Dr. David Hubbell has spent the last 37 years caring for patients through the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. If you’ve had the privilege of being treated by him, you know his compassion and clinical expertise rival even his impeccable taste in music, and that’s saying something.
This year, Dr. Hubbell was named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, a peer nominated and thoroughly vetted distinction recognizing physicians who demonstrate excellence in clinical care, education, and professional reputation. After nearly four decades in practice, we asked Dr. Hubbell to share what this recognition means to him, and the values that continue to guide his approach to patient care.
Q: You were recently named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor. What does that recognition mean to you personally and professionally, and how does it reflect your approach to patient care?
A: It’s a great honor and very personally satisfying to be selected. It’s special to me as well because the voters are all doctors who can refer their patients to anyone in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.
Q: What qualities do you believe matter most in delivering excellent rehabilitation care?
A: It is the doctor’s responsibility to create an environment in which the patient knows they are being heard. The patient needs to understand their diagnosis, why the doctor is recommending a certain treatment, and what the expected outcome is. Then, patience is necessary by both doctor and patient, as often, adjustments to the rehab program need to be made over time. These modifications are made through receiving feedback from the patient, their family members, and the therapists that are providing treatment. I was able to greatly improve my listening skills through Stephen Ministry training at my local church. I had to be taught better listening skills, and my wife would say the results are still mixed!
Q: PM&R is often described as a “whole-person” specialty. What does that look like in practice when you’re caring for a patient?
A: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation doctors are trained to look at a patient holistically, not just as an injured body part. Certainly every patient comes in with a physical complaint, but there can also be emotional and spiritual effects from the symptoms that can impact a patient at home and at work that need to be addressed. The approach is not just about a short term fix to the problem, but lasting changes that can be made to prevent recurrent issues.
Q: How do you decide the right balance between physical therapy, procedures, medications, and other non-surgical treatments for each individual? What does your collaboration process look like with other physicians and care teams to ensure patients receive coordinated, high-quality care?
A: PM&R clearly is a nonoperative approach to the patient’s concerns, and the patient needs to be the first collaborator in the process. Communication is vital, as different patients have different needs and timetables for recovery. One patient may need to get back to work as quickly as possible for financial reasons, and therefore we would be a little bit more aggressive in our approach, and consider injection options earlier in the treatment plan. Other patients may wish to see how they respond to PT or meds first. The plan has to be individualized for every patient.
Q: Patients may come to you after trying multiple treatments without success. How do you approach patients who feel frustrated or stuck?
A: Everything starts with the correct diagnosis. Unfortunately, many patients come to see us that have never had an accurate diagnosis or proper in-depth testing, and so it’s not totally unpredictable that the generic treatments they previously received weren’t helpful. Also, sometimes we have to try to shift the recovery focus to regaining long-term function more than just short-term pain relief. Patients are often pleasantly surprised to see that once they are able to move more freely and advance their conditioning level, that the pain they’ve been experiencing is significantly reduced. It’s not just about giving someone a pill to momentarily try to take their pain away.
Q: What encouragement or advice would you give to someone living with chronic pain or functional limitations who feels discouraged?
A: Sometimes patients with pain issues, particularly older patients, get written off because they have “arthritis” or other health issues and their quality of life issues get lost in the mix. I tell patients not to look for one magic cure. Often, it’s better if the PM&R doctor can help the patient find 5 small things that each help improve quality of life 10-15%. If you add all the small changes up, before you know it they’re 50-75% better! It may take some time to sift through all the issues to find those helpful changes, such as improving sleep, but it’s so rewarding in the end!
Decades into his career, Dr. Hubbell continues to model a philosophy of care rooted in attentiveness, individualized treatment, and deep respect for those he serves. His 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor recognition affirms what many have long experienced firsthand—that excellence in medicine is not only about expertise, but how people are treated along the way.
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Hubbell or schedule an appointment, our team at Georgia Bone & Joint Surgeons is here to help. Contact us today to get started.
