New Ortho Department

Originally Released: October 13, 2000
Contact: Larry Roberts, lroberts@som.umaryland.edu, 410-706-7590
Ellen Beth Levitt, eblevitt@umm.edu, 410-328-8919

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE CREATES NEW DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

The University of Maryland School of Medicine has created a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery to enhance patient care, research, and physician training. The change reflects the University of Maryland's reputation for excellence and innovation in orthopaedic care and recognizes the world-renowned expertise of its orthopaedic surgeons.

"Elevating orthopaedics from a division within Surgery to its own department will improve efficiency and help the University of Maryland continue to recruit and retain the most talented orthopaedic surgeons and researchers," says Donald E. Wilson, M.D., M.A.C.P, Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean, School of Medicine. "This change will benefit our patients and our students."

Orthopaedic specialists on the School of Medicine faculty treat patients throughout the University of Maryland Medical System, which includes the University of Maryland Medical Center, its R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, as well as Kernan Hospital.

"The new department will strengthen orthopaedic care, education, and research," says Stephen C. Schimpff, M.D., chief executive officer of the Medical Center. "We can also expect to see benefits that extend throughout our entire network of care for orthopaedic patients."

In conjunction with the new department, a formal orthopaedic service was created at the Medical Center. Andrew R. Burgess, M.D., professor of orthopaedic surgery, is acting chair of the department and also acting orthopaedist-in-chief at the Medical Center.

Orthopaedic surgery is a specialty dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and diseases of the body's musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic programs at the University of Maryland include total joint replacement, hand surgery, spinal reconstruction, pediatric orthopaedics, sports medicine and traumatology.

Kernan Hospital is home to the University of Maryland Total Joint Replacement Program, and the University of Maryland Sports Medicine Program, which provides care for the Baltimore Ravens, student athletes at the University of Maryland at College Park, UMBC, and Coppin State.

"Orthopaedic surgery is the busiest surgical service in our Shock Trauma Center," says Dr. Burgess, who is also chief of orthopaedic traumatology. "In addition to performing more than 2,000 surgical procedures every year, orthopaedic trauma physicians have pioneered new surgical techniques and have published research that has dramatically improved musculoskeletal trauma care."

###

For patient inquiries, call 1-800-492-5538 or click here to make an appointment.

This page was last updated on: March 9, 2009.