Greetings! The Department of Orthopaedics, Case School of Medicine, in the MetroHealth System has grown steadily over the past decade through the development of full time faculty based in the MetroHealth System and the ongoing support of part time orthopaedic surgeons who are committed to the traditions of the organization. The Department plays an essential role in the education of orthopaedic residents and fellows through its affiliations with University Hospitals Health System and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. As the leading Level I trauma center in Northeast Ohio, MetroHealth also provides training for other orthopaedic programs by sponsoring elective rotations for residents in the Meridia System and the Summa Health Care System. The trauma program has expanded dramatically over the past decade with the closure of the two level one trauma centers in Cleveland and the limited capacity and services at level two hospitals in the region. The faculty are focused in trauma surgery, hand surgery, spine surgery and pediatrics. MetroHealth and Northeast Ohio are blessed with the services of five fellowship trained traumatologists making the institution one of handful centers in the country with this level of staffing. In addition to the residency training programs the Department offers fellowship training in both orthopaedic traumatology and hand surgery and sponsors a spine fellowship in conjunction with University Hospitals of Cleveland. The Hand Service under the direction of Michael Keith, MD, is pioneering new technology, functional electrical stimulation (FES), for the restoration of motor activity in the upper extremities of patients with spinal cord injury. The collaboration of Dr. Keith and Dr. Hunter Peckham is an essential component of our research program, dramatically improving the quality of life for patients with neurological disabilities. More information on the FES program can be accessed through the link on our home page.

The Department has invested heavily in the creation of new teaching methods for a new world and a new generation of learners. The digital age has introduced enormous opportunities for the transfer of knowledge. The CL Nash Orthopaedic Learning Center utilizes a web-oriented approach to education. The OLC at MetroHealth was established under the guidance of Dr. Nash and the leadership of Heather Vallier, MD. The Center employs multimedia for access to orthopaedic information. If you have an interest the OLC Website it can be accessed through the link on our home page.

We aspire to be a nationally recognized leader in the disciplines of trauma, spine and hand and upper extremity surgery. The Department will pursue national recognition in these specific areas through focused investment in research, education and clinical care. Our vision includes expanding our research programs and tight integration of research and clinical care. The academic vitality of the Department is funded by many sources including but not limited to the contributions of time, talent and treasure from the faculty, external research grants, and support from the medical center and regional foundations. In many ways we are living a dream as our academic achievements are in the context of our mission as the major safety net provider for Northeast Ohio and the leading provider of charity care in the state. It is an honor to be associated with such a talented group of committed professionals.

If you have an interest in learning more about the OLC, the Department of Orthopaedics and/or you have an interest in one of our programs please contact me directly using one or more of the addresses below.

Sincerely,

Brendan M. Patterson, MD
Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Chairman, Department of Orthopaedics
The MetroHealth System
2500 MetroHealth Drive
Cleveland, OH 44109
bpatterson@metrohealth.org