Meet Dr. Piazza
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon | Spine Specialist | Spine Fellowship Trained
From an early age, medicine—particularly orthopedics—was never far from Dr. Michael Piazza’s life. Growing up, he was surrounded by doctors through his father’s work as a custom builder, and many members of his family struggled with orthopedic spine conditions. Witnessing firsthand how spinal issues impacted mobility, independence, and overall quality of life left a lasting impression.
“It felt natural for me to look into orthopedics,” Dr. Piazza shares. “I saw how much these problems affected people, and I wanted to be part of helping them.”
A Strong Foundation in Orthopedic Excellence
Dr. Piazza earned his medical degree from Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He then completed his orthopedic residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he continued his advanced training with a spine fellowship.
His career ultimately brought him to Clearwater, Florida in 1989—a move inspired by more than professional opportunity.
Finding Home on Florida’s Gulf Coast
As a child, Dr. Piazza vacationed along the beaches of Rhode Island and New Jersey—but the cold Atlantic waters never won him over. Everything changed when he visited Florida’s Gulf Coast as a teenager.
“I walked into the Gulf of Mexico and said, ‘I want to live here forever!’”
Life took a few turns—marriage, children, and career decisions—but the dream endured. With his wife equally enthusiastic about relocating, they searched for the right opportunity and eventually made Clearwater home. For the past 36 years, Dr. Piazza has been part of the local medical community and a longtime friend of Dr. David and Jeannie Shapiro. Over the years, he had heard many positive things about the Clearwater Free Clinic.
A Purposeful Return to Medicine
After retiring two years ago, Dr. Piazza faced a decision: renew his medical license and continue his education requirements—or fully step away from practice. Exploring temporary opportunities led him to a meaningful solution close to home: volunteering at the Clearwater Free Clinic.
“This allows me to continue interacting with patients and helping them,” he says. “I’m not doing surgery, but I still use all the clinical decision-making skills in treating orthopedic problems. It’s good for me—and good for the patients.”
Volunteering at the clinic offers something unique. Without the pressures of insurance paperwork or high-volume scheduling, Dr. Piazza can focus fully on patient care.
“There’s no rush here. I can sit back, communicate clearly, and make sure patients truly understand their condition and treatment options.”
Serving a Different Patient Population
One of the biggest surprises for Dr. Piazza has been the clinic’s patient demographic. Unlike his former private practice—where a majority of patients were Medicare-aged—the Clearwater Free Clinic serves primarily working adults who lack access to health insurance.
“These are people in our community—people you see every day—who simply don’t have coverage,” he explains. “It’s reassuring to know they have somewhere to go for care.”
He recently recognized a patient he had seen over the years working at a local business. “It’s nice to know they have a place to receive healthcare when they need it.”
Though he hasn’t been at the clinic long enough to fully define his experience, one thing stands out clearly: gratitude.
“The patients are very, very appreciative that someone is taking the time to think through their problems and provide answers.”
Life Beyond the Clinic
Retirement hasn’t slowed Dr. Piazza down. When he’s not volunteering, he enjoys fishing—both inshore and offshore. With his boat, he regularly fishes for snook, redfish, and trout, and makes trips to the Florida Keys for deeper-water adventures.
“There’s always something pulling me in different directions,” he says with a smile.
But staying engaged at the clinic provides something equally important.
“It keeps my brain from gelling,” he jokes. “It gives me a reason to keep reading the literature and staying sharp.”
A Win for the Community—and for Him
For Dr. Piazza, volunteering at the Clearwater Free Clinic is more than a way to give back. It’s a mutually beneficial partnership.
The clinic gains a highly trained, experienced orthopedic spine specialist. The community gains access to quality care. And Dr. Piazza gains continued purpose, connection, and intellectual engagement—without the stressors of private practice.
“It’s very low stress. I never have to deal with an insurance company,” he says. “Some of the things that make private practice challenging just aren’t part of what we do here.”
And in the end, that makes all the difference.