The Mayo Clinic Department of Orthopedic Surgery: an international foundation.

Abstract

In our series of editorials planned for 2015, we give the opportunity to our friends from the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, USA) to present their state-of-the-art institution and Department of Orthopedic Surgery [1]. The Mayo Clinic Department of Orthopedic Surgery in Rochester, Minnesota, has been an international foundation since its inception. Drs. William James and Charles Horace Mayo were always interested in innovative ideas and surgical techniques from across the world. With their father’s origin from Eccles, near Manchester, England, it made sense that they visited Sir Robert Jones in 1906 [5]. The Mayo brothers documented their visit in an article entitled ‘‘Present-day Surgery in England and Scotland: From notes made on a recent short visit’’ published in the Journal of the Minnesota Medical Association [3]. After visiting Sir Robert Jones in Liverpool, Dr. William J. Mayo described the number of rooms and the manner in which Sir Robert Jones saw his patients, noting that much of the clerical work was completed by his associates [5]. Mayo also noted Jones’ ability to use splints, plaster, and alternative means of immobilization to treat patients postoperatively. Several years later, Dr. William J. Mayo established an independent Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Moreover, the Mayo brothers encouraged Dr. M. S. Henderson to visit Liverpool to learn from Sir Robert Jones. While in Liverpool, he stayed at Sir Robert’s home at 11 Nelson Street [5]. When Dr. Henderson returned to the Mayo Clinic, he adopted the process of seeing patients and managing their musculoskeletal affliction, often without compensation, similar to the practice he experienced in Liverpool. The Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic was formally created in 1910, and its first official chair was Dr. Henderson [4]. Dr. Henderson worked closely with Dr. Charles H. Mayo and was responsible for the majority of the orthopedic cases. Under the original guidance of the Mayo brothers and Dr. Henderson, the present-day staff has grown to 56 physician/scientist faculty appointments, and 72 residents and fellows [4]. From the Mayo Clinic Department of Orthopedic Surgery, there have been five American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons presidents, including Dr. M. S. Henderson (1935), Dr. W. Bickle (1964), Dr. E. D. Henderson (1976), Dr. B. F. Morrey (1994), and Dr. D. J. Berry (2011) [4]. Likewise, there have been five American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) presidents, including Dr. M. S. Henderson (1934), Dr. R. K. Ghormley, Dr. M. B. Coventry (1970), Dr. P. Lipscomb (1975), and Dr. B. F. Morrey (2002) [4]. M. P. Abdel (&) M. E. Morrey B. F. Morrey Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street S.W, Rochester, MN 55905, USA e-mail: abdel.matthew@mayo.edu