CENTER TWP — Many people have a job they like, but are not passionate about. Some people, on the other hand, are simply in love with their careers.

Dr. Thomas Muzzonigro, with Tri-Rivers Surgical Associates, is one of those people.

“It's just an awesome job, I don't think you can have a better job,” Muzzonigro said. “The best part of the job is that you really change people's lives for the better and not many people can say that.”

Muzzonigro, who likes to be called “Muzzy,” specializes in orthopedic surgery, particularly knee replacement. He said he sees anything from bumps and bruises to sprains and strains.

To get to that position, he went to school for more than 15 years.

He graduated from Union College in upstate New York for his undergraduate degree in 1988, and then did research at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego and UCLA. He graduated from medical school at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y., in 1995.

Finally, he completed his internship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 2001.

In addition to Tri-Rivers, he also works at Butler Health System, where he has been a member of several boards.

“We do remarkable things up here in Butler that most people don't know about,” Muzzonigro said.

“There are very few hospitals that can match what they're doing, working together toward outstanding patient care.”

He also enjoys working in Butler County.

“I love working in Butler. It has a great sense of community,” Muzzonigro said.

He works two days a week at Butler Health System, 10 to 12 hours per day, and three days a week at Tri-Rivers, 9 to 10 hours per day.

“It can be hard,” Muzzonigro said of his schedule.

However, he credits the staff members at both locations for helping him.

“That being said, the team ... they really help get me around,” he said.

Muzzonigro enjoys the fact that he is changing patients lives.

“It's a rewarding job from the point of view that you're helping patients,” Muzzonigro said.

He also enjoys that many of them send gifts in return. He gets a lot of thank you letters and pictures, but he also gets books and homemade wine.

In addition to his main job, he also is a team physician for the Mars School District and the Pine-Richland School District.

He enjoys the high energy of the student-athletes.

“I always joke it keeps you young,” Muzzonigro said.

He said he has seen a few scary injuries on the field, but nothing too serious.

“But, fortunately, kids are resilient and kids will heal and get back,” Muzzonigro said.

Although he has a busy work schedule, he has many activities.

His work with athletics carries over to his family, which is very active.

Both of his daughters play volleyball, with Cassie at Providence College and Hanna having a verbal commitment to play at Notre Dame. His son, T.J., plays football for Pine-Richland.

Muzzonigro himself likes to play basketball and work out in his spare time.

He and his family also enjoy skiing, usually at Seven Springs, but once a year they go out west to the Rocky Mountains.

“The neat thing there is that the mountains are just so gigantic,” Muzzonigro said.

He also enjoys playing poker, golfing, running with his two dogs and reading.

Muzzonigro also is a spectator of sports, enjoying University of Pittsburgh football and basketball, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Steelers and the Pirates, whom he has a special connection to.

Muzzonigro worked with Pirates second baseman Neil Walker when he was a student at Pine-Richland High School.

“He's a good kid, a great community kid,” Muzzonigro said.

He and his family spent time with Walker's family this past New Year's Eve.

He also threw out the first pitch at PNC Park on April 17, 2006, his 40th birthday.

To balance all of the athletic activities, Muzzonigro occasionally cooks.

“I don't do it as much as I would like to,” Muzzonigro said.

His family is extremely important to him.

Two of his children want to become doctors. He said it is a path that can be difficult, but he is encouraging them.

“It's a long run, but I think it's worthwhile.”

<B>Name: </B>Dr. Thomas Muzzonigro<B>Age:</B> 44<B>Address: </B>Gibsonia<B>Family: </B>Wife, Debbie; children, Cassie, 19, Hanna, 17, T.J., 15<B>Employment: </B>Orthopedic surgeon, Tri-Rivers Surgical Associates<B>Education:</B> Union College, undergraduate 1988; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, medical school 1995<B>Interests: </B>Athletics, spending time with family<B>Quote:</B> “The best part of the job is that you really change people’s lives for the better and not many people can say that.”