Newswise — (New York, NY – February 12, 2020) – The Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) has named Leesa M. Galatz, MD, Professor and Chair of the Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Mount Sinai Health System, the recipient of the 2021 Women’s Leadership Forum Award. The award is given annually to a woman biologist, clinician, or engineer who has made significant contributions to the understanding of the musculoskeletal system and musculoskeletal diseases and injuries. Honorees also demonstrate outstanding leadership through service to the professional community and mentorship of colleagues and trainees.

 “This award reflects ORS’ commitment to the support and advancement of women in science and medicine,” Dr. Galatz said. “Moments like this energize me to continue to pursue excellence in orthopedic practice and research.”

Dr. Galatz was named Chair of Orthopedics at Mount Sinai in 2015. She specializes in shoulder and elbow surgery, with an interest in shoulder instability, rotator cuff disease, and shoulder arthroplasty. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Galatz is a leading researcher in the basic science of rotator cuff disease and tissue engineering strategies for tendon healing as part of two major projects funded by the National Institutes of Health. Her additional research includes clinical projects with colleagues providing shoulder and elbow service and colleagues in the Department of Population Health Science and Policy at Icahn Mount Sinai.

She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Charles S. Neer Award for Basic Science Research from the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons in 2009, and the 2014 Kappa Delta Ann Doner Vaughan Award given by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons for research on the natural history of rotator cuff disease. Dr. Galatz was a European Shoulder and Elbow Traveling Fellow in 2007, sponsored by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and an American British Canadian Traveling Fellow in 2009. She has served as a Member at Large on the Board of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and as a Delegate on the Board of the American Optometric Association.

Before joining Mount Sinai, Dr. Galatz was the Chief of the Shoulder and Elbow Service at Washington University in St. Louis. She earned her MD degree at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC. After her internship and residency at George Washington University Hospital, Dr. Galatz pursued a fellowship in shoulder and elbow surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Upon completing her training in 1999, she was appointed to the faculty of Washington University in St. Louis.

Dr. Galatz will receive the award at the virtual ORS 2021 Annual Meeting during the ORS Outstanding Achievement Awards Session on Sunday, February 14.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City’s largest academic medical system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai is a national and international source of unrivaled education, translational research and discovery, and collaborative clinical leadership ensuring that we deliver the highest quality care—from prevention to treatment of the most serious and complex human diseases. The Health System includes more than 7,200 physicians and features a robust and continually expanding network of multispecialty services, including more than 400 ambulatory practice locations throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 14 on U.S. News & World Report’s “Honor Roll” of the Top 20 Best Hospitals in the country and the Icahn School of Medicine as one of the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in country. Mount Sinai Health System hospitals are consistently ranked regionally by specialty and our physicians in the top 1% of all physicians nationally by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org/ or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.