The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at The Ohio State University was created in the late 1920’s. Dr. E. Harlan Wilson was the first Chief of this newly created Division of the Department of Surgery. Dr. Wilson, a native of Columbus, and the son of a practicing Columbus physician, completed his residency in one of the oldest organized orthopaedic residency programs in the country, that of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Wilson remained in the capacity of Director of the Orthopaedic Division until the time of his death in 1952.

The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery expanded over these first few decades, increasing its complement of faculty in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Soon after the onset of World War II, the Division, like many public institutions, found itself depleted of Orthopaedics Surgeons, as several faculty members, including Dr. Wilson, entering the war effort.

With the termination of World War II, the faculty returned and plans were formulated by Dr. Wilson to initiate a residency training program in orthopaedic surgery. As the University Hospital did not have substantial facilities for orthopaedic patients at that time, the residency program was to be distributed among the hospital of White Cross, Mt. Carmel, St. Francis and the Children’s Hospitals. This program remained in existence until 1956. At which time the program was restructured to involve only University Hospital and Children’s Hospital. White Cross and Mt. Carmel Hospitals would later form their own residency programs.

The Division continued to add faculty members during the 1940’s and 1950’s. With the death of Dr. Harlan Wilson in 1952, Dr. Judson Wilson was appointed acting director of Orthopaedic Surgery at University Hospitals. Dr. William Smith assumed the duties of Director of the Division in 1957. Dr. Smith was also the first full-time orthopaedic surgeon at University Hospitals.

In 1956, the OSU-Children’s program offered it’s first complete residency program. The residency began as a three-year program and one resident was chosen for each year in training Dr. Carl R. Coleman, a graduate of the Northwestern Medical School, completed this program in 1959. He is considered the first resident to complete the full course of orthopaedic training solely at the OSU Health Center and the Children’s Hospital. He is universally considered the modern program’s first graduate.

Dr. William Smith served as Director of the Division until his departure in 1963. Dr. Carl R. Coleman was then appointed Acting Director of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Coleman served as Acting Director of the Division until 1965 when Dr. Paul H. Curtiss, Jr. assumed the position of Professor and Director of the Division of Orthopaedics.

The residency program continued to grow and expand. In 1966, the resident appointments in Orthopaedic Surgery were increased from one resident to two residents per year. The length of the training program was also increased to four years in 1965. Orthopaedic research facilities were also established. A laboratory for pursuit of Orthopaedic studies was constructed in Ross Hall in 1966 and an Orthopaedic library for use of the residents and students was equipped in 1967.

Faculty membership also continued to grow. In October, 1967, Dr. John B. Roberts, a graduate of Northwestern University Medical School, joined the Orthopaedic Staff at the rank of Assistant Professor. Dr. Roberts has made many contributions to teaching and clinical programs. This commitment continues through present day. The Division also began to grant Clinical Faculty appointments. Five former residents, Dr. Carl R. Coleman, Dr. Richard F. Slager, Dr. Melvin L. Olix, Dr. Richard M. Ward and Dr. Thomas L. Meyer became the first members of the Clinical Orthopaedic Faculty after completion of their residency. Other additions to the Clinical Orthopaedic Staff included Dr. John J. Bock in 1967 and Dr. Martin A. Torch in 1968. Dr. Torch completed his residency here in 1966. The dedicated assistance of the Clinical Staff remains an integral part of the functions of the Division of Orthopaedics.

The year 1970 marked another significant change in the structure of the residency program. During this year, the University Hospitals/Children’s Hospital program combined with the orthopaedic surgery residency program at White Cross Hospital. White Cross Hospital is known today at Riverside Methodist Hospital. OSU Residents began rotating at Riverside at that time. Directors of Orthopaedic Education at both Riverside Hospital and Children’s Hospital were appointed to oversee the residents while at these hospitals. Dr. Carl Coleman served in this capacity at Riverside Hospital from 1970 until July, 2000, at which time he retired from his administrative duties. Louis Unverferth, M.D., assumed this role in July, 2000. Dr. Martin Torch was appointed the Director of Orthopaedic Education at Children’s Hospital. He currently still holds that position.

The orthopaedic residency program continued to progress throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s. The resident complement increased from two to three residents for each year in training in 1970. Subsequently, the program received approval to increase the resident complement from three to four residents for each year in training in 1975. The program continues today with four residents in each PGY year.

Dr. Curtiss retired from his duties as Chief of the Division in 1978. Robert Clark, M.D. then took over these duties and held the position until 1986. Dr. Sheldon R. Simon came on board in 1986 as Chief of the Division of Orthopaedics. Dr. Simon continued in this capacity for 12 years. He left the university in 1998.

The 90’s also marked significant changes for the Division of Orthopaedics and the Orthopaedic Residency Program. In April, 1999, the Division of Orthopaedics ended it’s decades long relationship with the Department of Surgery, when the University designated Orthopaedics as a Department. No longer a division of the Department of Surgery, Orthopaedics was able to make substantial changes in its structure. These changes were spearheaded by the new Department Chair, Thomas H. Mallory, M.D. Dr. Mallory, a 1970 graduate of the program, was instrumental in setting up orthopaedic operations at University Hospitals East, which was purchased by The Ohio State University Medical Center in April 1999. New orthopaedic operating suites were constructed at OSU East and the majority of operative cases we relocated there.

The education programs offered by the Department of Orthopaedics were also expanded due in part to the greater opportunities that departmental status affords. Upon purchase of the OSU East, formerly Park Medical Center, the Department acquired a Podiatric Surgery Residency Program. This program continues to grow under the auspices of the Department of Orthopaedics. The Orthopaedic residency program also saw changes as a result of ACGME policies. The program became a five-year program in July, 2000. This change allowed the Department of Orthopaedics to have full control over the "intern" year for PGY1 residents.

The department has 36 residents rotating through five affiliated hospitals. Residents are able to pursue research interests through the availability of state of the art research facilities such as the Biomaterials Laboratory and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

The Department has undergone tremendous growth over the years and we expect that growth to continue in the future.