Mark Vrahas, M.D. Founding Chair at Cedars-Sinai

Accomplished orthopedic trauma surgeon and Harvard University professor Mark Vrahas, M.D., has been selected as the Founding Chairman of the Los Angeles Cedars-Sinai medical center’s new Department of Orthopaedics.

“This important leadership appointment reflects Dr. Vrahas’ reputation for outstanding patient care, clinical excellence and his strong record of building and leading highly effective orthopedic trauma programs, ” said Shlomo Melmed, M.D., in the June 16, 2016 news release. Dr. Melmed is executive vice president of Academic Affairs, dean of the medical faculty and the Helene A. and Phillip E. Hixon Chair in Investigative Medicine.

According to the news release, “Formerly a section of the Department of Surgery, orthopedics at Cedars-Sinai has experienced record clinical and academic growth over the past several years, prompting the establishment of a new Department of Orthopaedics.”

“Dr. Vrahas joins Cedars-Sinai from Harvard Medical School, where he served as the vice chair for Population Health & OR Operations at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and as chief of Partners Orthopaedic Trauma Program at Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He also founded the Harvard Orthopaedic Trauma Initiative to foster collaboration among orthopedic trauma services at all Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals—Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women’s, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Boston Children’s Hospital.”

“Dr. Vrahas completed medical school and residency at the University of Pittsburgh, followed by fellowships in biomechanics research at the University of Iowa and in orthopedic trauma and adult reconstruction at the University of Toronto. He was chief of Orthopaedic Trauma at Charity Hospital in New Orleans before moving to Boston in 1999.”

“Although it is difficult to move away from the Harvard Medical School community after nearly two decades, I am looking forward to collaborating with my new colleagues as we tackle the challenge of building upon Cedars-Sinai’s reputation for excellence in patient care and research, ” Vrahas said.

Vrahas told OTW, “It is a real honor to be named the Founding Chairman for the Orthopaedic Department at Cedars-Sinai. The orthopedics at Cedars-Sinai’s orthopedic practice is already very strong so my first job will be to listen to and learn from the folks in the trenches. Together we will build a vision and strategy for the future.”