Vote Today For UPMC in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospitals"
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As you know, at UPMC we are committed to providing exceptional patient care, training the next generation of physicians, and driving medical advancements through groundbreaking research. We invite you to explore our Year in Review, which highlights some of our recent research and clinical advancements in 2024.
As we continue this important work, we would be grateful for your support in recognizing UPMC’s excellence in orthopaedic surgery by participating in the annual U.S. News “Best Hospitals” physician survey on Doximity and nominating our flagship hospital, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside. Your vote helps highlight the dedication and expertise of our faculty and staff.
Log in to Doximity and vote today.
Thank you for your continued support!
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2025 Freddie Fu Leadership Award for High School Community Service
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The Department of Orthopaedics is pleased to announce this year's Freddie Fu Leadership Award for High School Community Service awardees, graciously funded by Jim Grant, CEO of Elizur.
Presented annually, the Freddie Fu Leadership Award is given to top performing residents who show a special affinity for their local high school sports group. Nominees will need to show dedication to their high school community, go above and beyond in patient care and display an admirable work ethic. Nominations will come from the school’s athletic trainers or peers and other staff at the school. Award recipients will receive a certificate and a monetary award.
This year's awardees are as follows:
Emily Lau
Zino Kuhn
Zach Herman
Gabe Brandner
Gabrielle Fatora
Kevin Byrne
Chu Onyeukwu
Bill Li
This award highlights Dr. Fu’s dedication to patient care and his willingness to always do something more. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to Elizur for their generosity.
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New Research Collaboration with Dr. Fabio Catani, Chief Of Orthopaedic and Traumatology at University of Modena and Reggio-Emilia, Italy
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC International are pleased to announce a new international research collaboration with Dr. Fabio Catani, Chief of the Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department at the University of Modena and Reggio-Emilia in Modena, Italy.
Dr. Catani will serve as an adjunct Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in the department, strengthening the collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh and Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia. Dr. Catani's work will be a catalyst for development of clinical and research programs to position UPMC Salvator Mundi International Hospital as a destination for evidence-based orthopaedic care in Rome.
Dr. Catani is known for his expertise in adult reconstruction of the hip, knee, and ankle joints, sports medicine, and computer- and robotic-assisted surgery in joint replacement.
This collaboration will focus on addressing a critical unmet need in the field of knee replacement: soft tissue balancing. Dr. Catani's interest in robotics and advanced surgical techniques aligns seamlessly with the ongoing work in our department's Biomechanics and BDL laboratories. Together, the teams will investigate how soft tissues, particularly the patella, heal and behave after knee surgery, with the ultimate goal of improving surgical outcomes and patient recovery.
"I came to the University of Pittsburgh because I cannot do research like this in Italy," said Dr. Catani. "The expertise in robotics and biomechanics here is unparalleled. I am excited to see how our work can contribute to advancements in this area."
We look forward to the advancements that will come from this partnership and the positive impact it will have on the future of orthopaedic care.
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UPMC - PITT Orthopaedic Care Shines at ORS Annual Meeting
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The 2025 Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting was a great success for our department, with significant contributions from our various labs, including BMRC core labs. Our UPMC-PITT team presented 55 abstracts in total, including 11 podium presentations and 39 research posters, highlighting the depth and breadth of our ongoing work in musculoskeletal research and innovation.
A key highlight of the meeting was the BMRC’s recognition of its inaugural class of Bethel Fellows during the ORS Award Recipient session on Sunday, February 9. Thank you to ORS for their continued partnership in supporting the BMRC/ORS Fellowship grants.
Dr. Kurt Weiss served as co-director of the 2025 Art of Grant Writing course, providing valuable insights to attendees looking to secure research funding.
Beyond the presentations and awards, we were grateful for the opportunity to connect with colleagues, peers, and fellow scientists from around the world.
Applications for the 2026 cohort of Bethel Fellows are now open. Letters of Intent (LOIs) are due by April 1. Interested applicants can apply here: https://www.bethel.pitt.edu/fellowships/.
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In-patient Fracture Liaison Service Collaboration Between Orthopaedic Surgery and Endocrinology
Osteoporotic fractures pose a significant health risk, particularly among older adults. After the first fracture, the likelihood of a second fracture increases substantially.
To mitigate these risks, Gele Moloney, MD, an orthopaedic trauma specialist with our UPMC Sports Medicine team, co-created an in-patient Fracture Liaison Service at UPMC Mercy, which aims to address the gap in osteoporosis care.
Learn more about the Service on the Physican Resource's website here.
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Healthy Aging: Vanscoy Winter Academy 2025
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Drs. MaCalus V. Hogan and Joon Y. Lee were invited guests to this year’s Vanscoy Winter Academy, held by the University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences. The annual event hosts speakers that present breakthrough findings on a multitude of topics, including cancer, vaccines, mental health issues and opioid use.
This year’s topic was “Healthy Aging: Live Long, Live Well”, with highlights from Dr. Anantha Shekhar, Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences and John and Gertrude Petersen Dean, School of Medicine and Joan Gabel, Chancellor.
Mr. Orland Bethel also delivered remarks about his namesake center and the research being conducted to ensure future generations age well and live better.
Click here for a short video intro on Mr. Orland Bethel and the Bethel Orthopaedic BioBank.
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Meet Our Residents: Zachary Herman
Name: Zachary Herman
Year: PGY4
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in orthopaedics, and what do you enjoy most about the specialty? Are you currently drawn to a sub-specialty (research, spine, hand/foot, sports medicine etc.)
My inspiration to pursue a career in orthopaedics first began with an aspiration to operate. After deciding on a surgical career in medical school, I was naturally drawn to the field of orthopaedics because of my interest in the musculoskeletal system and the wide variety of procedures the field affords us the opportunity to perform.
Oftentimes, orthopaedic patients present with complaints that are limiting their ability to functionally perform at the level in which they would like or previously could. I was motivated by the fact that I could help patients improve their functionality and activity level, whether it was getting them to back to athletic participation or as simple as alleviating their pain so they could sit on the floor to play with their grandchildren. Now, as a fourth-year resident, I have decided to further pursue a subspecialized career in academic orthopaedic sports medicine where I work clinically in the operating room and office setting and also educate future surgeons and performing clinical and biomechanical research.
2. What’s been the most memorable or rewarding experience during your residency so far?
Overall, growing in comfortability clinically and operatively over the past 4 years has probably been most meaningful for me. Reflecting on my progress as a surgeon and the growth I’ve made with the help of my co-residents and faculty has been rewarding.
3. How do you see orthopaedics evolving in the future, and what excites you about those changes?
I think orthopedics will continue to evolve and become individualized, not only with surgical techniques but specific implants. From robotic knee and hip arthroplasty to virtual reality augmentations with shoulder arthroplasty and hip arthroscopy. orthopedic procedures continue to become more individualized and optimized to improve patient outcomes. It’s exciting to see how these new technologies will shape my career and what will become more commonplace and accessible in daily practice when I begin my own practice.
4. What do you like most about being a part of PITT-UPMC Orthopaedic Care?
As a native to southwestern Pennsylvania, the region, its culture, and population are very important to me. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to serve the community where I’ve grown up. In addition to its proximity to home, the orthopaedic department at UPMC and our residency program offers a complete learning experience as a surgeon in training.
From pediatrics to oncology to research opportunities, I believe our experience in orthopaedic surgical training here is as comprehensive as can be. I am confident that I will be given the best possible opportunity to achieve my maximum potential as an orthopaedic surgeon while training at UPMC- and that is something for which I am very thankful.
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Deadline Approaching - Join Us for An Evening Reception at AAOS
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Please join UPMC and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres during the AAOS annual meeting
in San Diego.
Click here to register today - deadline is March 4, 2025!
HOSTED BY:
MaCalus V. Hogan, MD, MBA
David Silver Professor and Chairman
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Jack D. Smith, MD
Alumni Association Chairman
RECEPTION DETAILS:
Date: March 12, 2025
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Marina Kitchen
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
333 West Harbor Drive
San Diego, California 92101
Please RSVP by March 4, 2025.
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