Charles A. Rockwood, Jr., M.D., professor and chairman emeritus, Department of Orthopaedics, director, shoulder service, marked 50 years of service to the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in October.
Dr. Rockwood is recognized internationally for his tremendous contributions to orthopaedic surgery during the past 40-plus years.
He came to the Health Science Center in 1966 as founder of what would become the Department of Orthopaedics.
Dr. Rockwood has limited his private practice to the study and treatment of shoulder problems for the past 30 years. He worked closely with DePuy Orthopaedics in the development of the Global TM Shoulder Arthroplasty System and a post operative home-based exercise rehabilitation program for the shoulder . He led his team of investigators in developing asecond prosthesis with DePuy specifically designed to treat fractures of the shoulder. Although he has discontinued his surgical practice, he continues to see patients in clinic and as a consultant, lends his expertise to other orthopaedic surgeons throughout the country. Dr. Rockwood has authored numerous journal articles and audiovisual presentations and has served as editor of several textbooks .
Dr. Rockwood graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine in 1956 and completed his orthopaedic residency at the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Oklahoma and affiliated hospitals in 1961.
His academic honors include fellowship in shoulder surgery with Dr. Charles Neer in New York City, recipient of the American British-Canadian Fellowship Award in 1967, Honorary Fellowship, Royal College of Surgeons , Edinburgh, Scotland (1993) and induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1996. He served as president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in 1984-85 and president of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons in 1985-87. Dr. Rockwood is a member of numerous national medical associations and an honorary or corresponding member to numerous international medical associations. He served as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.