| At UB, orthopaedic surgery as a defined medical specialty began with Bernard Bartow, M.D.(1849 - 1920), one of the
foremost orthopaedic surgeons in the country. He was the first physician in western New York to limit his
practice to orthopaedics, and offered the school's first course in orthopaedic surgery in the spring of 1884. Many of Dr. Bartow's patients were children, and he helped establish the Children's Hospital of Buffalo, which opened in 1892. He served as the head of orthopaedics at the UB medical school, Buffalo General Hospital, and Children's Hospital; Dr. Bartow retired in 1915. |
| William Ward Plummer, M.D. (1877 - 1953) continued this tradition of excellence throughout a fifty year career marked
by many pioneering accomplishments, including the first nailings in western New York, the first cup
orthoplasty of the hip, and the first Bankart operation. He was appointed full professor of orthopaedic surgery in 1917, and held the post until his retirement in 1942. The AMA-approved University at Buffalo Orthopaedic Residency Program was started by Dr. Plummer in 1939; it was based at Buffalo General Hospital and had one enrolled resident. The monthly stipend for residents was $25, and included room and board. |
| Other leaders in orthopaedics include Frank N. Potts, M.D. (1890 - 1961); who succeeded his mentor Dr. Plummer and expanded the residency program, and Benjamin E. Obletz, M.D. (1907 - ), a member of the first
American-British-Canadian orthopaedic exchange program in 1949. The Obletz Award, established in 1994, honors graduating senior medicals who demonstrate excellence combined with an interest in orthopaedics. Dr. Obletz served as chief of orthopaedics at Buffalo General Hospital until 1964. |
