Eric M. Black, MD, is Vice Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Section Chief of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery at Summit Health. He is an orthopedic surgeon focusing on a variety of overuse, sports, and traumatic injuries. Dr. Black’s expertise includes complex arthroscopic surgery, reconstructive surgery, replacement surgery, and fracture surgery of the shoulder and elbow. He has advanced knowledge and skills in complex rotator cuff repairs, instability surgery, and shoulder replacements.  Dr. Black has additional expertise in complex fracture care from his experience as Chief Resident of the Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital Orthopaedic Trauma service. He has worked with a large, diverse patient population, including professional athletes as well as patients with major and minor trauma, and end-stage arthritis. He has trained with some of the world’s top shoulder and elbow surgeons.

“I enjoy treating patients of all ages and levels of ability. I believe it is important to develop individualized treatment plans that address each of my patient’s unique needs and maximize their function.” He adds, “I am conservative with my recommendations for surgery and I explore nonsurgical treatment options first.”

In October 2019, Dr. Black was honored by the Arthritis Foundation as Orthopedist of the Year. In 2024, Dr. Black was nominated by his peers into the prestigious and highly select Neer Circle of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. This is one of the highest honors bestowed upon members within the society and recognizes dedication to service and leadership.

Dr. Black is a consultant shoulder and elbow surgeon for the New Jersey Devils hockey program. He is also a team physician for Fairleigh Dickinson University and Madison High School and is a consultant shoulder and elbow surgeon at Kean University.

Dr. Black has published extensively in his field, authoring dozens of articles in the peer-reviewed literature. Some of his work has been published in the most sought-after journals in the field, such as Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery and the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, among others. He is a consultant reviewer for Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery and the American Journal of Sports Medicine. He has delivered local, regional and national invited presentations on topics in his field, including reverse shoulder replacement, minimally invasive rotator cuff repair, complex upper extremity fractures and value-driven shoulder surgery.

Dr. Black is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the American Medical Association and the Mid-Atlantic Shoulder and Elbow Society. A recipient of the Harvard College Scholarship, he has been honored with the William H. Thomas Award for overall best orthopedic resident at the end of his residency. Dr. Black has previously been nominated for the Charles S. Neer Award, the highest honor for research in shoulder and elbow surgery.

A native of Morris County, Dr. Black is pleased to bring his expertise to area residents. When he is not working with his patients, he enjoys swimming, playing tennis with his wife and spending time with his daughter and son.