University of Virginia Health System

Historical Overview

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Virginia was established in 1932.  Dr. Robert Funsten was the chairman of the department until 1949.  He was followed by Dr. J. Hamilton Allen, who in turn was succeeded by Dr. Warren G. Stamp in 1968.  Dr. Funsten and Dr. Allen were excellent orthopaedic surgeons who by all accounts ran an excellent clinical department. Dr. Stamp brought the department into the modern era - a department that not only excelled in clinical orthopaedics, but also in research and medical education, especially residency and fellowship training. At the time Dr. Stamp became the chairman, the department consisted of two orthopaedic surgeons who handled every phase of orthopaedic surgery.  Dr. Stamp successfully recruited a wide variety of excellent orthopaedic surgeons and research personnel; established a large, very active and productive research lab; and fostered an atmosphere which ultimately brought to fruition the awarding of numerous research grants. Several orthopaedic surgeons, who served either as faculty or residents in the Stamp era, now chair orthopaedic departments around the country. Two have been past presidents of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, and many others have held similar positions in other regional, national and international organizations.

Dr. Gwo-Jaw Wang took over as chairman of the department in 1992. Dr. Wang brought new life to the department by expanding the department to thirteen full-time orthopaedic surgeons and four Ph.D. research personnel, as well as upgrading the Division of Prosthetics and Orthotics. The Department expanded its divisions by adding foot and ankle and oncology.  He also added adult reconstruction and spine fellowships to the Department.

On February 1, 2003 Dr. Cato T. Laurencin became the Chair of the Department.  Dr. Laurencin came to the University with a strong research background and clinical experience in sports medicine and shoulder surgery from Hahnemann School of Medicine and Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Because of Dr. Laurencin's new leadership the Department expanded its very active research programs and upgraded its nationally ranked residency program.  Dr. Laurencin left UVA to become Vice President of Health Affairs and Dean at the University of Connecticut on August 10, 2008.

Dr. Mark F. Abel became the Chair with Dr. Laurencin's departure.  Dr. Abel brings a balanced approach to the Department's programs with his strong clinical, educational and research experience in orthopaedic surgery.