School of Medicine
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Congratulations to UPMC Sports Medicine on hosting an outstanding Freddie Fu Panther Sports Medicine Symposium!

The planning committee, led by Chief of Sports Medicine Dr. Volker Musahl, put together a phenomenal program that brought experts from 17 countries to UPMC for evidence-based discussions on the treatment of knee injuries and return to sports.

During Wednesday night’s opening reception, the symposium was renamed after its founder, Dr. Freddie Fu, who hosted the first symposium in 1988.

Three-days of presentations, demos, lectures, and panel discussions for the nearly 150 in attendance followed, along with plenty of time for fellowship and idea sharing.

We thank everyone for making the journey to mark this special event with us. We are also grateful to our organizing committee, the course chairs and all of our conference supporters.

We hope to see you all again soon in Pittsburgh for another Freddie Fu Panther Sports Medicine Symposium!

Visit our Facebook page to view more photos from the event.

We are proud to announce our inclusion on the Castle Connolly Top Doctors list for 2024. Many of our PittOrtho and UPMC members in hand surgery, orthopaedics and sports medicine are included.

The Castle Connolly Top Doctors® selection process is entirely merit-based. Doctors cannot pay to be listed. Castle Connolly’s peer-to-peer nominations and rigorous research process ensure only the most qualified physicians are included. Our PittOrtho and UPMC members are part of more than 400 UPMC physicians to be recognized as 2024 "Top Doctors".

Check out the complete list here.

The 2024 Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Graduation Ceremony was held on Friday, June 21, 2024, at the historic Duquesne Club in Downtown Pittsburgh.  The evening’s celebration began with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony in the Main Dining Room. This year’s graduation ceremony was well attended by the graduating residents and their families along with Department clinical faculty and residents.

The Outstanding Senior Resident Award was presented to Benjamin Rothrauff, MD, PhD. Each year, the Outstanding Senior Resident is voted on by faculty, clinical residents, and fellows.

The graduating residents presented The Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence to Albert Lin, MD.  The Golden Apple is awarded for the most outstanding contribution to Resident Education in Orthopaedic Surgery and is selected by the graduating class of Orthopaedic Surgery Residents.

2024 Graduating Residents:

Joshua Adjei, MD
Jonathan Dalton, Jr, MD
Michael Fox, MD
Benjamin Rothrauff, MD, PhD
Rebekah Belayneh, MD
Brandon Couch, MD
Christopher Gibbs, MD
Dukens LaBaze, MD

Congratulations to all!

Click here for additional photos from the event. 

On Friday, June 21, 2024, University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Joan Gabel hosted a private reception and dinner to induct new members into the Cathedral of Learning Society. The Society recognizes donors who have given or pledged more than $1 million to the University.  The induction into the Cathedral of Learning Society is among the highest honor the University bestows. Mr. Orland Bethel and his wife, Dolly, were among the honored guests whose remarkable leadership and support inspire others to recognize the power of knowledge.

It was Mr. Orland Bethel’s generous gift that created the Orland Bethel Family Musculoskeletal Research Center to attract and retain talented scientists here at Pitt, advancing breakthroughs in orthopaedic and musculoskeletal research. We are eternally grateful to Mr. Bethel and his family for their transformative gift.

In partnership with Mardyke Arena University College Cork (UCC), UPMC Sports Medicine Clinic, Mardyke Arena, UCC opened its doors to patients this week, expanding UPMC’s multinational sports medicine and orthopaedic care network.

The new UPMC Sports Medicine Clinic joins UPMC Ireland’s nationwide network of hospitals and centers, including UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny, UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre locations in Cork and Waterford and an outpatient center in Carlow. UPMC is also the official health care partner to the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).

These locations allow UPMC to serve athletes of all ages, from youth to professionals. The new clinic will also provide care for people of all ages with a variety of conditions, including total joint replacement rehabilitation and support

At the recent ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Spring Meeting in Amelia Island, FL, Dr. Jeanne Doperak was recognized with the ACC Exemplary Service Award, presented annually to one person who has made a significant impact on the conference. The award was presented by Commissioner Phillips and Sheila Velez Martinez, the chair of the Faculty Athletic Representatives (FAR) committee for the ACC.

Dr. Doperak was honored for her exceptional work in creating and building the Health and Safety Advisory Working Group, which culminated in the annual Health and Safety summit held in Charlotte, NC on May 9 and 10. The summit saw an impressive turnout, with over 150 attendees from all conference schools, including new members Cal, Stanford, and SMU.

Dr. Doperak will also be honored by the University of Pittsburgh with an on-field presentation at a football game this fall.