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David Leonard Helfet, M.B., Ch.B.

Orthopedic Surgery
Insurances Accepted

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Personal Statement

DAVID L. HELFET, M.D. was born in Cape Town, Republic of South Africa on June 17, 1947. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Cape Town, receiving a BSc in Biochemistry with honors, followed by Medical School, where he received a M.B.CH.B. degree in 1975. Internship and Surgical Residency were completed at Edendale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, S.A. (1 yr) and at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) in Baltimore, MD., followed by Orthopaedic Residency also at Johns Hopkins University (3 yrs), then fellowships at the University of Bern, Insel Hospital (1981) and at UCLA (1981-82). He was Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1/82 - 6/86), Associate Professor and Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma at the University of S. Florida School of Medicine/Tampa General Hospital (7/86-6/91) and at the Cornell University Medical College (7/91 - 6/98). He is currently Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Director of the Combined Orthopaedic Trauma Service at both the Hospital for Special Surgery and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He has published and lectured extensively on Orthopaedic Trauma but especially on Fractures of the Pelvis and Acetabulum and has been the recipient of many honors, awards and visiting lectureships including the Presidential Guest and Watson-Jones Memorial Lecture of the British Orthopaedic Association in 1994. He has served on several committees of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the AO/ASIF Foundation (currently the Chair of AO Documentation and Publishing), AO North America and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery among others. In addition, Dr. Helfet has been extensively involved in the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, including as President (1998-1999) and is still on its Board as a past President.

 

Biographical Info

DAVID L. HELFET, M.D. was born in Cape Town, Republic of South Africa on June 17, 1947.

He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Cape Town, receiving a BSc in Biochemistry with honors, followed by Medical School, where he received a M.B.CH.B. degree in 1975. Internship and Surgical Residency were completed at Edendale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, S.A. (1 yr) and at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) in Baltimore, MD., followed by Orthopaedic Residency also at Johns Hopkins University (3 yrs), then fellowships at the University of Bern, Insel Hospital (1981) and at UCLA (1981-82).

 

He was Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1/82 - 6/86), Associate Professor and Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma at the University of S. Florida School of Medicine/Tampa General Hospital (7/86-6/91) and at the Cornell University Medical College (7/91 - 6/98). He is currently Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Director of the Combined Orthopaedic Trauma Service at both the Hospital for Special Surgery and New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

 

He has published and lectured extensively on Orthopaedic Trauma but especially on Fractures of the Pelvis and Acetabulum and has been the recipient of many honors, awards and visiting lectureships including the Presidential Guest and Watson-Jones Memorial Lecture of the British Orthopaedic Association in 1994.

 

He has served on several committees of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the AO/ASIF Foundation (currently the Chair of AO Documentation and Publishing), AO North America and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery among others. In addition, Dr. Helfet has been extensively involved in the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, including as President (1998-1999) and is still on its Board as a past President.

Honors and Awards

"Outstanding Professor Award" (Voted by the Residents/Fellows) Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of South Florida. 1987 - 1988

Best Paper Award Eastern Orthopaedic Association. 1989

Edward Bovill Award/ Best Paper Orthopaedic Trauma Association. 1989

Best Paper Award Eastern Orthopaedic Association. 1990

Best Resident Paper Florida Orthopaedic Society. 1990

Best Overall Paper Florida Orthopaedic Society. 1990

Selected Highlight Paper Orthopaedic Trauma Association . 1990

Edward Bovill Award/ Best Paper Orthopaedic Trauma Association 1994

Presidential Guest British Orthopaedic Association 1994

Watson-Jones Memorial Lecture British Orthopaedic Association 1994

Philip D. Wilson Jr. Teaching Award Hospital for Special Surgery 1995

(Voted by the Residents)

Presidential Guest Israel Orthopaedic Association 1995

Presidential Guest Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie 2000 (German Orthopaedic Trauma Association)

Board Certifications
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Clinical Expertise
Fractures
Pelvis Acetabulum Fracture
Malunion and Nonunion Fractures
Orthopaedic Trauma
Fracture of Pelvis
Languages
English
Education 
  • M.B.,Ch.B.
    University of Cape Town Faculty of Medicine (South Africa)
    1975
Appointments 
  • Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
    Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
  • Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon
    Hospital for Special Surgery
  • Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon
    NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

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No External Relationships Reported