Albert B. Ferguson Jr., MD, past chairman of orthopedic surgery at Univ. of Pittsburgh, passes

Albert B. Ferguson Jr., MD, a leader in orthopedic surgery and a key contributor to the strong orthopedic tradition that exists in Pittsburgh today, passed away on August 20. Memorial services for Ferguson were held on August 30 in Fox Chapel, Pa.

“He is an incredible mentor, a surgeon among surgeons,” Freddie H. Fu, MD, DS(Hon), DPs(Hon), chairman of the department of orthopedics at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, told Orthopedics Today.

The impact Ferguson had on musculoskeletal innovation and the pioneering tradition in orthopedics in Pittsburgh was discussed in an article Orthopedics Today in 2010.

Mentored trainees

Ferguson was born June 10, 1919, in New York City. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1941 and from Harvard Medical School in 1943, and became the third chairman of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh in 1953 serving the department until he retired in 1986. In 1953, Ferguson was also appointed the Silver Professor Orthopedic Surgery, at which time he started the residency program.

“Overall, he led by example, as a true officer, but supportive and enthusiastic to all, whatever their abilities, so that his trainees worshipped him. Consequently his trainees filled prestigious posts worldwide,” George Bentley, ChM, FRCS, an Orthopaedics Today Europe Editorial Board member, said.

Bentley recalled how Ferguson readily embraced him as a salaried clinical research fellow in 1969, paired him up with Robert Greer, MD, to conduct some of the now foundational cartilage research — successful transplantation of isolated articular and epiphyseal cartilage cells in animals — and told Bentley he could do what he liked as long as he remained productive.

“This approach to all his staff was the key to his unique style of leadership and to his immense popularity, and I carried this with me throughout my own career especially when subsequently dealing with challenging situations in my own department,” said Bentley, who is Emeritus Professor and Director, Institute of Orthopaedics, University College, London, and Honorary Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, United Kingdom.

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An orthopedic pioneer

“Throughout my career I recalled his approach, his standards, his sense of humor, and above all his generosity, which were unique. I will miss him greatly, but with undying thanks,” Bentley said.

In his eulogy for Ferguson, Fu said Ferguson established the orthopedic surgery research lab in Pittsburgh and was an excellent surgeon, but he also described Ferguson as kind and someone who made you feel special when you were around him.

“To some, he was a superhero, a great American and a distinguished Pittsburgher. To many of us, he was a father figure and role model. He genuinely cared about others and their families,” said Fu, who is Distinguished Service Professor University of Pittsburgh, David Silver Professor University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Head Team Physician. University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics.

Baseball team physician and fan

Ferguson was a sports medicine pioneer, who loved baseball and the Pittsburgh Pirates, in particular, and served at the time as the orthopedic surgeon for the team and as the company physician for the Pittsburgh Ballet, Fu said.

The Pittsburgh Pirates recognized Ferguson at a home game on August 29.

Ferguson’s specialty was children with dislocated hips and the approach he used to treat them did not cut the muscles and minimized scarring. He also invented the I-beam nail used to repair hip fractures, according to Fu.

“Always leading by example, he showed us all how to live our lives to the fullest,” Fu said in the eulogy.

Ferguson was married to the late Louise Enequist Ferguson for more than 60 years. They have four children, many grandchildren and one great grandchild. – by Susan M. Rapp