Hannafin named first female president of orthopaedic society

Greenwich-Post.com—August 28, 2013

Greenwich physician Jo Hannafin, a former Olympic champion, continues to break the glass ceiling for women in orthopedics, having recently been named the first female president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM).

Dr. Hannafin, a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery’s Physician Office in Old Greenwich and at the main hospital in New York City, began her one-year term as president in July. Referred to as a “trailblazer,” in this role Dr. Hannafin will represent a portion of the mere 5% of female board-certified orthopedic surgeons.

With 3,042 members, the American Orthopaedic Society is an international organization of orthopedic surgeons and other allied health professionals dedicated to sports medicine. Founded in 1972, AOSSM is a world leader in sports medicine education, research communication and fellowship.

“It’s the largest sports medicine society in the world, and I’m very excited to have been chosen as president,” Dr. Hannafin said. “I became the 21st female member of the organization in 1997. Today, just over five percent of the members are women, and it’s an honor to be the first woman chosen for the leadership position.”

“Hospital for Special Surgery takes pride in the achievements of Dr. Hannafin, and we are delighted to congratulate her on her new position,” said Lou Shapiro, president and CEO of Hospital for Special Surgery. “Dr. Hannafin is a trailblazer. She was the first clinician scientist at Hospital for Special Surgery, as well as a highly respected orthopedic surgeon and scientist on both a national and international level.”

Dr. Hannafin, director of Orthopedic Research at Hospital for Special Surgery and orthopedic director of the Women’s Sports Medicine Center at the hospital, co-founded the Sports Medicine Center with Dr. Lisa Callahan in 1997. At that time, the center was the first of its kind in the United States.

“It is only fitting that Dr. Hannafin is the first woman to be elected president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. She has been a leader throughout her whole career,” said Dr. Scott Rodeo, co-chief of the Sports Medicine Service at Hospital for Special Surgery. “She was a world class athlete herself and one of the first women to complete a sports medicine fellowship, during which time she was the first woman to work with an NFL team as a fellow. Her combination of wisdom, skill and grace will lead the prestigious AOSSM to new heights.”

This story originally appeared at greenwich-post.com.