Jason Shah ’12

Jason Shah ’12 has built his career around learning, adapting and helping others. After studying Biology at Emory University and completing his fellowship at Duke University, Jason recently joined Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in primary and revision hip and knee replacement surgery, with advanced expertise in direct anterior hip replacement, muscle-sparing knee replacement and robotic-assisted joint replacement techniques. 

Looking back, Jason recognizes how much of his approach to medicine was shaped at Tower Hill. We’re excited to welcome this Hiller back home as he begins this next chapter of his career serving patients throughout the Delaware community.

Read on to learn how his Tower Hill experience shaped his path and what advice he has for the next generation.

Editor’s Note: This Q&A has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

Tell us a little about where you are now. Describe your current role, field or area of interest.

I am an orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult hip and knee reconstruction, with a particular focus on complex primary and revision joint replacement. I just finished my fellowship at Duke University and have recently moved back to Wilmington!

Share about recent accomplishments. If you have a recent accomplishment you are proud of, what does this achievement mean to you, and what inspired or motivated you along the way?

One of my proudest recent accomplishments has been completing my fellowship! What motivates me most is the opportunity to restore mobility and quality of life for patients while continually advancing my field. Seeing patients return to the activities they love is the most rewarding measure of success and inspires me to keep learning, improving and innovating throughout my career.

Thinking back to your time at Tower Hill, how did your experience here help prepare you for your journey?

My time at Tower Hill provided the foundation for so much of who I am today. While the academics challenged me to think critically and work hard, it was the teachers, mentors and community that had the greatest impact on my growth. They believed in me, encouraged me to pursue my goals and challenged me to become not only a better student but also a better person.

Looking back, I realize that many of the qualities I rely on today as an orthopedic surgeon—discipline, curiosity, resilience and a commitment to serving others—were nurtured during my years at Tower Hill. My teachers took a genuine interest in my success, pushing me to reach my potential while providing the support and guidance I needed along the way.

Perhaps most importantly, Tower Hill taught me the value of lifelong learning and surrounding yourself with people who inspire you to grow. The relationships I built with classmates, faculty and mentors gave me the confidence to pursue a demanding career in medicine and continue striving for excellence every day. I remain grateful for the role Tower Hill played in shaping both my professional path and the person I have become.

What’s one thing you’ve learned along the way that has helped you reach your goals or stay grounded?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that success is rarely achieved alone. While hard work and perseverance are essential, the relationships you build along the way are what truly keep you grounded. My friends have been an incredible source of support through every stage of my journey—from school to medical training and now into practice. They’ve celebrated the successes, helped me navigate the challenges and reminded me to maintain perspective when life became demanding.

Those relationships have taught me the importance of humility, balance and investing in the people around you. No matter how busy life becomes, making time for family and friends is essential. At the end of the day, achievements are far more meaningful when you have people to share them with. That lesson has helped me stay focused on what truly matters and has been just as important to my journey as any academic or professional accomplishment.

What advice would you share with current Tower Hill students, recent graduates or young alumni just starting out?

My advice would be to embrace every opportunity to learn, even if it takes you outside of your comfort zone. The path to your goals is rarely linear, and some of the experiences that seem like detours often end up shaping you the most. Work hard, stay curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek out mentors who challenge and support you.

Equally important: invest in the relationships you build along the way. The friendships you make at Tower Hill and beyond can become some of the most meaningful and enduring parts of your life. Those people will celebrate your successes, help you through setbacks and keep you grounded when life gets busy. Looking back, I realize that the relationships I formed have been just as valuable as any academic achievement.

Finally, remember that success isn’t about comparing yourself to others—it’s about consistently striving to become a better version of yourself. If you stay true to your values, work with integrity and appreciate the people who support you, you’ll build a career and a life that are both fulfilling and meaningful.

We are so proud of Jason and his accomplishments! 

You can also connect with Jason and other fellow Tower Hill alumni by joining our LinkedIn group! Serving as a private directory, you can network with those in your field, explore potential career paths and invite your Tower Hill alumni connections to this group. Help us grow and strengthen our alumni network!

Each month, we’ll feature alumni in this spotlight series shared in The Lookout newsletter and across our social media channels, highlighting the incredible work Tower Hill graduates are doing around the world. If you’d like to be included in an Alumni Spotlight, we invite you to submit this form.