Greenwich Orthopedic Surgeon Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Orthopedic surgeon and director of Orthopedic Research at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Jo A. Hannafin of Greenwich received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the hospital’s 31st  Annual Tribute Dinner.

Hannafin, who also sees patients at the Hospital for Special Surgery Physician Office in Old Greenwich, is co-founder and orthopedic director of the Women’s Sports Medicine Center at the Manhattan hospital. She became the first female president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine in 2013. A three-time national rowing champion and silver medalist at the 1984 World Championships, she now serves as the official doctor for a number of professional sports teams.

NBC Nightly News anchor and managing editor Brian Williams of New Canaan, served as emcee of the black-tie gala held  at the June 16 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. More than 1,000 guests attended the event that raised $3.6 million for education, research and patient care at HSS.

“Hospital for Special Surgery takes great pride in the achievements of Dr. Hannafin, and we are delighted to recognize her distinguished career,” said Louis Shapiro, HSS president and CEO. “Dr. Hannafin is a true trailblazer. She was the first clinician-scientist at our hospital and is highly respected both nationally and internationally for delivering a high standard of care to patients.”

"I am honored and equally humbled to receive this award. HSS is an extraordinary institution with a singular focus on musculoskeletal diseases and injury,” Hannafin said. “Because of this focus we are able to provide outstanding patient care, innovative research, and educational opportunities for medical students, residents, fellows, and orthopedic surgeons from around the world."

HSS surgeon-in-chief Thomas Sculco said that the field of orthopedic surgery has one of the lowest percentages of women of any medical specialty. Less than five percent of Board-certified orthopedic surgeons are women. “Dr. Jo Hannafin has been able to reach levels of success and excellence beyond what most orthopedic surgeons achieve,” Sculco said.

A sports medicine specialist, Hannafin focuses on injury treatment and prevention in athletes and active individuals.  In 1997, she co-founded the Women’s Sports Medicine Center at HSS, the first such center of its kind in the United States. 


 “It is with great pride that we congratulate Dr. Hannafin on her Lifetime Achievement Award,” said David Altchek, M.D., co-chief of the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service at Special Surgery. “She has been an inspiration to everyone on the Sports Service and we take great pleasure in celebrating this recognition with her.”

Dr. Hannafin is currently head team physician for the Women’s National Basketball Association New York Liberty. A lifelong rower and a physician for the U.S. Olympic Rowing team, she also serves as a team physician for the United States Rowing Team. She is a member of the FISA Medical Commission and vice president of the Board of Trustees of the National Rowing Foundation.

She was the first clinician-scientist at HSS with a research program in ligament physiology. She has published more than 80 papers in peer-reviewed journals, written 20 book chapters and co-authored the book, “Say Goodbye to Knee Pain.”