Meet the New Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic

Brendan M. Patterson, MD, has taken the helm of the Cleveland Clinic’s Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute’s 325-person Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. An experienced leader in orthopaedic surgery whose specialty areas include limb salvage, complex fractures, adult reconstruction, hip and knee replacements, Dr. Patterson joined Cleveland Clinic in 2017. In this profile, Consult QD asked him to share a bit more about his interests and plans as Chairman.

At a Glance

Background in brief: Graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College with majors in economics and chemistry. Received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and was elected President of Alpha Omega Alpha in his fourth year of medical school. Earned a master’s degree in business administration from the Weatherhead School of Management at CWRU. Completed his orthopaedic residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and an orthopaedic trauma fellowship at Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington in Seattle. Previously served as chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at MetroHealth System, specializing in trauma and post-traumatic reconstruction, with a focus on patients with significant injuries to the skeleton due to severe arthritis, injury or major deformity.

Research interests: Limb salvage and the decision-making that goes into whether to save a limb that’s endured a catastrophic injury or whether an amputation with prosthetic management is the better alternative. Also, research in trauma systems and outcomes relating to high-performing hospitals within large systems.

Why trauma: Opportunity to have a major influence on the outcome of a patient or a patient’s family, invest in relationships and care of others that leads to their improved health and quality of life.

Vision for department: Keeping patients at the very center of what we do and a constant eye to improving the quality of life for patients who have a broad range of problems related to their musculoskeletal system.

Looking forward: Widen our scope of service within the region and around the globe. Make significant technological advances, leading to improved musculoskeletal outcomes, particularly in the fields of robotics, bearing surfaces and orthobiologics.

Of note: A fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and current Chief Financial Officer of the Board of Directors of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. Chief architect in the creation of OTA Online, a comprehensive online educational platform for residents now used by an international community. Led the establishment of the Center for Orthopaedic Trauma Advancement, which develops funding for the education of orthopaedic trauma fellows. Helped develop the Northern Ohio Trauma System and served as its chairman for three years. (During that time, trauma mortality in the region decreased by 40 percent.)