The Classic

Abstract

Mark B. Coventry (Fig. 1) was born in Duluth, Minnesota, and has remained an enthusiastic Minnesotan. His childhood in northern Minnesota fostered a love of the outdoors that he maintains to the present day as evidenced by his hobbies: gardening and skiing. He left Minnesota for his undergraduate and medical school education at the University of Michigan, from which his father and older brother had graduated. He returned to Minnesota for residency training in general surgery and orthopedics at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Coventry joined the staff of the Mayo Clinic in 1942. His practice was interrupted during World War I1 when he served in the Pacific and gained a great deal of surgical expertise in the management of war injuries. He returned to the Mayo Clinic in 1946 and joined the medical staffwith Drs. Bickel, Lipscomb, Young, Henderson, Meyerding, and Ghormley. Throughout his career at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Coventry developed a diversity of orthopedic interests. These included the intervertebral disc, bone tumors, and management of osteoarthritis about the hip and knee. He performed the first total hip arthroplasty with the FDA-approved use of methylmethacrylate in March 1969. In conjunction with Drs. Riley, Upshaw, Finerman. and Turner, Dr. Coventry developed the geomedic total knee prosthesis. In 1960, he designed an upper tibial valgus osteotomy with a technique that continues to be used today. He laid the groundwork for the current administrative organization of the Mayo Clinic's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in 1963 and served as chairman of the department for seven years. He has developed a strong interest in medicine in less-developed countries and has been actively involved in orthopedics overseas. Dr. Coventry has served in numerous organizations. His appointments have included the presidencies of the American Orthopaedic Association and of the Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation. He has authored or coauthored more than 200 articles and has made numerous scientific presentations. Perhaps his greatest ability lies in teaching. Despite many commitments, he always had time to teach the residents. His Saturday morning conferences were replete with practical knowledge and advice that have shaped the practice patterns of his many residents and fellows. He developed a strong interest in patients as individuals, an attitude fostered by his father. His ability to relate to his patients as people is a special quality all have come to admire. Even in retirement, Dr. Coventry has remained active and has committed himself to teaching, research, and participation in national and international courses. Mark B. Coventry's philosophy, enthusiasm, and intellectual curiosity have served as a model that has deeply influenced all who have been privileged to work with him. JAMES A. RAND, M.D.