Distinguished Alumnus Award

In 2004, the Distinguished Alumnus Award was created to acknowledge an exemplary alumnus who has shown leadership and/or has had special recognition in his/her professional specialty and has actively participated in HSS Alumni Affairs.

2009 Victor M. Goldberg, MD
Class of 1971

A native of Brooklyn, Victor M. Goldberg, MD attended New York University and graduated from the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center in 1964. He spent two years from 1964-1966 at the University Hospitals of Cleveland (Western Reserve University) completing an internship, residency and fellowship in general surgery. Dr. Goldberg went on to serve as Captain in the United States Air Force and reached the rank of Chief of Surgery at Blytheville Air Force Base from 1966-1968.

By a suggestion of a mentor, and a desire to return to New York, Dr. Goldberg applied to Hospital for Special Surgery and began his orthopaedic surgical residency in 1968. While at HSS, Dr. Goldberg began a research project with Dr. Eugene Lance which ignited an interest and foundation for becoming a clinical scientist. Upon graduating in 1971, he joined Dr. Lance in Harrow, Middlesex, England at the Clinic Research Center, where he finished a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Immunology of Transplantation.

Returning to Ohio in 1972, Dr. Goldberg quickly built a reputation at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals of Cleveland. Among the many leadership positions he held, he served as Head of the Orthopaedic Section of Rheumatological Surgery from 1972-1989 and Chair, Department of Orthopaedics from 1989-2002. Additionally, he was appointed Director, Musculoskeletal Institute,1991-2002; Medical Director, University Faculty Practice Association, 1994-2002; and Director of Musculoskeletal Research, The Research Institute 2002-2003. He continues to serve as Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Attending Orthopaedist at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals of Cleveland.

Throughout his career, Dr. Goldberg has been recognized for his outstanding achievements and tremendous contributions to the field of orthopaedics. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons presented him with the prestigious Kappa Delta Award, Excellence for Research in Orthopaedic Surgery, in 1985, 1992, and 2003. He had the privilege of serving as President of the Cleveland Rheumatism Society, 1979-1982; President, Orthopaedic Research Society, 1987-1988; President, Hospital for Special Surgery Alumni Association, 1988-1989; and President, Knee Society, 1996-1997. He served as Vice Chair, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Board of Trustees, 1999-2002 and Chair, 2003-2005. Dr. Goldberg received the Otto Aufranc Award from the Hip Society for Outstanding Research in 2006 and the ORS/OREF Distinguished Investigator Award in 2008. His endless dedication and invaluable accomplishments are the reason we are proud to present Dr. Goldberg the sixth Distinguished Alumnus Award.