The late Drs. L. Thomas Hood and Herman Frank Johnson are names that run deep through Nebraska’s orthopaedic heritage. Marjorie Hood, wife of Dr. Hood and daughter of Dr. Johnson, wanted to ensure that they were remembered for their remarkable contributions to the field of orthopaedics, while also supporting the mission of the UNMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, which they helped build.
As a result, Mrs. Hood has generously donated to the orthopaedic department through the establishment of professorships in the names of her husband and father. The professorships will be awarded to those who have followed in their footsteps and set high standards in patient care, education and research — perpetually inspiring orthopaedic surgeons of the future to maintain the department’s mission and standard of excellence.
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Kevin Garvin, M.D. |
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Matthew Mormino, M.D. |
Dr. Garvin was named the L. Thomas Hood, M.D., Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation for his strong leadership skills as chair of the department, increasing the research focus of the department’s faculty and building and maintaining a strong clinical practice.
Dr. Mormino was named the Herman Frank Johnson, M.D., Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation for outstanding surgical and academic skills, excelling as director of the residency program and being a principal investigator on a groundbreaking clinical trial to enhance bone healing.
The professorships honor the memory of two of Nebraska’s orthopaedic legends.
Dr. Johnson graduated from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1922. For over two decades he shared his ideas on improving orthopaedic care with the medical community at meetings and in publications covering a broad range of topics. Two of Dr. Johnson’s landmark publications included, “Reconstruction Procedures in Traumatic Lesions of Bone and Joint Where Conservative Methods Fail,” and “The Orthopaedic Care of the Arthritic Patient.”
In 1932 he became an assistant professor of both orthopaedic surgery and general surgery at the Nebraska College of Medicine and shared his expertise with many young medical students. In addition to this appointment, Dr. Johnson was a senior partner in the office of Lord, Schrock and Johnson. Dr. Johnson practiced at Methodist, Clarkson and Immanuel Hospitals, consulted at Lutheran Hospital and practiced in some out of state facilities, as well.
Dr. Hood graduated from UNMC in 1946. During his years at UNMC he also worked part-time at the orthopaedic office of Lord, Schrock, and Johnson. Being exposed to Dr. Johnson’s expertise and extensive knowledge, Dr. Hood was inspired to specialize in orthopaedic surgery. After serving two years in the Army Medical Corp and completing a three-year fellowship in orthopaedic surgery at the Mayo Clinic, he returned to Omaha and became a partner in his father-in-law’s office until he retired in 1984.
In 1968 Dr. Hood became the first chair of the UNMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. During his time as chair (1968-1974) he pioneered the residency program in orthopaedics and was personally responsible for the first 12 people to enter the program. In 1970, upon his return after traveling to Europe to study hip arthroplasty, he performed the first hip replacement in Nebraska and shared his knowledge of the procedure with other orthopaedic surgeons. In private practice Dr. Hood operated at many hospitals in the community and served as president at Methodist and Immanuel at different times in his career.
The intent of Mrs. Hood’s donation is that, over time, the endowed funds will generate enough principal to allow the professorships to ascend to the level of endowed chairs of orthopaedic surgery.