In Memoriam

The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) lost one of its founders--and many of us lost a dear friend, trusted colleague and inspirational mentor--when on June 18, 2019 Denis Drummond passed on from this earth in Toronto, Canada. Denis’s career spanned the pivotal moment as the field of pediatric orthopaedics was being born.  His five decades of devotion to surgical innovation, groundbreaking research and unforgettable guidance/mentoring played an crucial role in the growth of our field.  Perhaps Denis’s greatest impact, however, was on his friends, colleagues and family, for whom his joy of life, positive energy and good old-fashion Irish wit enriched friendships and deepened his love for his family.  He is survived by his college sweetheart and loving wife of 60 years Joan, his 4 sons, 10 grandchildren and many pet dogs.
 
Born to Paul and Elizabeth Drummond on New Year’s Eve 1934 in Montreal, Denis was an avid hockey and football player. He matriculated to McGill University, where he met Joan Kimber, his beloved wife for over 60 years.  Denis received his BA (1957) and MD (1962) from McGill then did his orthopedic training at the University of Toronto, achieving an FRCS(C) in 1968.  After completing a pediatric orthopaedics fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street in 1969, Denis joined the Orthopaedic Surgery Department at McGill University and Shriner’s Hospital.  After 8 years in Montreal, he was recruited to be Director of Pediatric Orthopedics at the University of Wisconsin.  Seven years later, he was recruited to be Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at CHOP, which he led from 1985-1996 as Professor of Orthopaedics (Tenure track).  One of Denis’s greatest legacies at CHOP was starting the CHOP Pediatric Orthopaedic Fellowship, which has trained more than 60 pediatric orthopaedic surgeons to date. He generously shared his expertise internationally including time with CARE in Tunisia and after the major earthquake in Armenia. He was featured on the PBS show “Nova” as part of one of the very early teams separating conjoined twins.  Denis continued his clinical practice at CHOP until 2014, when he retired back to his native Canada, spending time at his summer home on the Saint Lawrence River (Metis sur Mer), with Joan, family and friends.   
 
Among Denis’s great career achievements was playing a key leadership role in forming POSNA. Denis was President of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Study Group in 1982.  In 1983, he was named Chair of the Merger Committee of Pediatric Orthopaedic Study Group and the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society.  He skillfully worked to navigate the merger process leading to the birth of POSNA. What previously were two independent organizations with fewer than 100 members has become POSNA, with nearly 1400 members.
 
Denis was known as a skilled surgeon, with a particular interest in spine deformity and pediatric cervical spine anomalies and injuries.  His pediatric spine thought-leadership was widely recognized, and included both implant design (he was co-holder of 6 patents), surgical technique improvement and outcomes research.  He published more than 180 original research studies, 42 chapters, and was a popular invited lecturer, serving in that role more than 50 times. Denis was also an active member of the SRS, serving on the SRS Board of Directors for 10 years, including his 2001-2 SRS Presidential year.  He was the co-recipient of the Hibbs Award for best paper (2006) and won the SRS Lifetime Achievement Award (2011).
 
One of Denis’s greatest lasting legacies will be the generation of young surgeons he advised. He was legendary for his mentoring, vetting ideas and very frankly critiquing project ideas, results and manuscripts; many owe their early career success to Denis’s commitment to teaching and mentorship.  His efforts were recognized by many teaching awards. At Wisconsin, he won the Okagaki Resident Teaching Award; Penn/CHOP honored him with teaching awards on six occasions (Nicholson Award or Dean’s Award).  Denis’s passion for teaching and mentoring young surgeons is honored each year with CHOP’s annual Denis Drummond Rising Star Visiting Professorship.  Initiated in 2016, the program offers an innovative young pediatric orthopaedic surgeon the opportunity to visit CHOP’s clinics and ORs and participate in lively interactive education and research sessions.
 
Denis Drummond left an amazing legacy— for his family, patients, trainees, institutions and organizations.  Ultimately, all of us whose lives were warmed and improved by Denis’s advice, humor, and joy will carry with us his inspiration to make lives better, as he did. 
 
 
John M. (Jack) Flynn, MD
John Dormans MD