John Sontich, M.D.: New Trauma Chief at University Hospitals Case Medical Center

John Sontich, M.D. will now lead the charge when it comes to trauma at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Dr. Sontich, the new chief of the Division of Orthopaedic Trauma and Post Traumatic Reconstruction, is also an associate professor of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine.

Dr. Sontich, current president of the Ohio Orthopaedic Society, graduated from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine and completed his fellowship in orthopedic trauma at Metrohealth Medical Center and CWRU. His post- fellowship training was in orthopedic bone deformity in Kurgan Siberia-Russia.

According to the August 24, 2015 news release, “His research interests include surgical and non-surgical repair of lower extremity and pelvis fractures as well as limb lengthening for post-traumatic deformity. Additionally his research is also involved with biomechanics and design of external fixation systems in orthopaedic trauma.”

Dr. Sontich is a past president of the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society (LLRS) of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). He also has served as president for the Cleveland Orthopaedic Society in 2007.

“Dr. Sontich is a highly respected trauma surgeon and as part of our team, will surely enhance our surgical capabilities, said Randall Marcus, M.D., Chairman, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery – UH Case Medical Center and Professor, Orthopaedics – CWRU School of Medicine. “His research and expertise will inspire us to greater levels of treatment and care.”

Dr. Sontich told OTW, “My goals are to develop an outstanding level I orthopedic trauma center which can provide superior care for those patients who have sustained critical orthopedic injuries. As an orthopedic trauma surgeon for over 20 years, I have worked in the area of limb salvage and limb reconstruction. I feel UH can provide excellent functional outcome to patients that have sustained severe orthopedic trauma injuries. We can provide this care starting at the exact time of injury to critical transport to our center, complete hospital care both surgical and nonsurgical and extending through their last rehabilitation session. Ultimately, our goal is to return the patient back to their life as it was before their life altering events. It does take a team to achieve these goals and UH has done a very nice job recruiting and maintaining an excellent group of qualified trauma medical professionals.”

“As we build the structure for an orthopedic trauma center, we are also developing a posttraumatic reconstruction orthopedic trauma center, like nothing seen in the Midwest. I mean a national referral Center for limb correction including bones that heal imperfectly or don’t heal at all, limbs that remained shortened or angulated can now be corrected with internal and external lengthening. This is a technique that I have done for over 20 years. It is particularly useful for reconstruction after fractures. Along with Dr. Raymond Lui, my colleague at Rainbow Babies, we will be able to care for both adults and children with these severe deformities. UH is really set up well to be a national leader in this area and to draw patients from a wide geographical area.”