Sanford E. Emery, MD, MBA, 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 Matthew J. Dietz, MD, FAOA and John P. Lubicky, MD, FAOA.
Bio
Dr Emery, Professor Emeritus and Past Chair of the Department of Orthopaedics and Director of Surgical Services at West Virginia University, was in the active practice of orthopaedic surgery for 35 years, sub-specializing in adult spine surgery. After completing his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College and medical school at Duke University School of Medicine, Dr Emery completed his orthopaedic surgical residency at the University of Rochester/Strong Memorial Hospital, in Rochester, New York. He received his fellowship training at Case Western Reserve University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio under Dr. Henry Bohlman and remained on faculty there until taking the chair position at WVU in 2003. Dr. Emery earned an MBA at Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
Dr Emery is a past president of the American Orthopaedic Association. He served on the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and was President of that organization from 2014-2015. Dr Emery is past president of the Cervical Spine Research Society, and a member of several professional medical societies including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society, Orthopaedic Research Society, and West Virginia Orthopaedic Society. He has multiple scientific publications and book chapters, one textbook, and has been invited to present his work at numerous local, regional, national, and international meetings. Early in his career Dr. Emery received the SRS Russell Hibbs for Basic Science Research, the CWRU John R. Carter Teaching Award, and the Dean’s Academic Achievement Award at Weatherhead School of Management. More recently he was honored with the West Virginia University Dean’s Award for Excellence and the AOA Distinguished Clinician Educator Award.
At WVU Dr Emery had grown the department from five to thirty-five full-time faculty, established a resident research program, fostered a significant increase in both funding and productivity of basic and clinical research in Orthopaedics, and served on several leadership committees in his institution including the University Health Associates Board of Directors. He and his physician wife Gwen are now fully retired and living the good life in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
The AOA gratefully acknowledges Dr. Emery’s extensive and comprehensive impact on the orthopaedic community and recognizes him as an AOA Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession.Â
Tribute
“Dr. Sandy Emery embodies the very best of academic orthopaedics—an unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care, education, and research. His leadership was marked by integrity, humility, and a business-minded approach that earned him the respect of colleagues across every level of our field. At West Virginia University, he built a program we are immensely proud of—one grounded in clinical excellence and a deep dedication to training the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons. Yet Sandy’s impact extends far beyond our state. His visionary leadership and tireless advocacy for the profession have been recognized across the country and around the world. He has left a lasting legacy not only in the lives of his patients and trainees, but also in the continued advancement of orthopaedic surgery as a discipline. He has shaped my career, and I am forever grateful for the impact he has had on me and my family. It’s truly amazing that from Dr. Emery’s leadership, we now have two AOA pillars representing the great state of West Virginia.”
Matthew J. Dietz, MD, FAOA
Dr. Emery’s Co-Champion
“Sandy Emery is a true leader as he had a vision of transforming the Department of Orthopaedics at WVU into something great and he achieved that during his 20 years as chair. He set the standards of excellence, productivity and customer service for our clinical practice and provided a sound infrastructure for the research division which allowed it to be a very successful enterprise. Sandy was an excellent surgeon/physician, teacher and administrator – a true role model for the residents, fellows and his partners who was universally respected in the medical school and the medical center. Sandy embodies all that is a Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession.”
John P. Lubicky, MD, FAOA
Dr. Emery’s Co-Champion