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insideinformation
Alum Gives
$2 Million for Chair
in Orthopaedics
The co-inventor of the New Jersey Knee
makes a gift to encourage human joint
replacement research at NJMS.
F
REDERICK F. BUECHEL, MD, a 1972 NJMS graduate
and co-inventor of the New Jersey LCS Total Knee
Replacement System, has given the school the largest
single gift ever received from an alum—a $2 million endowment
to establish a chair in the Department of Orthopaedics.
He completed the orthopaedic residency program at NJMS
in 1977.
The Frederick F. Buechel, MD, Chair for Joint Replacement
will enhance a strong clinical program in total joint
replacement at University Hospital with a basic science
research program.
“My wish for the chair holder is to push the frontiers of
human joint replacement research into practical, clinical applications,”
says Buechel.
To encourage scientific exchange and research collaborations,
the chair holder will work in conjunction with the New
Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) to establish the Buechel-
Pappas Biomechanical Engineering Liaison—a partnership
between the NJMS orthopaedic department and the departments
of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering
at NJIT.
This liaison reinforces the importance Buechel places on the
value of collaboration. Engineer Michael Pappas, PhD, a professor
of mechanical engineering at NJIT, taught biomechanics
to NJMS medical students and residents. Buechel, then a surgical
resident, was inspired by Pappas’ skill at solving complex
structural problems. They joined forces when the resident
asked his teacher for help in constructing a prosthetic ankle.
Since then, they have received more than 100 patents for
implants and instruments related to replacement ankles, hips,
shoulders, knee and finger joints.
PULSE SPRING 2003
“My wish for the chair holder is to push
the frontiers of human joint replacement
research into practical, clinical applications.”
Frederick F. Buechel, MD
The endowment will also establish the Buechel-Pappas
Award for Outstanding Biomedical Engineering Research,
which will be given every other year to a surgeon-engineering
team from the two schools. It will also allow for the development
of a clinical research unit on the Newark campus to promote
cutting-edge research.
Buechel, who is a clinical professor of orthopaedic surgery
at NJMS, was inducted into the New Jersey Inventors Hall of
Fame with Pappas in 1998.
Fred Behrens, MD, professor and chair of the Department
of Orthopaedics, comments: “This gift, which is a tribute to
Dr. Buechel’s achievements and his remarkable career, will
help to assure that our school remains at the forefront of
research and education in orthopaedics.” ●
PADDY ECKERSLEY