✈️ Meet Dr. Stephen Plachta, Pediatric Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, and an adventurer both inside and outside the OR. When he’s not performing life-changing spine surgeries that help children and adults stand taller, you’ll likely find him exploring remote trails in Nepal, Patagonia, or the Alps, hiking, skiing, or soaking in the kind of views that remind him of why perspective matters most. Those same lessons from adventure travel, balance, patience, and curiosity, guide his approach to caring for every patient and family. Dr. Plachta speaks three languages (English, Polish, and Spanish), enjoys endurance sports, and has a lifelong love of architecture and art, passions that influence his eye for surgical precision and creativity. He’s also known for finding humor in almost any situation (even in the OR), mentoring young physicians, and supporting global outreach efforts to improve access to pediatric spine care in underserved regions. His go-to recharge? A strong espresso, a biscotti (or donut), and the occasional spontaneous weekend trip. What always makes him smile? The humor and resilience of his patients, and a few good dad jokes. Dr. Plachta lives by a simple philosophy: lead with curiosity, act with compassion, and never stop learning. Whether he’s on a mountain or in the hospital, he believes true adventure comes from making a difference, one step, one smile, one spine at a time. #JoeDiMaggioChildrensHospital #PediatricOrthopedics #SpineSurgery #MeetOurDoctors #AdventureMedicine #HealthcareHeroes #FightTheUnFair