Principles Before Implants

Dr. Philipp Stillhard is the Head of Trauma Surgery at Kantonsspital Graubünden in Chur, Switzerland. Following his residency and tenure as a senior attending physician, he spent years specializing in trauma surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Christoph Sommer. Together, they advanced specialized treatments for complex tibial plateau and pilon fractures, as well as pelvic and acetabular surgery. Dedicated to the "Chur School of Trauma Surgery," Dr. Stillhard and his team are committed to advancing this nationally and internationally renowned tradition of surgical excellence. Beyond his clinical leadership in Switzerland, Dr. Stillhard is deeply committed to global health, having regularly participated in humanitarian missions in the South Pacific for many years. His work combines high-level technical expertise in complex trauma with a strong sense of social responsibility.

Dr. Mark E. Morrey is a full professor in the Division of Adult Reconstruction within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic and serves as the Program Director for the Mayo Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship. He is a specialized expert in complex elbow and shoulder arthroplasty, revision surgery, and the management of massive bone loss. His clinical work is focused on restoring function for patients with failed implants and post-traumatic joint stiffness. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Dr. Morrey completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic and earned a Master of Science in Orthopaedic Surgery from the University of Oxford as a Girdlestone Scholar. He is an active researcher, studying the genetic basis of arthrofibrosis and regenerative strategies for tendinopathies. An award-winning educator, Dr. Morrey is also deeply involved in surgical skills training, having been named "Teacher of the Year" by the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education.

Dr. Timothy Achor is a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. He serves as the Director of the Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, one of the nation’s premier Level I trauma centers. Dr. Achor specializes in high-acuity musculoskeletal injuries, with particular emphasis on complex fractures of the lower extremities, as well as the treatment of non-unions. After earning his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio, Dr. Achor completed his residency at New York Medical College and a prestigious fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery under Dr. David Helfet. A dedicated educator and mentor, he is an active member of the AAOS, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and AO Trauma North America. He is widely recognized for his commitment to advancing trauma care through both surgical excellence and the training of future orthopaedic leaders. He is double board-certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and Lifestyle Medicine.

Dr. Milton Lee (Chip) Routt, Jr. is the Dr. Andrew R. Burgess Endowed Chair and Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. He is a globally recognized leader in the treatment of pelvic and acetabular injuries, with a distinguished career dedicated to surgical excellence and orthopaedic education. A Texas native, Dr. Routt completed his residency at Vanderbilt University and his fellowship at the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center, where he remained as faculty for over two decades. Throughout his career, he has mentored hundreds of orthopaedic traumatologists and published over 150 peer-reviewed articles. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Leonard Tow Award for Humanism and Education. Dr. Routt is a member of the AAOS and OTA, and has served as a trustee for the AO Foundation.

Dr. Marc Swiontkowski is a Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Minnesota and the Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS). A graduate of the University of Southern California, he completed his residency at the University of Washington (UW), followed by a research fellowship in Davos, Switzerland. Throughout his prestigious career, he has held key leadership roles, including Chairman of Orthopaedics at the University of Minnesota and CEO of TRIA Orthopaedic Center. Dr. Swiontkowski is a Past President of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and the AOA, which recently recognized him as a "Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession." Beyond his clinical and research achievements, he is dedicated to international surgical training, mentoring residents in Haiti and Tanzania, and advancing clinical science. His extensive contributions to Orthopaedics have earned him numerous honors, including the AOA’s Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedics award.