Speakers - WNSC 2023

Biography

First, I am originally from Dearborn, Michigan.  I am the fourth child of my parents in a lower middle-income family and my mother was a cook at the local community college and my father was a window display man in a department store.  Graduating from junior high and high school, I was awarded the Scholar Athlete Award from both. The Russel Catherman Award from O.L.Smith  Jr. High and the Frank McIntrre Award from Dearborn High School.  I was granted a primary nomination to the Air Force Academy from Congressman Dingell and graduated from there in 1970.  From active duty, I decided to go into medicine and become an orthopedic surgeon.  I attended George Washington University Medical School and while on still on active duty, fulfilled my residency at the Mayo Clinic.  After I returned to service and completed my military obligation, I was asked by the Mayo Clinic to be one of 35 doctors to head up the new Jacksonville branch of the Mayo Clinic.  I worked there for 20 years and then came to Duke.  The move was largely motivated by my desire to get into a large teaching program and also because my son wanted to do a Fellowship in Foot and Ankle with me and Mayo said “no” and Duke said “yes”.  He is now in practice in Huntsville, Alabama.

 I have been hereat Duke  for 15 years and am now 75 years ago. My wife, Rita and I have had three children and have been married 52 years.  I have helped train many orthopedic surgeons in residency and fellows who have gone on to practice foot and ankle in both private and academic program.  I have authored over 150 peer reviewed articles and chapters. During my time at Duke I have been recognized as one of the top 23 foot and ankle surgeons in the country (US News and World Report, 2012) and am currently, according to Healthgrades.com, in the top 5% of foot of orthopedic surgeons in North Carolina and top 10% in the nation.  My main interests have been replacement of arthritic ankle with total ankles and I have worked with a number of orthopedic companies and have several patents in that area.  I have lectured worldwide and am a frequent traveler on the airlines.