G. Paul DeRosa, 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 David F. Martin, MD, FAOA and Terrance D. Peabody, MD, FAOA.
Bio
G. Paul DeRosa, MD, Professor Emeritus of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University and former Executive Director of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS), was born and raised in Angola, a small town in northeastern Indiana, close to the Michigan border. He never lost his Midwestern values, attending college at what he described as “a small Catholic institution close to home.” He was actually speaking with reverence about THE University of Notre Dame, where he played football for the Fighting Irish, wearing his number 60 jersey proudly and developing an allegiance to the school that was unending. He could often be heard saying, “God, Country, and Notre Dame – but not necessarily in that order!”
Dr. DeRosa’s medical training was at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Graduating as valedictorian, he stayed on as an orthopaedic resident. Paul became very interested in pediatric orthopaedics and spent a year in fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children in London, England. Paul served in the United States Air Force for two years, attaining the rank of Major. He returned to practice at Indiana University, quickly rising through the ranks to become Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, serving and teaching there from 1986 to 1995.
Paul was elected to the ABOS Board of Directors in 1990. In 1995, he was appointed Executive Director of the ABOS and moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he served as the leader of the ABOS for 13 years. When Paul stepped down as the ABOS Executive Director, he authored a book chronicling the history of the ABOS, entitiled Seventy-Five Years of Doing the Right Thing: A History of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. True to form, “Dr. D” could always be counted on to “do the right thing,” touching a generation of orthopaedic surgeons as they became ABOS Diplomates.
Dr. DeRosa was immersed in all aspects of orthopedic education and training, attaining many leadership roles, including Chair of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Residency Review Committee (ACGME RRC), President of the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), President of the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (MAOA), President of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), and President of the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA). He was a member of the International Pediatric Orthopaedic Think Tank (IPOTT), the Twentieth Century Orthopaedic Association (TCOA), and the European Pediatric Orthopaedic Society (EPOS). He was a prolific educator and researcher and spoke extensively around the world, sharing not only wisdom, but passion – he loved what he did and always did it with enthusiasm.
Dr. DeRosa was a great educator of residents, fellows, and practicing orthopaedic surgeons. He has more than 50 peer-reviewed publications. His major areas of interest were clubfeet, congenital birth defects, professionalism, medical ethics, ABOS certification, and the importance of Board Certification and Recertification. Paul’s President-Elect address to the AOA in 1996 was entitled, “Professionalism – Where Are All the Heroes?” In his address to the AOA, he said:
“The formula for professional life is simple in concept but difficult in practice. We must first master our field and then maintain proficiency through lifelong study. We must care for our patients as a unique human being. We must go beyond what is simply our duty, and we must always put the welfare of our patients above our own. Although few of our patients in orthopaedics face life-threatening illnesses, they still desperately need the emotional support of a caring, competent, and dedicated surgeon. If we can meet their needs, we will have succeeded not only as doctors but also as human beings. In a quiet and unassuming way, we will be their heroes.”
Paul was committed to his family, always taking the time to teach his children and grandchildren necessary life skills. Sharing and caring for friends, family, and colleagues characterized him well. He was a true hero!
The AOA gratefully acknowledges Dr. DeRosa’s lasting legacy and influential contributions to the orthopaedic profession and proudly recognizes him as an AOA Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession.
Tribute
“Paul DeRosa truly embodies the essentials of a “Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession.” The definition of the word ‘pillar’ includes the phrase ‘provides essential support and strength.’ Paul did exactly that, serving both patients and colleagues as a true clinician, researcher, teacher, mentor, and leader. Most of all he was an awesome professional and a dear friend. Through his work at the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS), Paul touched a generation of orthopaedic surgeons, always leading by example and “doing the right thing.” In one of his published essays, Paul said that he “aspired to be what he preached to his residents: ‘be kind, be caring, be competent, and, most important, be of good character!’” He did all of that and more. Paul set a great example and was one of my “north stars.” He loved orthopaedic surgery, and he is more than deserving of the honor of being an AOA Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession.”
David F. Martin, MD, FAOA
Dr. DeRosa’s Co-Champion
“Dr. DeRosa always stood for the doing the “right thing.” As a profession, we are indebted to him for his leadership of the American Orthopaedic Association and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery during transformative periods in their history. His emphasis on high professional standards of organizational and individual behavior inspired others to demand the most of themselves and others. He worked effectively with other stakeholders in education, accreditation and certification. He mentored and encouraged many of us to actively pursue the important work of training the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons. We support this Pillar with admiration and respect. Go Irish!”
Terrance D. Peabody, MD, FAOA
Dr. DeRosa’s Co-Champion