UH Med Now

Pictured: Courtesy photo.

The Kea‘au High School graduate discovered his passion for medicine while training to be a firefighter during college

Special to UH Med Now: Mona Wood-Sword, IKAIKA Communications

JABSOM Associate Professor Dr. Paul Norio Mortonʻs philosophy is that everyone deserves a patient-centered and individualized approach with both non-operative and operative treatments available. He will provide you with the best that modern orthopedics has to offer with rapid-recovery techniques, advanced analgesia, and cosmetic wound closure. Whether your problem stems from a sports injury or a complex trauma, his experience with challenging cases provides him with the tool kit needed to offer his patients the best possible solutions and care, and all with a friendly, comfortable approach.

“Some of my patients nicknamed me ʻthe robot doc’ because I specialize in robotic surgery. I believe it is more precise, less invasive, has fewer complications, and will get you back out there feeling pain-free faster,” said Dr. Morton. “But, although I use the latest technology, I still believe in good, old-fashioned, friendly, personalized care. I always want my patients to feel special and to know their individual care and treatment are really important to me.”

A proud graduate of Kea‘au High School, Class of 2003, Dr. Morton discovered his passion for medicine while training to be a first responder at Miami Township (Ohio) Fire-Rescue where he was double-majoring in Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences at Antioch College. Working as a firefighter and emergency medical technician, he enjoyed helping people who were in car accidents, doing search-and-rescue missions, and assisting with medical emergencies. The experience ignited his passion for helping people which led him back to Hawai‘i to obtain his medical degree from the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine (UH JABSOM) – where he is now an Associate Professor. Dr. Morton did rotations at University of Santo Tomas(Medicine and Surgery Rotation) in Manila, Philippines, and Hamamatsu School of Medicine (Orthopedic Rotation) in Shizuoka, Japan. Dr. Morton did his Orthopedic Residency at St. Luke’s University and Health Network in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania.

Before returning home to Hawai‘i to practice, Dr. Morton obtained American Counsel of Graduate Medical Education (“ACGME”) Accreditation training in Adult Reconstruction at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. During his fellowship, he had excellent mentors who taught him the latest technologies in robotic joint replacements and how to care for joint replacement disasters. He then went on to complete an AO Trauma Fellowship at Charité Universitätsmedizin in Berlin, Germany – one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in Europe.

“I feel really blessed to return home to Hawai‘i to practice,” added Dr. Morton. “It has always been my dream to bring the advanced training and knowledge I have learned back home to help our local community. As my patient, you can expect to receive the most advanced, honest, and effective treatment.”

Dr. Morton opened his solo orthopedic surgery practice at the Queenʻs Medical Center in Honolulu. Dr. Morton’s focus is on joint reconstruction, joint preservation and salvage procedures. He has an interest in minimally-invasive approaches, including the Direct Anterior approach, an alternative to conventional total hip replacement, and is well-versed in modern adult reconstruction techniques including partial knee replacements and robotic-assisted replacements. Dr. Morton obtained certifications in MAKO, Navio, and Rosa robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery. He also has extensive training in complex revisions of failed joint replacements, including megaprosthesis, infections, arthrofibrosis and periprosthetic fractures.

In his spare time, Dr. Morton enjoys providing volunteer medical support at mixed martial events. His passions include Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, traveling, biking, swimming, water sports, and hiking. Dr. Morton embraces helping patients on their healthcare journey to get back in action and deciding when to pursue nonoperative and surgical care.

Dr. Morton can be contacted at his website.