Dr. Paul D. Choi passed on January 26, 2018 after a hard fought battle with lymphoma at the age of 47 years. Paul was a graduate of Stanford University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He earned his medical degree at Washington University in St. Louis and orthopedic residency at the University of California in San Francisco. Paul achieved his pediatric orthopedic surgery fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) at the University of Southern California, where he served as a faculty surgeon for over a decade, leading the Hip Preservation program. He recently joined the faculty at Shriners for Children Medical Center in Pasadena, CA. As a colleague, mentor and partner, he was just the best. He shined as an amazing clinician, a talented and skilled surgeon, a beloved teacher and an unparalleled mentor. While the orthopedic surgical community will miss his countless hours in clinics, his contributions at conferences and his surgical collaborations, Paul’s patients will certainly miss a selfless and generous physician who always delivered the highest standards of care.
Paul was an accomplished academician, with a few dozens of articles, book chapters and presentations. He was a very active member of POSNA and helped lead our efforts in quality improvement initiatives, serving the mission to improve the orthopedic care of children across the globe. In the same vein, Paul was also a proud Air Force veteran, serving our country with exemplary honor.
More importantly, Paul was a great friend, the type that is very hard to find. Paul’s quiet and thoughtful demeanor came with a happy, kind, insightful and faithful side. He was a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed.
Of all these accomplishments, he was definitely most proud of his family. Paul is survived by his wife, 2-year old son, and soon-to-be-born daughter, as well as his beloved mother and brother.