Michael F. Schafer, M.D. 2008 Tipton Award Recipient     Michael F. Schafer, M.D. Receives 2008 Tipton Award for Outstanding Orthopaedic Leadership Serving as chair of one of the nation’s most prestigious orthopaedic programs for 28 years, longer than any other in the department’s 111-year history, and developing the first Comprehensive Review Course for orthopaedic surgeons are among the long list of achievements that made Michael F. Schafer, M.D. the ideal candidate for a leadership award.  “He believed in me more than I believed in myself,” said Craig Brigham, M.D., one of Dr. Schafer’s former residents.  Dr. Schafer, Ryerson Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, received the third annual Tipton Award during the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting in San Francisco on Thursday, Mar. 6, 2008. Established by friends, colleagues, and organizations through the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF), the William W. Tipton Jr., M.D. Leadership Award honors the qualities exemplified by the late Dr. Tipton, including his commitment to mentorship, bridge-building, and collaboration. “This award is the highlight of my career,” said Dr. Schafer, “being nominated by a group of my peers, and having another set of peers select me. I never embarked upon or needed public recognition. I always felt it was my responsibility to give back to others for having been fortunate enough to become a doctor and an orthopaedic surgeon.” 2008 Tipton Award recipient Dr. Schafer knew Dr. Tipton well, having interned with him at Northwestern’s Wesley Memorial Hospital.  “We used to take breaks on the top floor of Wesley, out on the porch.  You could look out and see Indiana,” recalled Dr. Schafer.  “We were up there one spring evening and I’ll never forget Bill asking, ’Do you think we’ll ever make a difference?’  No question, Bill Tipton made a huge difference for me personally, and everyone whose life he touched.” Dr. Brigham is one of many who say the same is true of Dr. Schafer. Now chief of the spine teaching service of the Carolinas Medical Center Orthopedic Residency program, Dr. Brigham met Dr. Schafer when he interviewed for a position at Northwestern University Medical School in 1975.  Although Dr. Brigham hadn’t been considering orthopaedics as a career, he was inspired by Dr. Schafer and completed his residency in orthopaedics at Northwestern, followed by a spine fellowship. “I have personal friends from residency who have similar stories of how Mike made a lasting difference in their careers," said Dr. Brigham. “It is just one of his strengths and a tribute to his character and lifetime commitment to the development of young doctors.” Orthopaedic surgeons who mentored under Dr. Schafer in the AAOS Leadership Fellows Program agree. “I first met Mike Schafer through the Academy’s Leadership Fellows Program. He volunteered to serve as my mentor for the year-long program,” recalled Bradley J. Nelson, M.D., associate professor of the Sports Medicine & Shoulder Division Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota.  “In typical Mike Schafer fashion, he has remained a mentor and friend for the last four years.” “I admire his warm disposition, witty sense of humor, and positive attitude during controversy," said current mentee Timothy S. Johnson, M.D., Johns Hopkins Sports Medicine and assistant professor in orthopaedic surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.  “Mike Schafer is a leader in every respect of the word.” In acknowledgement of Dr. Tipton’s dedication to education and his own lifelong commitment to forming orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Schafer will use the financial portion of the 2008 Tipton Award to establish at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine the William W. Tipton Jr., M.D. Orthopaedic Surgery Student Fund.  The fund will provide five $1,000 stipends to encourage interested medical students to explore a commitment to orthopaedics.  The stipends will be offered on a competitive basis.  Applicants will be evaluated by Dr. Schafer and his department vice-chairs, Andrew D. Bunta, M.D. and Alan W. Yasko, M.D. Dr. Schafer’s selection as the 2008 Tipton Award recipient also recognizes his leadership in numerous other AAOS programs.  As a faculty member for the Orthopaedic Educators’ Course from 1977 until 1992, Dr. Schafer helped strengthen the quality of orthopaedic training throughout the United States.  He also played a central role in enhancing the scientific and clinical skills of established orthopaedic clinicians by developing and then chairing the first Comprehensive Review Course for orthopaedic surgeons. Among Dr. Schafer’s further contributions to the AAOS are his six years as Chairman of the Committee on Graduate Education; two years as Chairman of the Educational Survey Task Force; and four years on the Instructional Course Committee, one as Chairman.  He has also served in leadership positions with Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, Association of Orthopaedic Chairmen, Academic Orthopaedic Society, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, OREF, and Scoliosis Research Society. As team orthopaedic surgeon for area professional sports teams, including the Chicago Bears and, for 28 years, the Chicago Cubs, Dr. Schafer has cared for some of the world’s finest athletes.  In addition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, he treats patients at Children’s Memorial Hospital (1975-present), and the Veterans’ Administration Lakeside Hospital (1975-present), all in Chicago.  Dr. Schafer also practiced at Columbus-Cuneo-Cabrini Hospitals (1982-1990), Chicago.  Dr. Schafer served as Major in the United States Army (1973-1974) and earned a commendation medal for meritorious service. Read more about Dr. Schafer as reported March 7, 2008 in AAOS Now William W. Tipton Jr., M.D. Leadership Award homepage

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