Schafer Receives Highest Award from Orthopaedic Foundation

CHICAGO --- The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation has presented its highest award to Michael F. Schafer, M.D., professor and chair of orthopaedic surgery at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Schafer, the Ryerson Professor at Feinberg, received the William W. Tipton Jr., M.D. Leadership Award that honors the qualities exemplified by the late Dr. Tipton, including his commitment to mentorship, bridge-building and commitment.

Schafer has announced that he will use the financial portion of his award to establish the William W. Tipton Jr., M.D. Orthopaedic Surgery Student Fund to provide five $1,000 stipends to encourage Feinberg medical students to explore a commitment to orthopaedics through observing surgery and conducting a research project.

As chair of orthopaedic surgery at Feinberg and Northwestern Memorial Hospital for 28 years, longer than anyone in the 111-year history of the department, Schafer maintains a clinical patient practice and specializes in spine surgery and scoliosis. He treats patients at Northwestern Memorial, the Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation and Children's Memorial Hospital.

He also has a specialty in sports medicine, serving as orthopaedic consultant for the Chicago Cubs since 1980 and team physician for the Chicago Bears from 1990 to 2001. Schafer currently serves as a member of the Major League Baseball Medical Advisory Committee.

Schafer has held leadership positions with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons where he serves on the board of directors. He served as a faculty member of the academy's Orthopaedic Educators' Course, developed and chaired the first Comprehensive Review Course for orthopaedic surgeons and has been a volunteer mentor in the Leadership Fellows Program since its inception.

Schafer completed undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Iowa, did his internship at Wesley Memorial Hospital in Chicago and residency at the Feinberg School, and joined the Feinberg faculty in 1974. He served two years as a Major in the U.S. Army where he earned a commendation medal for meritorious service.