Loading Complete
Albert Jonathan Aboulafia

Albert Jonathan Aboulafia, MD, MBA

Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic Oncology

Accepting New Patients
Online Booking
Johns Hopkins Affiliations:
  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty

Languages

  • Spanish
  • Hebrew
  • English

14 Insurances Accepted

View all

Gender

Male

About Albert Jonathan Aboulafia

Primary Academic Title

Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

Background

Albert Aboulafia, M.D., F.A. C.S., M.B.A., is a nationally and internationally recognized leader as a clinician, researcher and educator in orthopaedic oncology. Dr. Aboulafia specializes in treating adults and children who have benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors. He is active on editorial boards and in academics, research, teaching, and national and international speaking engagements. 

Dr. Aboulafia attended the University of Michigan Medical School, and he performed a general surgery internship and subsequent residency training in orthopaedic surgery at the Los Angeles County, University of Southern California Medical Center. He then completed a fellowship in orthopaedic oncology through a combined program at the Washington Hospital Center, the Children’s National Hospital and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

Dr. Aboulafia served as an attending staff physician at the Washington Hospital Center and the Children’s National Hospital Center and consulted for the surgery branch at the NIH as an associate professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine. He then joined the faculty at the Emory University School of Medicine before moving to Baltimore, where he worked at Sinai Hospital and became a clinical professor of orthopaedics at the University of Maryland. There, he worked with residents from several orthopaedic programs and with students.  

Dr. Aboulafia received a master’s degree in business administration from the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School in 2006. He then became the medical director of the Baltimore region’s cancer program and the chief of orthopaedic oncology at MedStar Health, where he also served as acting chief of surgery. Dr. Aboulafia joined the orthopaedic surgery department at Johns Hopkins Medicine in November 2022.  

As an academic physician, Dr. Aboulafia has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and served as course director and/or faculty member for over 60 courses. He has also been an invited speaker for more than 150 local, national and international presentations, and he serves on the editorial board or as a reviewer for over a dozen journals including the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, Orthopaedics, the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Cancer and the Annals of Oncology.  

Dr. Aboulafia participates in local, national and international clinical trials as an investigator or local principal investigator. He also trains residents from several orthopaedic programs including those at MedStar, the University of Maryland, Sinai Hospital and the York residency program. 

Dr. Aboulafia has served as a member or chair of various national, international and local committees and organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American-European Musculoskeletal Tumor Society and the Maryland Orthopedic Association, and he is a past president of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society and the Baltimore City Medical Society. 

The numerous prestigious accolades that Dr. Aboulafia has received throughout his career include recognition by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and TIME for his contribution to cancer care, and in Baltimore magazine’s Top Doctors issue every year since 2014. He has also been recognized for his commitment to volunteer work, and he received a certificate of appreciation and medal from the Maryland Board of Physicians, the governor of Maryland and the secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for his work in New Orleans’ Jefferson Parish after Hurricane Katrina. The Institute for Global Health and Development applauded Dr. Aboulafia’s leadership role in Haiti with Project Medishare following the 2010 earthquake there. He also received distinguished service recognition for his work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  

Dr. Aboulafia was the inaugural recipient of the AAOS Achievement Award, and he was a fellow and mentor for the AAOS Leadership Fellows Program. The Boy Scouts of America’s Baltimore Area Council honored him with a Health Care Leadership Award in 2022.

Research Interests

Treating adults and children who have benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors

Selected Publications

  • Aradhya N, Aminpour N, Desale S, Villano A, Unger K, Al-Rafaie W. National Evaluation of Patterns and Predictors of Under-use of Multimodal Therapy for High-Risk Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Surgery.?2022 May;171(5):1348-1357.?doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2021.10.034.?Epub 2022 Feb 2.

  • Krumme J, MacConnell A. Wallace M, Aboulafia A, Jelinek J, Adams B, Henshaw R. Early Failures Using the Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System in Pathologic and Impending Fractures. Orthopedics. 2021;44(3):154–159.  https://doi.org/10.3928/01477447-20210416-06

  • Mayassi HA, Zeitlinger LN, Aboulafia AJ, Wallace MT. Reconstruction of Metastatic Bone Loss of the Proximal Femur and Acetabulum. Current Orthopaedic Practice. July/August 2020, 31(4):336-342. 

  • Sax,Oc. Mohamed NS, Pervaiz SS, Douglas SJ, Aboulafia AJ, Delenois RE. The Effect of Modern Antiretroviral Therapy on Complication Rates After Total Hip Arthroplasty. JBJS Open Access. 2021 May 4;6(2):e20.00175. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.20.00175. eCollection 2021 Apr-Jun.PMID:?34056505? 

  • Schneider P, Heels-Ansdell D, Thabane L, Ghert M on behalf of the PARITY Investigators. Prophylactic Antibiotic Regimens In Tumor Surgery (PARITY): a multi-center randomized controlled study comparing alternative antibiotic regimens in patients undergoing tumor resections with endoprosthetic replacements – a statistical analysis plan. Trials 2021; 22:223.

Honors

  • Senior Achievement Award American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Health Care Leadership Award, The Boy Scouts of America Baltimore Area Council, 1/1/22
  • Inaugural Recipient Achievement Award, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), 1/1/10
  • Recognition of Leadership for Relief Services in Haiti, Global Institute for Global Health and Development Project Medishare, 1/1/10
  • Certificate of Appreciation and Medal, The Maryland Board of Physicians, Governor and The Secretary of Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for Services in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, 1/1/05

Lectures & Presentations

  • Aboulafia, AJ, Zeitlinger L. "Tumors of the Upper Extremity"., Oral Presentation, Union Memorial Hand Fellows' Lecture, Baltimore, Maryland, 6/1/21
  • Benign and Malignant Primary Bone Tumors., Oral Presentation, AAOS Board Maintenance of Certification Preparation and Review, 7/1/20
  • Benign and Malignant Soft Tissue Tumors, Principles of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Metastatic Bone Tumors., Oral Presentation, AAOS Board Maintenance of Certification Preparation and Review. General Orthopaedics, Rosemont IL, 1/1/19
  • Everything or most of what you need to know about Primary and Malignant Tumors of Bone., Virtual Course, AAOS Board Maintenance of Certification, Preparation and Review., Virtual Course, 7/16/22
  • Soft Tissue Lumps and Bumps for the General Surgeon., Oral Presentation, Gastric and Soft Tissue Neoplasms 2019, Washington, D.C., 9/1/19

Memberships

  • Fellow American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Fellow American College of Surgeons
  • Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (Past President)
  • American Orthopaedic Association
  • American College of Surgeons Oncology Group
  • Baltimore City Medical Society (Past President)

Locations

  1. Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
    • 601 North Caroline Street, Suite 5009, Baltimore, MD 21287
    • Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
      • 10803 Falls Road, Pavilion III STE 2100, Lutherville, MD 21093

      Expertise

      Education

      Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

      Graduate School, MBA, 2006

      MedStar Washington Hospital Center

      Fellowship, Orthopedic Oncology, 1991

      LAC + USC Medical Center

      Residency, Orthopaedic Surgery, 1990

      University of Michigan Medical School

      Medical Education, MD, 1985

      Board Certifications

      Orthopaedic Surgery

      American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2023

      Insurance

      Johns Hopkins providers accept various commercial health insurance plans. However, they may not be included in all of an insurance company's plans or offerings. This may include Exchange, Medicaid, Medicare, and specific limited benefit plans. Exceptions to participation also exist based on your employer’s benefits package and the provider's location or specialty. Please contact your insurer directly to make sure your doctor is covered by your plan. For more details, please review our Insurance Information.
      Search plans
      • Aetna
      • CareFirst
      • Cigna
      • First Health
      • Geisinger Health Plan
      • HealthSmart/Accel
      • Humana
      • Johns Hopkins Health Plans
      • MultiPlan
      • Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
      • Point Comfort Underwriters
      • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
      • UnitedHealthcare
      • Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)

      Ratings & Reviews

      4.9 out of 5

      180 ratings, 71 reviews

      The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

      Overall Rating by Patient
      Average provider Overall Rating by Patient rating 4.8 out of 5 stars
      Provider Listened Carefully
      Average provider Provider Listened Carefully rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
      Provider Explained Things Clearly
      Average provider Provider Explained Things Clearly rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
      Provider Knew Medical History
      Average provider Provider Knew Medical History rating 4.8 out of 5 stars
      Provider Showed Respect
      Average provider Provider Showed Respect rating 4.9 out of 5 stars
      Provider Spent Enough Time
      Average provider Provider Spent Enough Time rating 4.8 out of 5 stars
      Search reviews
        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 1/15/2025

        Dr. Aboulafia Was excellent. I would highly recommend him. He made you feel very comfortable.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 1/15/2025

        My first visit..he was very professional..informative and concerned about my health and wellbeing and willing to address any concerns that I may have had..with a positive attitude !

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 1/14/2025

        Dr Aboulafia is a excellent Doctor. Have 100 % faith in him

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 1/8/2025

        Dr. Aboulafia was incredibly thorough, patient, knowledgeable and kind. We are so appreciative of his expertise and he put our minds at ease

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 12/24/2024

        I have known Dr. Aboulafia for 33 years. He performed surgery on me for cancer when I was 28 years old.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 12/18/2024

        Dr. Aboulafia is an excellent clinician and knowledgeable doctor. He shows great compassion to understand the underlying medical issues for what I am being treated for.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 12/18/2024

        I highly respect Dr. Aboulafia. He has always been kind, compassionate, and caring. I appreciate him stepping in to take over my case when my orthopedic surgeon, [staff], unexpectedly passed away.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 11/26/2024

        With each visit the Dr was kind, compassionate, and thorough with all my questions and concerns. He took time with me and also included my husband in the conversations.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 11/26/2024

        Related very well. Gave clear explanations and good ideas in regard to treatment options.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 11/20/2024

        Dr Aboulafia is the best. He's caring, he listens to you and treats you with respect. He talks to you at your level not above or below. He makes me feel well taken care of.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 11/12/2024

        Very good doctor, I would recommend him for his good work that roasts

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 11/6/2024

        Explained my options and was very helpful in making a decision. Great personality and sence of humor.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 10/30/2024

        Dr.Aboulafia is thorough and a "straight shooter". He tells it like it is. I can depend on him for this.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 10/30/2024

        Very helpful with my medical information

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 10/30/2024

        One of best Dr's I've ever had.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 10/16/2024

        Only one word. Outstanding

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 10/16/2024

        Excellent provider, explained in detail

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 10/9/2024

        Excellent speaker, exceptionally knowledgeable about my illness

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 10/2/2024

        I think he saved my life and is the most empathetic care provider ever.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 10/2/2024

        Excellent, professional, empathetic, knowledgeable.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 9/25/2024

        Dr. Aboulafia was fantastic. He provided clear information and answered all my questions and put me at ease.

        4 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 9/18/2024

        Good clinician overallrushed at this appointment Was not clear they reviewed chart ahead of time

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 9/18/2024

        Very personable, very confident and excellent communicator.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 9/18/2024

        Good provider so far. This was the first time I saw this provider so I can't really make a good assessment until I've saw them three times.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 9/4/2024

        I can only praise Dr Aboulafia for his obvious caringI wa and expertise as a surgeon

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 9/4/2024

        He was very knowledgeable and kind.He explained clearly about my health problem.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 8/28/2024

        Efficient; careful; compassionate

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 8/28/2024

        Informative n cincerned

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 8/21/2024

        Excellent doctor, in any aspect

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 8/7/2024

        Dr. Aboulafia is so kind, friendly, pleasant. We knew of him from prior providers office he was at.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/31/2024

        Very pleased with the entire process from getting an appointment within three business days and the doctors care was excellent

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/31/2024

        Excellent provider. Would recommend to anyone and would absolutely go back if needed.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/30/2024

        Dr Albulafia has been my doctor for 32 years.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/24/2024

        Incredibly nice and knowledgeable

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/24/2024

        Very nice Explained everything very clearly

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/23/2024

        Dr. Aboulafia is very knowledgeable and thorough in his explanation during my follow up. He expresses true concern about my overall well being, physically, and mentally.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/17/2024

        Good Bedside manner. Cares about my condition. Knowledgeable.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/17/2024

        This was my first visit with him. He was awesome! He explained everything in detail. He made me and my mom feel comfortable. He answered all my questions.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/17/2024

        Best Surgeon. Thinks outside of the box

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/10/2024

        Very good surgeon.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/3/2024

        Best care, second to none

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 7/2/2024

        He was very good explained everything.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 6/27/2024

        My Dr. ABOULAFIA was professional, knowledgeable & very attentive.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 6/19/2024

        I wish the good doctor could have at least suggested something to help negate the pain from the nerve sheath tumor in my left thigh.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 6/19/2024

        Dr A Aboulafia is the best orthopedic oncologist. He is a remarkedly compassionate, respectful and courteous. He is an excellent listener and allows you the time needed to understand your problems. I have been seeing Dr A for ten years and he has always been warm to welcome and always positive. My belief is he is the best of the best!

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 6/19/2024

        I love. Dr. Aboulafia and moved with him when he transferred to Johns Hopkins.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 6/6/2024

        Very friendly and informative

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 5/22/2024

        Dr Aboulafia, other Drs., all nurses and assistants were fantastic!

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 5/8/2024

        Always welcoming and makes me feel I am the only patient he has to see that day!

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 5/7/2024

        Dr. Aboulafia was excellent explaining everything & asking questions

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 5/1/2024

        Excellent doctor. One of the best doctors that I have ever consulted.

        3 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 5/1/2024

        Talks too much so that might be why he runs behind and the facility is very busy.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 4/30/2024

        Excellent, very professional, very friendly

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 4/24/2024

        First class. Excellent.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 4/18/2024

        Everyone I came into contact with was tremendous.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 4/16/2024

        Straight forward. Respectful. Direct in his communication. Says what he feels is best for the patient. Listens and respects the patient's opinion

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 4/10/2024

        Very easily to talk to Cared about my concerns

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 4/10/2024

        Very attentive to my concerns.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 4/10/2024

        Dr. Aboulafia took time to incorporate my concerns in prescribing a treatment plan. He explained each course of action patiently, and helped me understand the tradeoffs of each approach. In the end, I elected a hybrid approach to assertively do nothing, but to monitor the pain in my ankle to inform whether care should be escalated.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 4/9/2024

        I want to say thank you for your patience, courtesy, and professionalism.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 4/1/2024

        Everyone we encountered, over the phone and in person, were respectful, helpful and very prompt. We cannot thank everyone enough for their quick responses and delicacy in handling this situation.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 3/13/2024

        Dr. Aboulafia has been nothing short of phenomenal during a bracing time of health challenges. A great listener, highly responsive, adept at explaining concepts, and empathetic. In short, very patient centric. I've always felt that I'm in hands of an excellent clinician who exudes compassion and confidence,

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 3/12/2024

        Excellent. Love him! Also love [ ]!

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 3/12/2024

        Very professional and friendly. Loved his honest approach to my issue. Great sense of humor. Fabulous first visit.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 3/12/2024

        Very friendly. Gave me choices on how to proceed with current diagnosis. Made me feel comfortable to to reach out with any future concerns. Listened to all my worries about why I was there and did not make me feel like this this was not a big concern.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 3/12/2024

        Very pleasant and humorous. His encouragement certainly boosts patient morale. He is a specialist so I don't get to see him often. I saw him three times since my surgery last year and each time I thoroughly enjoyed the visit. I do want to mention that the first part of the appointment was to have x-rays taken in the facility, reviewed by a radiologist and the doctor, and then the visit itself. That saved another trip for imaging.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 3/6/2024

        Very personable, thorough and knowledgeable. Made me feel comfortable and cared for.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 3/6/2024

        Pleasant. He takes time with the client.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 2/27/2024

        Dr. Aboulafia is always pleasant and knowledgeable. He listens and is informative in an understandable way.

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 2/21/2024

        He is kind, smart and welcoming

        5 out of 5 stars
        Reviewed on 2/21/2024

        The doctor and nurse practitioner were friendly and supportive. Both asked me several times if I had any questions. Results were not provided to me yet because we are waiting for the biopsy results.