Dr. Shamash grew up in Connecticut and completed his undergraduate training at Binghamton University (SUNY), receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He subsequently attended the University at Buffalo (SUNY), where he received his Master of Science degree, while performing clinical research in oncology. He is a graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in the top 15% of his class. Dr. Shamash completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007. He served as the chief orthopaedic resident during his senior year and received the Henrietta and Jack Avart Memorial Award, given to the orthopaedic surgery resident who has shown exceptional competency in orthopaedic surgery during training. After graduating, Dr. Shamash went on to complete additional fellowship training in hand and upper extremity surgery at the prestigious NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
Dr. Shamash is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (AOBOS) and has added subspecialty qualification in surgery of the hand. He holds academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor at Rutgers RWJ Medical School, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, and NYITCOM in Long Island.
Dr. Shamash joined Garden State Orthopaedic Associates in 2008 and has focused his orthopaedic practice on the care of hand, wrist, and elbow injuries. He specializes in the care of fractures of the hand, wrist, and elbow, as well as the surgical and non-surgical treatment of bone, muscle, tendon, ligament, and nerve injuries within the upper extremity.
Dr. Shamash has always had a passion for teaching. In addition to his busy clinical practice, in 2013 he was appointed program director of the new orthopaedic surgery residency program at RWJBarnabas Health/Jersey City Medical Center, where he led the residency program and contributed to the education of our future orthopaedic surgeons. In 2023, Dr. Shamash transitioned to program consultant and continues to be a core faculty member.
In October 2014, Dr. Shamash received the award of Fellow of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to the practice of orthopaedic surgery.
Dr. Shamash takes a conservative approach to treating his patients and feels strongly that the most important factor in achieving excellent results is open communication, along with realistic patient expectations. He finds it extremely important for every patient to understand their diagnosis and to play a key role in the decision of which treatment option is best suited for that patient.
Dr. Shamash has privileges at The Valley Hospital and Holy Name Medical Center.
He lives in Bergen County with his wife, Dr. Rachel Shamash, an orthodontist in Paramus, New Jersey, and their three children. He enjoys skiing, tennis, hiking, and traveling.
Education and Training
- Columbia University Medical Center – NY Presbyterian Hospital – Fellowship in Hand, Upper Extremity, and Microvascular Surgery
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine – DO
- University at Buffalo – State University of New York (SUNY) – MS with a focus on colorectal cancer
- Binghamton University – State University of New York (SUNY) – BS in Biology
Memberships and Awards
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
- American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
- American Osteopathic Association
- New York Society for Surgery of the Hand
- Fellow Award – American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
- Henrietta and Jack Avart Memorial Award