When you ask friends and former colleagues about hip and knee replacement pioneer David S. Hungerford, M.D., 80, who passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2019 from complications of brain cancer related to melanoma, the three words that pop up the most are innovation, education and service. From his pioneering work in hip and knee replacement to his dedication to teaching and his philanthropic works, Hungerford will always be remembered for his generous spirit.
Here is a beautiful video that was produced by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons on the occasion of Dr. Hungerford receiving the prestigious AAOS Humanitarian award.
His Life & Work
Hungerford was born in Rochester, New York, to Samuel Hungerford, a school principal and his wife, Marjorie, and then raised in Sodus, New York. It was a serious burn injury as a child that inspired him to become a doctor.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University, he studied neurophysiology at the Institut Claude Bernard in Paris as a U.S. Public Health Service postgraduate fellow.
And then back in the U.S., he earned his medical degree at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and completed an internship and surgical residency at Strong Memorial Hospital at the University of Rochester.
Between 1966 and 1969, while with the Army Medical Corps, he worked in Germany, and also performed orthopedic surgery at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, England.
Hungerford first joined the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1972 as a resident in orthopedic surgery. He also joined the faculty of John Hopkins University School of Medicine where he became full professor in 1986.
During his time at Johns Hopkins Hospital, he was chief of the scoliosis clinic and chief of the division of arthritis surgery. He also established an orthopedic surgery practice at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where he led his team as the chief of orthopedic surgery.
Known for his unrelenting commitment to relieving his patients’ suffering and for becoming friends with many of them, it is no surprise that many generous contributions from his patients and others led to a professorship and chair in orthopedic surgery in his name at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2000. He was also named professor emeritus by the Hopkins University Board of Trustees in 2014.
While he retired from both Johns Hopkins and Good Samaritan in 2011 after 38 years of service, Hungerford continued to play a significant role in orthopedic surgery and in missionary work. In 2013, he received the Humanitarian Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons for his outstanding humanitarian service.
Good Samaritan Hospital’s President Brad Chambers said in an official statement, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. David Hungerford, orthopedic surgeon and beloved husband and father. His medical career spanned several decades, and he was a pioneer for innovation in orthopedic surgery, developing a porous-coated anatomic artificial knee replacement with medical engineer, Robert Kenna. The technology enabled patients to grow bone cells that fit with their prosthesis and provided better mobility.”
He added, “He leaves a tremendous legacy at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. His life-long desire to relieve suffering prompted him to continually seek new treatment methods and investigate innovative ways to bring healing and comfort to his patients.”
Michael A. Mont, M.D., vice president of strategic initiatives for orthopaedic surgery and chief of joint reconstruction at Northwell Health in New York, who was a direct partner of Hungerford for over a dozen years told OTW, “He was a truly great clinician, surgeon, teacher, innovator, and researcher. Over a greater than 40-year career, he taught hundreds of residents and fellows and left a great lasting impression on all of them.”
I was fortunate to have been a Hungerford/Krackow fellow back in 1991. David taught surgeons of all levels not just how to operate but how to think as a surgeon. Every action had a purpose and he extended that dogmatic approach to other aspects of patient care while maintaining a most human touch. He was a scientist who manifested great compassion and faith. Even his approach to golf had a scientific flair which made it so fun. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to know him and will miss him greatly, Ted Firestone MD
I remember hometown hero, David Hungerford, from my formative years growing up in Sodus, NY, and am saddened to hear of his passing. May he have favorable tailwinds enroute to his final destination.
Dr. Hungerford was my commanding officer in Amberg, Germany in 1967. I remember him as a very good man.
It is obvious that he made a lasting impression on my, as I still remember working with him 53 years later.