Christopher D. Harner, MD, UPMC Orthopaedic Surgeon, Installed as AOSSM President

Newswise — BALTIMORE, MD – Christopher D. Harner, MD, Medical Director for the UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medicine Center) Center for Sports Medicine will be installed as the 41st president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) on Saturday, July 14th, 2012, during the Society’s Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD (July 12th-15th).

Dr. Harner is the Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He holds a secondary appointment as Professor of Physical Therapy, Health, and Physical Activity. He is dual certified in both orthopaedics and orthopaedic sports medicine. Since 1997, he has also been the Program Director for the Sports Medicine Fellowship Program and has trained more than 80 sports medicine physicians. In April of 2007, he was also appointed as the co-director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Biomechanics/Biodynamics laboratory.

Dr. Harner graduated with high honors from Michigan State University where he played varsity baseball for 2 years. In 1981, he earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan and went on to do his orthopaedic residency at the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his sports medicine fellowship in Salt Lake City in 1987 and joined the full time faculty at the University of Pittsburgh later that same year. Dr. Harner has received multiple awards throughout his orthopaedic career, including:

• AOSSM Cabaud Award (1999, 2003) • AOSSM Excellence in Research Award (1994, 2002) • AOSSM Rovere Award (2009)• AOSSM/ESSKA Traveling Fellow (1990)• AOSSM O'Donoghue Sports Injury Award (2011)• American Journal of Sports Medicine’s Hughston Award (2000)• ISAKOS John Joyce Award (2001, 2002)• Twentieth Century Club Compere Award (2004) • Best Doctors in America: Northeast Region

He has also served on the education committees for both the AOSSM and the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA). In addition, Dr. Harner is a member of the editorial review boards for numerous orthopaedic, sports medicine, and scientific journals. In 2000, he was appointed to a 10 year term on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Harner has played a key role in sports medicine certification serving as Chairman of the Subspecialty Certification Committee. Dr. Harner also serves as team physician for the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Central Catholic High School, and Woodland Hills High School.

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The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) is a world leader in sports medicine education, research, communication and fellowship, and includes national and international orthopaedic sports medicine leaders. The Society works closely with many other sports medicine specialists, including athletic trainers, physical therapists, family physicians, and others to improve the identification, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports injuries. AOSSM is also a founding partner of the STOP Sports Injuries campaign to prevent overuse and traumatic injuries in kids.