Academy Diversity Award

Wayne Southwick, MD, has been a champion of equal opportunity for many years. After becoming the chief of orthopaedic surgery at Yale University in 1958, he began to build a legacy of diversification among his faculty and resident trainees that, even to this day, is unparallel among the many major orthopaedic surgery academic programs in the United States. Dr. Southwick has embarked upon a mission to almost single handedly confront the disparity in cultural and gender representation in orthopaedic surgery.

The 2003 Diversity Award was presented today during the Opening Ceremonies of the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in New Orleans. Wayne Southwick, MD, professor of orthopaedic surgery and acting chief at Yale University School of Medicine received the prestigious honor.

The award recognizes individuals who have been committed to activities aimed at achieving greater diversity in orthopaedics and that have successfully mentored individuals of diverse ethnicity/gender to help them prepare for a career in orthopaedics.

Dr. Southwick has been involved in many trips to Haiti providing orthopaedic care to the underserved, as well as providing philanthropic resources to children with special needs. He has also trained numerous minority and non-minority residents on the importance of being sensitive to the needs of the underserved.

"Dr. Southwick has demonstrated over the last forty years through action, not words, his commitment to reducing obstacles to minorities and women who wish to be orthopaedic surgeons," explained Robert Bucholz, MD, orthopaedic surgeon. "He is an inspiring, self-effacing man, who is ahead of his time."

In recognition of Dr. Southwick's commitment to diversity in orthopaedic care, the Academy will donate $5,000 to Dr. Southwick's project.

The 26,047-member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) or (http://orthoinfo.aaos.org ) is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public. An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (http://www.usbjd.org ) the global initiative in the years 2002-2011 to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life. President Bush has declared the years 2002-2011 National Bone and Joint Decade in support of these objectives. The Academy's Annual Meeting is being held February 5-9, 2003, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.