“The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.” – Sir William Osler[i]
Freddie H. Fu, M.D. is a great physician.
Many have mused about what makes the indefatigable Freddie Fu tick. Few have known…but we think we found Dr. Fu’s secret (and superpower).
Freddie H. Fu, M.D., chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) for 21 years, appreciates nature in all its forms. Whether in the stunning beauty of a Hawaiian sunset or in the individualized complexity of any given anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), Dr. Fu finds reason to inquire and dig deeper.
A recent study in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that the top journal and top author publishing on the ACL were The American Journal of Sports Medicine and Freddie H. Fu, who published 378 articles—2% of all articles published on the subject.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Freddie Fu, one of five children, attended high school at the famed St. Paul’s College where he played basketball, helping guide his team to the number one spot in Hong Kong. When not on the court he was playing guitar in a rock band and dreaming of his future.
Dr. Fu: “I left Hong Kong at the age of 18 to attend undergraduate at Dartmouth in New Hampshire, where I remained for medical school and married my lovely wife, Hilda. As they had only a two-year program at the time, in 1975 I moved to the University of Pittsburgh to complete my M.D. It was then that I came into contact with the inimitable Dr. Albert Ferguson Jr., who holds the record of training more orthopedic chairs than anyone in world. Because I had a history of team sports, and because Dr. Ferguson was so impressive, I ‘landed’ in orthopedics.”
After an orthopedic residency and a fellowship in orthopedic research, Dr. Fu also undertook an internship in general surgery at Brown University and an international fellowship at the Hanover Trauma Center in Germany. “I completed my formal training in 1982 and joined the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine faculty as an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery and director of sports medicine. Although I was increasingly interested in sports medicine, I did the full gamut of orthopedics during that time—trauma, pediatrics, you name it.”
Dr. Fu, who at that point was on call every third night, apparently wasn’t busy enough. “I began covering local high school teams, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and then became chairman of the board and executive medical director of the Pittsburgh marathon.”
Dr. Fu’s secret power source is his infinite love for his fellow man!
I would very much have Dr Fu examine my knee. I broke my patella and was placed back together with screws and cage. No weight for 6 months than unable to bend for 2to3 months now hardware out since May 12? And I have a subluxation of kneecap now. With a definite patellar Baja causing some limited ROM and discomfort would u be willing to see me for a second opinion I was referred by Dr Sami Sehayik in Palm Beach Florida. I am young and a RN. I want to work. Thank you Oh Great Doctor. Hope to hear from you