Steven Garfin Honored as an AOA Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession

Just as the spine can be defined as a pillar providing integral support to the body, Steven Garfin, M.D.’s steadfast contributions to the field of spine surgery and orthopaedic surgery have earned him recognition as a Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession by the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA). The University of California San Diego School of Medicine interim dean and distinguished professor, Garfin will be recognized in June at the AOA Annual Leadership Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri.

The AOA Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession designation provides others in the field the opportunity to honor the mentorship and leadership of designees while recognizing their lasting impact on the field.

 “I am lucky to have known Dr. Garfin through my entire career as my boss, mentor and friend,” said Reid Abrams, M.D., chief for the Division of Hand and Microvascular Surgery and vice chair of academic affairs in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UC San Diego, and one of Garfin’s three nominators. “He has been the most impactful leader I have had the privilege to know. He has transcended his early career trajectory as a clinician educator, blossoming into innovator and trailblazer, and transforming into a benevolent, caring and collaborative leader.”

Garfin first joined the faculty at UC San Diego in 1981. In clinical practice, he specializes in complex reconstructive spine surgery, while also providing treatment for all types of spine conditions including adult scoliosis, disc herniation and spinal cord injuries. Throughout his career, he has received many awards and accolades for teaching, research and clinical care, including work that has contributed to current international standards for spine surgery.

Over the last 43 years he has been a member of, and served in leadership roles for, several national and international spine and orthopaedic surgery societies, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, the Orthopaedic Research Society, the Lumbar Spine Research Society, the Cervical Spine Research Society, the North American Spine Society and the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery – the latter three he served as president

Additionally, Garfin has edited 21 books, authored more than 145 book chapters and published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles.