“Most AAOS members are in community-based private practices,” said Dr. Tongue. “As one of those members, I understand the struggles and challenges we face, and I bring that perspective to the Academy.”
Published 4/1/2010
New members of the AAOS Board of Directors were announced at the 2010 Annual Meeting. These dedicated professionals, representing several orthopaedic subspecialties, share a strong spirit of volunteerism and commitment to the Academy.
John R. Tongue, MD
Second vice president
“I became an orthopaedic surgeon because I wanted to fix things for my patients,” said John R. Tongue, MD. “I have gained a great deal of knowledge and satisfaction from my job, which is why it is such an honor to be able to give back to the profession through this leadership role in the Academy.”
A graduate of Northwestern University and the St. Louis University School of Medicine, Dr. Tongue completed a general surgery residency at the University of Oregon Medical School and an orthopaedic surgery residency at the San Francisco Orthopaedic Residency Training Program. He has completed both sports medicine and hand surgery fellowships. Currently, he has a private practice in Tualatin, Ore., and is a clinical assistant professor at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland.
Dr. Tongue has served on several AAOS committees and task forces and was the driving force behind the Communication Skills Mentoring Program. He is a member of the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), the Western Orthopaedic Association, and the Oregon Medical Association. He has authored more than 80 publications, book chapters, and presentations.
Dr. Tongue has received numerous honors, including the AAOS Humanitarian Award, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association Public Service Award for his work in passing the Oregon Safety Belt Law, and the Oregon Medical Association’s Doctor-Citizen of the Year award.
“Health care is rapidly changing, which means the needs of our members will change. I look forward to helping the Academy move forward with programs, benefits, and services that will help us all provide better care for our patients,” he said.
Kevin P. Black, MD
Member-at-large
Kevin P. Black, MD, chairs the department of orthopaedics and rehabilitation at the Penn State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey. He also is the team physician for the Hershey Bears professional hockey team.
A prolific author, Dr. Black serves on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society and is a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM).
M. Bradford Henley, MD, MBA
Chair, BOS
M. Bradford Henley, MD, MBA, is a professor in the department of orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine at the University of Washington and maintains an attending position at Harborview Medical Center, the region’s level I trauma center.
Dr. Henley earned his medical degree at the University of Washington, completed an orthopaedic residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas, and went on to a trauma fellowship at Technical University of Munich in Germany. He has received numerous honors and awards, has published more than 75 articles, and has contributed to nearly 50 books and manuals.
Active in several professional societies, Dr. Henley is a member of the ACS, the AOA, the Washington State Medical Association, the American Medical Association (AMA), the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and the Clinical Orthopaedic Society. He also serves on the AMA’s CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) Editorial Panel, and has been a key member of the AAOS Coding, Coverage, and Reimbursement Committee.
Richard J. Barry, MD
Chair, BOC
Richard J. Barry, MD, the new chair of the Board of Councilors (BOC), hopes to “clarify the strategic vision of the future of the profession of orthopaedic surgery.
“Most AAOS members are in community-based private practices,” said Dr. Tongue. “As one of those members, I understand the struggles and challenges we face, and I bring that perspective to the Academy.”
Dr. Black earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester (N.Y.) School of Medicine, and completed his internship at the New York University Medical Center. His orthopaedic residency was at the University of Rochester, followed by a sports medicine fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
“I look forward to continuing the BOS mission of fostering unity and advocating for issues like healthcare reform, financial support for orthopaedic fellowship training, and continuing medical education,” said Dr. Henley.
Senior managing partner at Valley Oak Orthopedics in Davis, Calif., Dr. Barry specializes in the treatment of spinal conditions, with a particular interest in spine microsurgery. He also serves on staff at various hospitals and surgical centers in the Davis area.
As BOS secretary, “I look forward to helping serve as a bridge between the Academy and specialty societies,” said Gregory A. Mencio, MD. “Together, we can develop solutions to issues that affect our patients and orthopaedic surgeons.”
After earning his medical degree from the University of Iowa, Dr. Schafer completed an internship at Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital and an orthopaedic residency at Northwestern University. He then completed the National Foundation Traveling Fellowship in Spine Surgery in Australia and the AOA North American Traveling Fellowship.
Dr. Redfern earned his medical degree from the University of Nevada and served his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Southern California. He currently represents Nevada on the BOC and is a member of the State Orthopaedic Society committee.
“As a military physician, I hope to bring a unique perspective to the leadership,” said Dr. White, who earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., and completed an internship and orthopaedic residency at the Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash.
“All members of our profession need to engage in this discussion as we face the potential for major changes in healthcare delivery,” he said. “We must unite now to strengthen the voice of orthopaedic surgeons and protect our ability to serve our patients.”
Dr. Barry earned his medical degree from the University of Mississippi in Jackson and completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is active in several professional societies and is president of the California Orthopaedic Association. He also is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), and the North American Spine Society.
Gregory A. Mencio, MD
Secretary, BOS
Dr. Mencio is professor and vice chair of orthopaedics at Vanderbilt Medical Center and chief of pediatric orthopaedics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. A graduate of the Duke University School of Medicine, Dr. Mencio completed a general surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh and an orthopaedic residency at Duke. He then completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopaedics at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
Dr. Mencio serves on the board of directors of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and is a member of the AOA, the AMA, and the Southern Orthopaedic Association. He has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. A participant in medical mission trips for 20 years, he has served as the orthopaedic director for Kids First, Inc. and as the orthopaedic director of Healing the Children Northeast, Inc.
Michael F. Schafer, MD
Chair, Communications Cabinet
Michael F. Schafer, MD, is chairman and professor of the department of orthopaedic surgery at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He also is an orthopaedic surgery consultant for the Veteran’s Administration Westside Hospital in Chicago. He has served as an orthopaedic consultant for the Chicago Cubs for 30 years and was the team orthopaedic surgeon for the Chicago Bears for 10 years.
A member of the Chicago Medical Society, the AMA, the Scoliosis Research Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, the AOA, the AOSSM, and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, Dr. Schafer has received numerous honors and awards, including the 2008 William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, Leadership Award. He is a member of the AAOS Now editorial board and a peer reviewer and associate editor for Spine and The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
Fred C. Redfern, MD
Secretary, BOC
Fred C. Redfern, MD, is a private practice orthopaedic surgeon in Henderson, Nev., specializing in advances in total joint replacement, sports medicine and bracing, advances in bone grafting, and venous thromboembolism.
A member of the AOSSM, Dr. Redfern has twice been president of the represents Nevada Orthopedic Society (2002–2005, and 2008–current). Under his leadership, the NVOS receive the State Orthopaedic Society of the Year Award in 2005 for its role in obtaining tort reform in Nevada.
Dr. Redfern has also chaired the State Legislative and Regulatory Issues Committee and serves on the board of Keep Our Doctors In Nevada. He has been honored for his grassroots leadership to protect tort reforms and has lectured nationally and internationally on advanced bone healing techniques for fractures and revision total joint replacement.
Daniel W. White, MD
Member-at-large
Daniel W. White, MD, is the chief of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation services at Evans Army Community Hospital in Fort Carson, Colo.
Dr. White has earned numerous awards and military decorations, including a Bronze Star Medal and a Meritorious Service Medal. He has completed a sports medicine fellowship at Keller Army Hospital in West Point, N.Y.
The current president of the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. White is also active in the AOSSM, the AOA, and the Hawaii Orthopaedic Association.