Richard Rothman, Founder of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Dies at Age 81

Richard H. Rothman, M.D., Ph.D., 81, founder of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute and mentor to hundreds, possibly thousands of orthopedic and spine surgeons throughout the world, passed peacefully on Sunday, October 21, 2018 with his family by his side, after a long quiet battle with cancer.

“Dr Rothman was not only an extraordinary Orthopaedic surgeon and leader,  he was a kind and compassionate husband, loving father, and one of the best friends and supporters a person could have. We all are indebted to his presence in our lives and his memory will live on as continue his mission of patient centered care,” said Alex Vaccaro, M.D., Ph.D.

It is no exaggeration to state that Dr. Rothman was a peerless visionary in orthopedics who never deviated from his core principle of patient-centered care.

Dr. Rothman was one of the first American surgeons to make the trek to Dr. John Charnley’s clinic in England in 1969 and learn hip replacement arthroplasty. Walter H. Annenberg, former owner of two Philadelphia newspapers—ThePhiladelphia Inquirerand Daily News—and one of Dr. Rothman’s early patients, donated the money to start the Institute that now bears Dr. Rothman’s name.

The Rothman Orthopaedics Institute, which has clinics in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, provides team physicians for the Philadelphia-based professional sports teams—Phillies, Eagles, Flyers, and 76ers—as well as those of national NCAA basketball champions Villanova University.

When he founded the Institute in 1970 it had only four employees and a single small office.

Today, it is one of the largest and most influential orthopedic and spine care networks in the world with more than 200 physicians in over 30 offices.

“During his distinguished career, Dr. Rothman performed over 50,000 total hip and total knee replacements. This is the largest volume ever done by one surgeon,” states the Rothman web site.

“He also developed the Stryker Accolade total hip replacement system, which has become one of the most prominent and widely used hip replacement systems in the world.”

Dr. Rothman was one of those very rare clinicians who also created world-renowned educational and research institutions.

As Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, it was his vision that led to the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute becoming one of the preeminent practices for orthopedic fellowships applicants—receiving thousands each year.

Rothman researchers annually present the most peer-reviewed papers, posters and podium presentations at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the world’s largest orthopedic meeting. As a team, the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute ranks second in grants from the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Rothman also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Thomas Jefferson University, was a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and The Brandywine River Museum of Art. He was on the Board of Trustees as a senior adviser for The Riverside Corporation, a private-equity firm in New York City, and taught medical students at Jiao Tong University in Shanghai.

He was the son of a Polish immigrant who arrived in the United States around 1920 with meager savings and little education. The father, who later owned a bathing-suit company, died when Dr. Rothman was 16.

Dr. Rothman was a native of Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, graduating from Cheltenham, High school.

Dr. Rothman’s undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania was in history. He went on to earn his medical degree from the same institution. His Ph.D. was in anatomy and it was awarded by Thomas Jefferson University, also in Philadelphia.

He befriended presidents and ambassadors, treated his office staff and operating room team like family, mentored students, and cared for patients from every walk of life. An icon of medicine, he left an indelible imprint on the world of orthopedics and on all of those whom he encountered throughout his brilliant life.

Dr. Rothman is survived by his wife Marsha, four children, and five grandchildren.

All images courtesy of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Jefferson Hospitals or courtesy of Philly.com.