"All of us want to leave an imprint on the world." Profound words spoken by Carole Raisbeck describe a lifelong goal of her late husband, Clifford C. Raisbeck Jr., MD, who received his bachelor's degree, medical degree, and residency training at Northwestern in the 1950s and 60s. Carole was present at the formal investiture of Wellington K. Hsu, MD, as the Clifford Raisbeck, MD, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery.

The Raisbeck Professorship was generously endowed by Dr. Raisbeck in 1995 to sustain excellence in education and research in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and to support the work of a promising faculty member like Dr. Hsu.

"When I asked Cliff why he decided to endow this professorship, he said that he wanted to leave a fingerprint at the school that he loved so much," said Carole.

Dr. Hsu holds joint appointments in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurological Surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He also serves as director of research for the Musculoskeletal Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He and his wife, Erin L. Hsu, PhD, research assistant professor in orthopaedic surgery at Feinberg, run the Laboratory for Regenerative Technologies.

Recognized as an international leader in the operative treatment of cervical and lumbar spinal disorders, Dr. Hsu's clinical areas of focus include minimally invasive degenerative spine surgery, cervical spine surgery, spine trauma/spinal cord injury, spine tumors, and spine infections. As a part of his clinical research program, Dr. Hsu founded the Professional Athlete Spine Initiative, which retrospectively studies clinical outcomes in elite professional athletes after spine surgery.

"Wellington is a complicated and complex individual. He has a gentle firmness about him—he is both socially aware and sensitive, making him a great teacher," said Thomas A. Zdeblick, MD, A. A. McBeath Professor and Chairman in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. Dr. Zdeblick served as Dr. Hsu's extoller.

He continued, "I am most proud of the fact that I had a hand in training him—a gifted doctor and an exceptionally loyal friend."

Dr. Hsu’s remarks were characterized by a humble theme--this isn’t about me. "This isn’t about me—it's about Clifford Raisbeck. He is well-known and beloved at Northwestern and it is truly an honor to be associated with his name. Carole, I offer my gratitude to you both for everything you’ve done for the medical school."

He went on to thank Michael F. Schafer, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at Northwestern Memorial and professor of orthopaedic surgery at Feinberg, Terrance D. Peabody, MD, Edwin Warner Ryerson Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and chair of the department at Feinberg and Northwestern Memorial, and many other mentors who have touched his career. Dr. Hsu recognized his wife, three daughters, and mother and two sisters, who travelled cross country to attend the event.

"This is a moment that will stay etched in my memory for as long as I live."

For more information on orthopaedic surgery at Northwestern Medicine, visit the department website.