multiple specialties— anesthesia, plastic surgery, interventional radiology, cardiology, nephrology, and pulmonology—work seamlessly together. Specialized post-op recovery areas, including surgical ICUs and step-down units, ensure veterans receive the right level of care at every stage.

A recent article, including a satisfaction survey, captured this spirit well:

“Compassionate staff emerged as a leading strength, with many veterans expressing gratitude for the kindness and empathy shown by healthcare professionals. One veteran, Micah Jones, shared his appreciation as a newcomer: ‘Everyone has been very helpful and supportive. I feel respected and treated like I matter.’”

That combination of easy access, empathy, and a healing environment is exactly why I’m proud to join the Tampa VA.