After nearly 20 years serving West Virginia University, Sanford Emery, M.D., MBA, professor and chair of the Department of Orthopaedics and director of Surgical Services, has announced his retirement, effective June 1, 2023.
For the past 34 years, Dr. Emery has been in the active practice of orthopedic surgery and has built a nationally renowned orthopaedics training program since taking on the role of department chair in 2003.
During this time, Emery grew the department from five to 38 full-time faculty, established a resident research program and fostered a significant increase in both funding and productivity of basic and clinical research in the field.
“It has definitely been a long-distance run, but I think we have had real impact on the institution, state and region,” he said. “From early on the department internalized our goals of excellence, customer service and productivity.”
Emery said the most important factor in sustained excellence is recruiting and hiring the right people, including faculty, fellows, residents, APPs and the staff.
“I am very proud of the people I get to work with every day who are committed to taking good care of people and doing the right thing; I have relied on them more than you could imagine. I am also especially proud of our research, medical optimization and bone health programs. In addition to our clinical expertise, these areas keep us competitive on a national scale,” he said.
In addition to his work as department chair, he serves on several leadership committees, including the University Health Associates Board of Directors. He has authored more than 75 publications, 35 book chapters and a textbook.
“The true impact of Dr. Emery has made on the School of Medicine can’t be seen in the numbers, impressive as they are, they can be felt by the trainee and patient experiences we are able to provide, in part, because of the legacy and reputation he’s built in his specialty,” Clay Marsh, M.D., chancellor and executive dean for WVU Health Sciences, said.
After completing his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College and medical school at Duke University School of Medicine, 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 and remained on faculty there until joining WVU as the department chair. In addition to his medical degree, he earned an MBA at Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
He is a past president of the American Orthopaedic Association. He served on the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery where he was president of the organization from 2014- 2015. He is also a 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.
“I am truly thankful to have worked here with people committed to WVU and the values of the medical profession,” Emery said. “We can always be better, and I am confident the next leader will take our department to higher levels in clinical service, research and education.”
Emery is leading the search for a new chair. Committee members include Michelle Bramer, M.D.; Judith Feinberg, M.D.; Chris Goode, M.D.; Daniel Grabo, M.D.; Daniel Grant, M.D.; Hannah Hazard, M.D.; Ed Nemergut, M.D.; Arif Sarwari, M.D.; Kerry Woodberry, M.D.; and Sarah Woodrum, DPH.
For more information on the Department of Orthopaedics, visit medicine.wvu.edu/orthopaedics.
-WVU-
ct 11/6/22
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Cassie Thomas, Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Medicine
