Message from the chair

We are more than halfway through 2015 and it has already been a year full of accomplishments, change and progress.
 
As one of the three main facets of our mission in the UNMC Department of Orthopaedics, education is the foundation upon which we continue to build a strong presence in the orthopaedic world. 
 
Our faculty members have always maintained the belief that, first and foremost, residents are here as learners rather than service providers. We uphold this belief by making a commitment to enhance our comprehensive resident education program. Recently, our program was approved by the ACGME for an additional orthopaedic resident each year, bringing our total complement to 25 residents.
 
We were pleased to welcome the five new interns to our program. Drs. Emmett Gannon, Darin Larson, Evan Larson, Joshua Locker and Daniel Sveom joined the department July 1.
 
Our faculty’s accomplishments this year are a great point of pride. Many of our faculty members participated as presenters and moderators at the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting in April, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting in March and many other national and international conferences.
 
In addition to his promotion to associate professor, Dr. Miguel Daccarett volunteered his time and resources at the Nepal Orthopedic Hospital after the Nepal earthquake in April. In May, Dr. Justin Siebler was named physician of the year by the Association of Perioperative Nurses, while Dr. Hani Haider received the Leroy Wyman Award by ASTM International F04 committee. Earlier this year, our pediatric orthopaedic surgical team at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center was ranked among the best Children’s Hospitals by US News & World Report for 2015-2016.
 
Recently, Drs. Beau Konigsberg, Curtis Hartman and I implemented a Rapid Recovery Program aimed at reducing hospital length of stay for total hip and knee replacements. Since November 2014, the program has produced gradual positive results and exciting possibilities. 
 
Finally, we said goodbye to Drs. Todd Gaddie, Gregory Dammann, Andrew Taiber and Brent Hood in June. We wish them well in their future fellowships and practices. Thank you to all who attended our graduation ceremony.
 
I hope you enjoy this edition of Breaking News. Your continued support as alumni and friends of the program is invaluable.
 
Sincerely,
 
Professor and Chair
L. Thomas Hood, M.D., Professorship
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation