Through thousands of surgeries and years of experience, Gregory Kolovich, MD has emerged as one of the region’s most gifted hand specialists – and while his reputation is one that’s well earned, the journey there didn’t always run in a straight line.

Starting out in his academic career, Kolovich pursued engineering while attending Atlanta’s Georgia Tech University with the goal of eventually working for NASA. A working student, it was a side job that ultimately set him on the path to orthopedics.

Said Kolovich, “While I was in school to make extra money for rent, I started to work for an organ and tissue procurement company. That’s how I started getting interested in anatomy, dissection, and surgery.”

He would ultimately earn his engineering degree, but only as a stepping stone to medical school at The Ohio State University. While there he studied under the renowned Michael Ruff, MD.

“Dr. Ruff was a mentor to me and he is one of those guys that can do anything,” said Kolovich. “He’s a ‘doctor’s doctor.’ I really learned a lot and liked the versatility of microsurgery.”

Following a Harvard University Fellowship, he set his sights on Georgia and found his new home at Optim Orthopedics, specializing in in treatment of fractures, carpal tunnel, trigger finger, and traumas. While Kolovich offers the latest in cutting edge surgical techniques, he first explores all non-surgical options – from physical therapy to regenerative medicine.

“I actually end up spending more time talking people out of surgery,” he said with a laugh. “Unless there’s something glaring like an obvious displacement or fracture, I want to explore all treatment options before thinking about surgery.”