Dr. Emil Schemitsch, past head of orthopedic surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital, has been appointed the St. Michael’s Hospital-University of Toronto Term Chair in Fracture Care Research.

The five-year chair will support Dr. Schemitsch’s research on how to best care for patients with musculoskeletal injuries, including gene therapy, bone substitutes, computer-assisted surgery and the stimulation of fracture healing.

Dr. Schemitsch’s research also focuses on the important role that fracture clinics can play in identifying victims of abuse. One of his studies showed that one-third of women treated in two Ontario fracture clinics said they had been emotionally, sexually or physically abused by their partners in the past year. Most of the victims had never been asked by another health care professional whether they had been abused.

Citing Dr. Schemitsch’s research, the St. Michael’s Fracture Clinic now asks all female patients over the age of 16 whether they feel safe at home, so that it can connect victims with the appropriate support and resources.

Dr. Schemitsch’s awards include the Edouard J. Samson Award for a Canadian orthopedic surgeon with the greatest impact on research in the last five years. He is a four-time winner of the Founder's Medal for Research of the Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society and four-time winner of the Bovill Award for best paper from the Orthopedic Trauma Association. He holds a Neer Award from the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, two Best Poster Awards from the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, the Best Paper Award from the International Society for Fracture Repair three times, the CORE/ACORE Award from the Canadian Orthopaedic Association, the George Armstrong Peters Award from the University of Toronto, the North American traveling fellowship and the ABC traveling fellowship.

The St. Michael’s Hospital-University of Toronto Term Chair in Fracture Care Research was funded by donations to the St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation.

About St. Michael’s Hospital
St Michael’s Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors.  The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in more than 23 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, care of the homeless and global health are among the Hospital’s recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Centre, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael’s Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

For more information, contact:
Leslie Shepherd
Manager, Media Strategy
Communications and Public Affairs Department
St. Michael’s Hospital
416-864-6094
shepherdl@smh.ca
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