| Phone Number | Clinical Office Address |
|---|---|
| (801) 587-7109 | Primary Children's Hospital 100 N Mario Capecchi Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84113 |
| (801) 587-7109 |
Specialties
Bio
Dr. Thomas Higgins is an Associate Professor with Tenure at the University of Utah, Department of Orthopaedics. His medical degree was completed at Brown University, School of Medicine. His orthopaedic training was at Yale University, and post-graduate fellowship at the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He has been on the faculty at University of Utah since 2000.
Dr. Higgins clinical expertise is in the treatment of complex intra-articular injuries, pelvic and acetabular trauma, and musculoskeletal care in the setting of polytrauma. His elective practice focuses on the deformity correction, malunions, and nonunions.
The author of over twenty peer-reviewed publications and multiple book chapters, Dr. Higgins main area of research interest clinically has been plateau fractures. In basic science, Dr. Higgins has explored the roles of IGF-1 and intra-articular inflammatory markers in post-traumatic arthritis, the effects of opiates on bone healing, and the structure of heterotopic ossification. He has been primary investigator or co-investigator on four OTA grants, two AO grants, and an OREF grant. His most recent research has focused on the genetics of trauma and the use of opiate analgesics in the trauma setting.
In the educational sphere, Dr. Higgins is recognized nationally for his research and presentations of tibial plateau fractures. He has been active with orthopaedic education with AO North America, chairing two courses, and teaching at over thirty. Previously a member of the OTA Education Committee, he has also chaired multiple resident courses for the OTA. He has received the annual teaching award twice at the University of Utah.
He currently serves on the OTA Board of Directors, and is the Program Chair for the OTA Annual Meeting. In 2009, Dr. Higgins served as the OTA/AAOS Landstuhl Visiting Scholar, and has been visiting professor at multiple universities.
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Orthopaedics - Professor |
| Board Certification | American Board of Orthopedic Surgery |
Patient Ratings
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
UofU Patient August 13, 2016
I need more from provider.
UofU Patient July 31, 2016loved the dr
UofU Patient July 25, 2016I feel lucky to be dealing with Dr. Higgins and his staff.
UofU Patient July 24, 2016The Resident (Lucas), the Med Student (Andrew), and Doctor Higgins were all PERFECT in every way.
UofU Patient July 17, 2016Best doctor I ever had!
UofU Patient July 16, 2016I would definitely recommend Doctor Higgins to friends and family. I felt he was very good and experienced at what he does. Total confidence in his care.
UofU Patient July 12, 2016I;m a nurse so we didn't have a problem communicating
UofU Patient June 30, 2016Dr Higgins was very concerned with my husband problems. And tried to read ur us that he could probably help him
UofU Patient June 26, 2016Superb Doctor.
UofU Patient May 22, 2016very professional, friendly, knowledgable and caring
UofU Patient April 12, 2016good
UofU Patient March 22, 2016My confidence in Dr. Higgins was absolute. I feel that he did the best job that could be done with this break.
UofU Patient March 20, 2016Dr Higgins, Dr. Elliot, and the other residents were friendly and courteous. They offered knowledgeable information and answered any questions.
UofU Patient March 18, 2016He was very busy that day but he still treated me like only patient there
UofU Patient February 29, 2016Dr. Higgins is top notch, a true professional.
UofU Patient February 20, 2016Dr Higgans could not have done a better job in informing me and my son. I feel very confident in him.
UofU Patient February 07, 2016Not much time with care provider needed.
UofU Patient January 29, 2016It is always a pleasure to see Dr. Higgins even if it means you have injured yourself.
UofU Patient January 23, 2016I received great care and have great confidence in Dr. Higgins
UofU Patient January 14, 2016Dr. Higgins is a genus Doctor.
UofU Patient November 22, 2015Dr. Higgins explained our options and supported our decision. He brought in his assistant, Scott, to schedule the surgery and explained the wait time and how things would proceed.
UofU Patient October 03, 2015Dr. Higgins is excellent in all ways.
UofU Patient September 10, 2015I felt as he was in a hurry and didn't want to answer my questions.
UofU Patient September 04, 2015Dr. Higgins is a rock. I really appreciate his straight-forward approach to dealing with health issues. He has always impressed me. I know that when I come to visit him with a health issue I will be leaving with a clear understanding of what the next step in treatment will be, if any.
UofU Patient August 23, 2015Dr. Higgins is professional, polite and to-the-point which lends itself to my understanding that he takes my injury and my care very seriously. I appreciate this in a care provider. I did manage to make him crack a smile though. :)
UofU Patient August 20, 2015The only thing that bothered me about the doctor is he always greets my husband first, instead of me as the actual patient.
UofU Patient August 09, 2015Dr. Higgins is the epitome of best medical care. He is not only extremely skilled with his surgical talent but his warmth and understanding of patient needs are way beyond any reproach. He sets the bar very high for best practices with his example.
UofU Patient April 05, 2015Dr. Higgins was very honest and direct in his approach. I appreciate that!! He was thorough and seemed to understand my concerns.
UofU Patient March 28, 2015Dr. Higgins is fantastic and I have complete confidence in him!
UofU Patient March 21, 2015I always will recommend your service. You are the best.
UofU Patient February 23, 2015I hope I never have a need to see anyone again, but if I do or my spouse does, I would not think twice about asking for Dr. Higgins.
UofU Patient February 22, 2015good
UofU Patient February 20, 2015I love the staff and I think Dr. Higgins is such a great doctor and he is easy to talk with and helps me understand what is going on in my healing and he listens and answers my questions with compassion and caring. I am in GREAT hands with this TEAM! Thank you all
UofU Patient February 16, 2015Dr. Higgins has a lot of compassion and is an excellent doctor!
UofU Patient February 16, 2015Very straight forward and thorough
UofU Patient February 09, 2015great doctor and staff
UofU Patient December 13, 2014He is amazing!
UofU Patient December 12, 2014Dr Higgins used his computer access to the x-ray to show us the healing process and what to expect.
UofU Patient September 20, 2014Dr. Higgins is great at what he does
UofU Patient September 08, 2014Dr. Higgins is very black and white. I really appreciated that about him.
UofU Patient August 17, 2014Dr. T. Higgings is the best. I recommend him to every one
UofU Patient July 31, 2014EXCELLENT SERVICE
UofU Patient July 12, 2014GREAT DOCTOR
UofU Patient June 12, 2014I cannot s ay enough good things about Dr. Higgins care for me
UofU Patient May 25, 2014I am grateful to have such excellent care.
UofU Patient May 25, 2014On what happened on my last visit was explained and I understand why so I really have no problems.
UofU Patient May 12, 2014Very caring, genuine, professional and down to earth making a undisreable event the best it can be !
UofU Patient May 11, 2014last experience was much better than the previous visit. x-rays were taken quickly, med student came in exam room quickly thereafter, talked to us about the results and then Dr. Higgins came in and spent a reasonable good time with us. This time we felt that our needs were truly met and that we mattered not only as patients but human beings.
UofU Patient May 01, 2014Thank you kindly!
UofU Patient April 10, 2014good
UofU Patient March 17, 2014Dr. Higgins and his staff do a great job.
UofU Patient February 23, 2014From Higgins (my surgeon, come monday) to the surgical coordinator (lindsley) everyone was very caring to not only my personal lifestyle but to my medical care preferences. I'm also a smoker, which when it comes to bone healing is quite detrimental. I was not lectured with a "smoking is bad. stop" worthless speech. I was spoken to with science and evidence and research backing up such claims, PLUS sympathy that yes, it's an addiction, it's not easy to give up. I really appreciated the respect and sympathy and tough love, from EVERYONE I encountered!
UofU Patient February 15, 2014good
UofU Patient February 15, 2014Dr. Higgins has exceeded my expectations as a provider. I feel so fortunate to have him as my specialist. He is knowledgeable and professional, but with a personal bedside manner. I would recommend him to my closest family and friends.
UofU Patient February 03, 2014I really like how Dr Higgins gives me parameters regarding what I need to watch for in monitoring my L femur (Fosamax related problems) so that I know when to get back with him, and understand what I can do to minimize damage over time.
UofU Patient December 16, 2013Dr. Higgins is a great doctor. He is friendly and shows concern for my condition. I would recommend him to anyone.
UofU Patient December 16, 2013I like how Dr Higgins will go over information, until he know I understand. he gives me parameters to help me take care of my bone health, which is so important to me.
UofU Patient November 04, 2013I was so impressed with every single person that helped me. From the ER visit to the x-ray tech, to the nurses, to my surgeon...I loved everyone!!!
UofU Patient October 14, 2013Never had a bad experience. Dr. Higgins is the best!!!
UofU Patient October 09, 2013Dr. Higgins is an excellent Physician. He is very respectful, knowledgeable and always makes you feel like he really cares about your medical care. Extremely pleased with him.
UofU Patient October 08, 2013Everything was excellent except we were not educated on the infusion system which was of a type new to us.
UofU Patient October 07, 2013Dr. Higgins and his staff were great! Explanations were clear, concerns were resolved.
UofU Patient September 23, 2013good
UofU Patient September 07, 2013He is seeing someone that I recommended go to this clinic.
UofU Patient September 03, 2013it always amazed me that Dr. Higgins remembered that I lived 3 hours away and worked around this. He is great.
UofU Patient August 29, 2013Dr. Higgins kindly followed up with me later in the day to provide the name of a provider in the city to which I am moving.
UofU Patient August 26, 2013extremely impressed with Dr. Higgins. trusted him from the moment I met him in the e.r. I felt completely confident after our consultation and I am grateful to him for being my surgeon.
UofU Patient August 12, 2013I know drs. are busy, but he seemed in such a rush I wasn't real comfortable with that!
UofU Patient August 07, 2013When I asked a question the doctor stopped and listen and the responded. I felt like he listened to my concern.
UofU Patient July 09, 2013I already have recommended him.
UofU Patient June 27, 2013I could not be happier about my interactions with Dr. Higgins. He is a knowledgable provider who is an excellent communicator. He takes considerable effort to incorporate me into the decision making process. The housestaff should however be reminded to introduce themselves and explain their roles.
UofU Patient May 08, 2013When we brought my daughter in, she had a condition that required immediate surgury. Dr. Higgins made a great effort on our behalf to avoid an emergency room visit. We waited while he made phone calls to pcmc to get everything arranged for us. It took almost an hour, but we were kept informed by dr. Higgins as he stepped in to talk to us (between patients I am sure) and let us know what calls he had made and the timeline we were looking at. It was a very good experience, even though it was unexpected.
UofU Patient April 30, 2013Great surgeon. Very kind and informative.
UofU Patient April 29, 2013Doctor acted like he didn't believe me when I told him the extent of the problems I have been experiencing
UofU Patient February 14, 2013Appreciated Dr. Higgins using a model pelvis to explain my fractures.
UofU Patient January 28, 2013Dr Higgins has provided me excellent care and access to him during my ordeal
UofU Patient January 27, 2013Very informative second opinion. Dr. Higgins detailed the treatment I was receiving with explanations and possible prognosis in a very understandable way. Great visit.
UofU Patient January 14, 2013dr higgins has always been comsistently outstanding when it comes to explaining the situation and what needs to be done. he always shows the greatest compassion and concern for your situation
UofU Patient December 26, 2012Dr. Higgins Rocks!
UofU Patient December 03, 2012Dr. Higgins was great- just seemed a bit rushed, which is to be expected in a quick follow up. However, any questions I have after the fact I know I can have answered if I were to call or email. The only confusion ever came with how I should proceed with future visits/appointments/etc, but was cleared up after a phone call to the clinic.
UofU Patient October 15, 2012Dr. Higgings was AMAZING! Caring, thoughtful, engaging. When I called in with a question to the practice, I figured it would be a few days before I heard from a PA or Resident. Instead, Dr. Higgins called me back within minutes. I am so incredibly thankful to have found him for my daughter.
UofU Patient October 01, 2012As I mentioned, the caregivers are excellent and we have the utmost confidence in the care given at your facility.
UofU Patient September 03, 2012I've been dealing with a non-union of a fractured femur since 11/1/10. Dr. Higgins efforts are finally beginning to show some results and the leg is making new bone. Dr. Higgins rocks!
UofU Patient August 28, 2012Thanks for the excellent care and concern.
UofU Patient August 27, 2012Dr. Higgins is very professional and cares for his patients.
UofU Patient August 17, 2012Dr. Higgins has all the "Right Stuff". He lives "It's about the People" and as a patient you feel it. He is very professional, knowledgeable, and concerned. I would recommend him to anyone. I am very grateful to have had him as my care provider. I have great confidence in him. I cannot say enough! Thank You.
UofU Patient June 30, 2012Had another complaint that we wrote on the form and the assistant talked to us about, but the Dr. didn't follow-up on or address at all.
UofU Patient March 07, 2012Good.
UofU Patient March 07, 2012Dr. Higgins is exceptional. Having been to several other orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Higgins shows a level of care and LISTENING and RESPECT that I have not seen from other orthos. The U of U Ortho center is lucky to have Dr. Higgins on staff. He gives greater credibility to the whole organization. I did a lot of research trying to find the very best orthopedic trauma surgeon in the state--I have no doubt that Dr. Higgins is (without exception) the very best.
UofU Patient February 01, 2012I live in NY, but because of the quality of physicians and care at the U of U, I have continued to use this facility for follow up care.
UofU Patient January 11, 2012The Best
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.