Florida Investors Hall of Fame inducts AAOS member for innovations in shoulder surgery

Earlier this year, Joseph Iannotti, MD, PhD, FAAOS, was named as a 2025 inductee to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of Florida’s most prolific and impactful inventors. The Hall of Fame seeks to inspire future generations of inventors and foster a culture of innovation across the state.

Dr. Iannotti is chief research and academic officer and Lang Family Endowed Chair of Orthopaedic Research at Cleveland Clinic Florida, as well as professor of surgery and biomedical engineering at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. He is a nationally recognized orthopaedic surgeon, educator, and researcher whose work has transformed the field of shoulder surgery and orthopaedic innovation through groundbreaking research, cutting-edge clinical applications, and translational innovation in musculoskeletal care.

Dr. Iannotti’s pioneering technologies in patient-specific surgical planning systems and 3D-printed implants have revolutionized shoulder joint replacement. His inventions include one of the first commercial platforms for patient-specific instrumentation in shoulder arthroplasty and custom implant design software that integrates medical imaging, artificial intelligence, and digital modeling. These technologies are now widely used to increase surgical precision, reduce complications, and improve recovery outcomes for patients undergoing complex joint reconstructions. He has also contributed to the development of biomechanical models that help surgeons evaluate implant performance and soft-tissue function, shaping how shoulder disorders are treated worldwide.

Dr. Iannotti holds 89 U.S. patents and is a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. He also received the Cleveland Clinic Mason Sones Award for Innovation, and he was awarded the Cleveland Clinic Lifetime Achievement Award for Innovation. He has received awards from leading professional organizations, including the Neer Award and the Charles S. Neer Clinical Science Award from American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons.

For more information, visit floridainvents.org.