Orthopedic pioneer Freddie H. Fu, MD, DSc(Hon), DPs(Hon) dies at age 70 years

Freddie H. Fu, MD, DSc(Hon), DPs(Hon), chair of the department of orthopedic surgery and head team physician of the department of athletics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, died on Sept. 24.

Fu joined the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1982 and became the David Silver Professor and chair of the department of orthopedic surgery in 1998, according to a press release from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). The release noted Fu held secondary appointments as professor of physical therapy, health and physical activity, and mechanical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Fu also served as an Editorial Board Member of Orthopedics Today.

According to the release, Fu was acclaimed worldwide for his innovative research and teaching, which lead to many clinical advancements in sports medicine and orthopedic care, particularly in the treatment of knee injuries.

Fu founded western Pennsylvania’s first sports medicine program in 1986 in a small suite near the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh, according to the release. The UPMC Center for Sports Medicine moved to a newly built building within the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in 2000 and was later renamed the UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center in 2018.

The release noted Fu served as the company physician for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for 37 years, and guided a partnership between UPMC and the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins to build the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in 2015, a sports medicine and training facility dedicated to hockey-related training, injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Fu also established the first high school athletic training program in western Pennsylvania and was instrumental in initiating the on-site presence of emergency medical services at high school football games. The release added he served as the board chair and executive medical director of the City of Pittsburgh Marathon from 1985 to 2003, and was the medical director of the annual Thrift Drug Classic annual professional cycling race from 1991 to 1997.

Fu was recognized with more than 260 professional awards and honors during his career, including induction into the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Hall of Fame in July 2016, according to the release. The release also noted Fu received the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Diversity Award in 2011 for building and overseeing one of the top and most diverse orthopedic residency training programs in the country. He also received the Presidential Challenge Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association for his significant contributions and support in advancing athletic training. The release noted Fu delivered more than 1,200 national and international presentations, co-authored 173 book chapters, wrote more than 675 peer reviewed articles and edited 30 major orthopedic textbooks.

Orthopedic professionals mourn

Freddie Fu was truly an international superstar in orthopedic surgery. He was known and loved throughout the world. He established a world-renowned orthopedic center at the University of Pittsburgh, with a special emphasis on state-of-the-art care and facilities in all areas related to sports medicine.

As a leader, he attracted talented surgeons and other musculoskeletal care providers to his program. He then created an environment for them to develop their own skills and reputations as a world-class care provider. He was talented in so many ways; however, his special gift was his ability to work with people to bring out the best in them as students, teachers, researchers, clinicians and surgeons.

I always enjoyed my friendship with Freddie, whether it was at an international or national meeting or just through our mutual efforts in sports medicine and education. His smile, charisma and desire for excellence made every gathering with him special and unique. His legacy will be with us for generations to come.

Anthony A. Romeo, MD

Chief Medical Editor, Orthopedics Today

Freddie Fu’s accomplishments and successes are well-described and documented in many tributes. As a friend, his passing is a real loss. Freddie was the kind of friend who always responded when called to help. He was always available for comments on articles. He never declined when I asked him to contribute a book chapter or speak at a course. He was an important part of our faculty for Orthopedics Today Hawaii meetings.

On a more personal note, we shared an interest in quality photographs that included sunrises and sunsets, birds and even exquisite presentations of food – just to mention a few.

He was younger than me, and I watched him emerge as a surgeon and someone who cared for others. I, as well as all who knew him, will miss him. Thank you, Freddie, for being you.

Douglas W. Jackson, MD

Chief Medical Editor Emeritus, Orthopedics Today

Freddie was a genius with boundless energy and enthusiasm. He was always generous with his time to whomever he met. He led UPMC to unprecedented success with his vision and team-building skills.

John D. Kelly IV, MD

Professor of orthopedic surgery, University of Pennsylvania

Orthopedics Today Editorial Board Member

Everyone has so many touching stories about Dr. Fu. The stories seem to center around his wit, determination, incredible memory, unstoppable energy and fun-loving personality, but most are centered around on his “joie de vivre” or love of life. Of all his exceptional qualities, he emanated vehemence for everything that he did. He loved his family first and foremost. His zest was infectious. You could not help but feel his commitment and love of his family, life, science, photography, people, patients, the arts, good food, great wine, fast cars and flashy clothes. I’ve never met somebody with a heart so big that he could love so much. Yet, family was always his number one.

When I first moved to Pittsburgh for my fellowship about 20 years ago, I remember talking to random people in the airport, grocery store, hardware store, gas station, and the list goes on. After people found out where I worked, they would share delightful stories about Dr. Fu. Freddie did not care if you were a famous actor, a sports star or politician. He treated everyone the same. People would routinely say that he treated them like a professional athlete, stopped by their house after surgery to see them, gave them a ride home when their car broke down or when they came to Pittsburgh for a visit, gave them a personal tour of the city and took them out for a delicious dinner.

There are some people who bring a light so great to this world that even after they are gone, the light still shines.

Robin V. West, MD

President, Inova Musculoskeletal Service Line

Chair, Inova Sports Medicine

Lead team physician, Washington Nationals

Orthopedics Today Editorial Board Member

Freddie Fu's death strikes deep for me. We started in academics at the same time – fresh out of residency – and grew up in academic sports medicine together. He came to visit with me and did a slick ACL reconstruction in our OR at University of Connecticut after giving grand rounds.

I was his guest in Pittsburgh several times, including his first ACL International Summit in Pittsburgh, where I presented my new concept of quad-free tendon ACL reconstruction at his request. I remember he had an unbelievable array of outstanding faculty and also amazing wines at the faculty dinner. He was a consummate gracious host. I also remember that he gave me a tour of their new sports medicine center, which took about 15 minutes at Freddie's pace, and when we came back to the parking lot, his car was turned around and ready to go with the motor running – I was amazed.

Freddie was always a good friend to me. I have fond memories of his friendship, kindness and generosity. I think he was admitted to Herodicus Society a year or so before me and gave a most gracious, warm welcome to Mark Steiner and me when we became new members of Herodicus in Scotland. It is funny how you remember those little kindnesses and consideration.

He used to joke about “Fu and Fulkerson.” We had a shared love of quad-free tendon as I originally described it in 1998 for ACL reconstruction long before it became popular and we spoke about it many times. Recently, he was my advocate and sponsor for professorship at Yale.

Freddie's death strikes deep. Great loss. Good friend. World leader. Masterful educator. I will miss him. I can’t believe he is gone.

John P. Fulkerson, MD

Professor of orthopedic surgery, Yale University

President, Patellofemoral Foundation

I had the privilege of training as a sports medicine fellow with Freddie in 1997 along with Chris Harner, MD, and JP Warner, MD, at the University of Pittsburgh. Freddie was a real-life superhero. Freddie was thoughtful, charismatic and always present. Countless patients have benefited from his thinking and personal touch. Similarly, Freddie has mentored thousands of clinicians through his teaching and leadership.

He was a dedicated family man, philanthropist and someone I considered as a friend. We will miss his physical presence, but we will never be without his spirit. That is indelible. May he rest in peace.  

Brian J. Cole MD, MBA, FAANA

Associate chair and professor, department of orthopedics, Rush University Medical Center

Past president, Arthroscopy Association of North America

Orthopedics Today Editorial Board Member

The passing of Freddie Fu is a tremendous loss to the sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery community. Not only was Dr. Fu a brilliant leader and innovator, but he was also a genuinely kind and generous man with a wonderful sense of humor.

I cannot think of a better teacher or role model, and as a friend and colleague, he was the very best. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fu family during these challenging times.

Richard Ryu, MD

Past president, Arthroscopy Association of North America

Orthopedics Today Editorial Board Member

People ask me all the time, “Why do you work in Pittsburgh?” The answer is simple: It’s because of Dr. Freddie Fu. Don’t get me wrong. Working with Freddie was hard, but his generosity and kindness made all the hard work that we did easy. Freddie had this gift to make everyone better. Whether it was a student becoming a resident or a scientist becoming award-winning, he was able to uplift anyone. Freddie would know every person’s name that he ever met – patients, doctors and visitors, including family members. Every person I have ever met who had the privilege of meeting Dr. Freddie Fu has the same story that I have. That is, he was able to positively affect their lives and made a difference, a suggestion or a recommendation. That person feels as if he or she is the only one who is important. Freddie Fu truly touched thousands of lives, and I am humbled for the opportunity of having been part of his life.

Volker Musahl, MD 

Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania Professor and Chief Sports Medicine

Medical director, International Sports Medicine

UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center

Co-head team physician football 

University of Pittsburgh

I am shocked and saddened by the passing of Freddie. He would keep all his past faculty and Ferg’s [Albert B. Ferguson Jr., MD] past residents and graduates of Pitt Orthopedics in touch with his daily emails. It was sometimes 10 or more per day. I will remember Freddie for his humility, joyful smile, and always thinking of those around him and what he could do to help. He was a champion for diversity and for doing the right thing. He will be sadly missed.

Robert D. D'Ambrosia, MD

Chief Medical Editor, Orthopedics

Chair emeritus and professor emeritus

Department of orthopedics

University of Colorado

Aurora, Colorado

Freddie Fu gave everyone full attention and 100% listening, even if the next second he was already somewhere else, still on the move. Then, when the time came, he could come back to you, devote time to share and relax.

He was different: free and very sensitive, never conventional. Extraordinary! For everything – in surgery, in work and in sports – he loved excellence. His energy and vitality were without comparison.

Responding to emails day and night within a minute, we all received photos of the sunrise from around the world, flowers, his dining experiences, his beloved city of Pittsburgh and his beloved family. I don't know why, but I kept all those photos all for 20 years. We all lived to Freddie's rhythm except for him, for whom the sun never seemed to set.

I met him when he came to Lyon as a young AOSSM-ESSKA Traveling Fellow. Then, he made me dream during a congress I attended in Pittsburgh and stunned me when he tearfully received the AAOS Diversity Award. He became, last June, an honorary member of EFORT.

Then, the unthinkable happened. Freddie stopped living. Yet, like each of you, his magic continues to be with me.

It was Freddie.

Philippe Neyret, MD

EFORT President  2019 to June 2020

ISAKOS President 2015 to 2017

ACL Study Group President 2014 to 2016

Lyon

Reference:

• UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh mourn the passing of Dr. Freddie Fu. https://www.upmc.com/media/news/092421-fu-obit. Published Sept. 24, 2021. Accessed Sept. 27, 2021.