Historical Overview

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Virginia dates back to 1932. From that year until 1949, Dr. Robert Funsten chaired the department. 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 took the helm, 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 of their own. Two of this number have been presidents of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, the organization that represents orthopaedic surgeons in this country, and many others have held similar positions in other regional, national and international organizations.

Dr. Gwo-Jaw Wang took over as chairman 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 two additional fellowships - adult reconstruction and spine - 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 had expanded its very active research programs and it upgraded its nationally ranked residency program.  Dr. Laurencin left UVA to become Vice President of Health Affairs and Dean, University of Connecticut on August 10, 2008.

Dr. Mark F. Abel became the Chair with Dr. Laurencin's departure.  Mr. Abel brings a more arounded focus and balance to the Department with his strong clinical, educational and research experience in orthopaedic surgery.