Berton R. Moed, MD, FAOA is being recognized as an AOA Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession for his leadership, mentoring, and lifelong contributions to orthopaedic surgery during his distinguished career. The champions for this effort on his behalf are Konrad I. Gruson, MD, FAOA and Mark S. Vrahas, MD.
Bio
Berton R. Moed received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his medical degree from the St. Louis University School of Medicine. After completing his internship year at St. Louis University, he fulfilled a 2-year obligation in the service of the United States Navy at the rank of Lieutenant. It was following his stint in the Navy that he completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Thereafter, he rounded out his orthopaedic trauma training at several esteemed fellowship programs including Sunnybrook Medical Centre in Toronto, Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, and 3 months with Dr. Emile Letournel in France.
While holding faculty appointments at Wayne State and the University of Michigan, Dr. Moed consistently served within the departmental leadership at each of the hospitals that he staffed. Beginning in May 1998, he was named Chief of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Detroit Receiving Hospital. His innumerable academic accomplishments and dedication to clinical excellence and teaching ultimately culminated in his being named Professor and Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at the St. Louis University School of Medicine, his alma mater, in 2003. During his tenure there, he served as Trustee on the AO Trauma International Board and as chairperson of the AO Trauma Research Commission. In 2013, he was named the Hansjörg Wyss Endowed Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Moed’s clinical and research interests centered primarily on the evaluation and treatment of pelvis and acetabular fractures. His passion for the subject resulted in over 150 peer-reviewed publications in some of the highest-impact orthopaedic journals and numerous book chapters that are still considered seminal in the field of pelvis and acetabulum trauma. Furthermore, he was a consummate “tinkerer”, holding multiple patents for various orthopaedic trauma implants.
Dr. Moed was an active member of the American Orthopaedic Association since 1995. He served as a Deputy Editor at Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, a Section Editor – Pelvis at the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma since 2001, and a member of the Editorial Board at the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma since 1992. Since 1994, he was a site visitor for the Residency Review Committee in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Perhaps his most lasting contribution to the field of orthopaedic surgery will be the countless medical students, orthopaedic surgery residents, and orthopaedic trauma fellows that he had the privilege of training, many of whom themselves have become leaders within the field.
The AOA acknowledges Dr. Moed’s legacy and honors him as an AOA Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession.
Tributes
“Dr. Moed epitomizes the term clinician educator, with unparalleled surgical skill and in-depth knowledge regarding the pelvis & acetabulum, and a compassion for helping patients irrespective of their socioeconomic standing. Over a nearly four-decade career in academia, he served as an active mentor and role model for countless medical students, residents, trauma fellows and junior attendings, helping them to achieve their career goals. As a leader within his own Department, his institution, as well as within countless national and international professional societies, Dr. Moed has left a lasting legacy in the field of orthopaedic traumatology. His seminal research on the evaluation, treatment and outcomes following acetabulum fractures remain on the list of “must reads” for any surgeon within the subspecialty. On a personal level, there is no doubt that my own journey within orthopaedics has been positively influenced by the examples of hard work, honesty and integrity that I witnessed first-hand in all of our interactions. For all of his contributions to the field, it has been my distinct privilege to advocate on his behalf for this well-deserved AOA Pillar.”
Konrad I. Gruson, MD, FAOA
Dr. Moed’s Co-Champion
“Dr. Berton Moed or Roy Moed as he was known throughout the orthopaedic community was truly a pillar of the orthopaedic profession. In academic medicine we often speak of three pillars – clinical care, research, and education. Dr. Moed’s contributions to our field in all three areas were substantial. Clinical he was an excellent surgeon who cared deeply for his patients, but went beyond this to insure quality care for all patients in the trauma divisions and department he led. His research contributions were considerable in multiple areas but most importantly in pelvic and acetabular surgery where he published landmark research which continues to guide us today. Finely, he trained hundreds of medical students, residents and fellows and lectured around the world. He is a leader that will be greatly missed.“
Mark S. Vrahas, MD
Dr. Moed’s Co-Champion