ISAKOS Memorials

Paolo Aglietti, MD 1942-2013

Paolo Aglietti was born in the small village of Fucecchio, Italy. Paolo will be remembered for his numerous contributions to knee surgery. He was Professor and Chief of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the University of Florence. . Paolo was a founding member of both the Italian Arthroscopy Society (SIC) and the Italian Society of Knee Surgery (SICG). He promoted the integration of the Italian knee, cartilage and sports trauma societies under the newly founded Italian Society of Knee Surgery, Arthroscopy, Sports Traumatology, Cartilage and Orthopaedic Technologies (SIGASCOT). His study on "New Patellar Prosthesis" is still considered a keystone paper. He was President of The International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Traumatology (ISAKOS) in 2007-2009. In the summer season, during his precious free time away from the rigors of his academic commitments, he enjoyed sailing in the Mediterranean with his wife, Chiara.

Allen F. Anderson, MD 1949-2017

Born on November 16, 1949, Anderson was a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He completed a residency in orthopedics at Vanderbilt University and was certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in general orthopedics with an added qualification for Sports Medicine. He was a sports medicine specialist with an interest in knee injury and ligament reconstruction. Anderson received a patent for the invention of a pediatric ACL reconstruction system. He received numerous awards and was recognized as: America's Top Physicians 2004-2012 from Consumer's Research Council, Elected to Best Doctors in America by peers 2007-2008, and Nashville Business Journal Top Doctor 2016-2017. Anderson was an active ISAKOS Member since 1994 and served on many ISAKOS Committees since 1999. Most recently, he was a Member at Large for the ISAKOS Board of Directors. He also previously served as President of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and as the Associate Editor of the Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine and The American Journal of Sports Medicine. His greatest joy was spending time with his beloved wife, Candy, and their three sons; Brian, David and Chris. He leaves behind 5 grandchildren: Evie, Ben, Eleanor, Caroline, and Francis Allen. Dr. Anderson will be missed greatly by all.

Kenneth E. DeHaven, MD USA 1939-2021

Ken DeHaven MD, revolutionized the use of arthroscopy in the United States. He was Professor of Orthopaedics until his retirement in 2012, when he was appointed Professor Emeritus. In the early 1970s, DeHaven, a lifelong athlete, began using minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery to diagnose and repair knee injuries in athletes. He was one of the pioneers of sports medicine and arthroscopy, and despite being a giant in the field, he was a humble and gracious man. He was always very patient, always willing to spend the extra time explaining things to young athletes and their families. For faculty and trainees, he was an impactful role model, a kind man, a genuine friend and mentor. A testament to his incredible commitment and leadership skills, DeHaven is the only person to serve as a past president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the International Society of the Knee (a parent society to ISAKOS) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and daughter Kathleen. The DeHavens are predeceased by their son, David.

Harold R. Eikelaar MD, PhD 1935-2022

Harold Eikelaar was born in 1935 in the southern town of Breda, Netherlands. He studied and graduated from the Latin University of Groningen. In Groningen, he met the love of his life, his wife Catharina. Harold, a moral man with great empathy, set out to improve lives, ease suffering and if possible, cure patients. He saw the huge potential in arthroscopy of the knee and published his dissertation in the 1970s. He worked under Bob Jackson and met fellow pioneer, Jack McGinty. He regarded Jackson not only as his best friend, but as his true brother. Together with Jackson and McGinty, Harold became a Founding Member of AANA in 1981. From 1993 to 1995, he served as the last President of the International Arthroscopy Association. His dissertation, Arthroscopy of the Knee, earned him the prestigious “Mathijsen Prize” in the Netherlands--which, until then, had not been awarded in decades. As an Honorary Member of the Dutch Association of Arthroscopy, he personally awarded the annual “Eikelaar Prize” to acknowledge and support the most promising academic research by young orthopaedic surgeons. He devoted his spare time to the love for his wife, Catharina, his 4 children, and 11 grandchildren. Harold was an integral pioneer in our field and will be greatly missed.

John A. Feagin, MD 1934-2019

John A. Feagin was born on May 9, 1934. He was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and received his medical degree from Duke University. Feagin was an active ISAKOS Member since the Society's creation in 1995 and became an Honorary Member in 2013. He was also president and founding member of AOSSM as well as co-founder of the society's Traveling Fellowship Program. He also founded the ACL Study Group. Feagin was a remarkable person with much global impact and influence. He valued cooperation and the idea of collaborating together to find solutions-this was his way of bringing people together. Along with his successes as organizer, John was an extraordinary gentleman-teaching and inspiring young sports medicine students and doctors who were eager to learn from his scientific experience and wisdom.

Peter J. Fowler MD, FRCSC CANADA 1938-2022

Fowler was the first orthopaedic surgical resident at the University of Western Ontario, under the mentorship of the late Dr. Jack Kennedy. He spent his career at Western University as a full professor in the Schulich School of Medicine. In 1995, the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic opened. That same year, Fowler was elected the first president of ISAKOS, and went on to become an Honorary member in 2006. Fowler was also the president of AOSSM—one of only three Canadians to hold that position. He was a founding member and president of the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine and in 2018, was appointed to The Order of Canada to honor his pioneering work. Beyond orthopaedics, Fowler was an award-winning swimmer and represented Canada at two Pan-Am Games, bringing home a silver medal. He served his country as Chief Medical Officer for the Canadian Olympic Team in Calgary and at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. Fowler was an esteemed educator, mentor and researcher. He was a kind and caring individual who will truly be missed.

Learn more about Dr. Fowler's life and achievements as Ned Amendola, USA interviews Dr. Peter Fowler for ISAKOS's first ever Giants in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine episode (2020).

Freddie H. Fu, MD 1950-2021

Friend to all, Freddie Fu, MD, was an ISAKOS member since its creation in 1995 and served as President from 2009-2011. A David Silver Professor and Chair of the UPMC Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery and head team physician for the Pitt Athletic Department, Fu was a much-beloved mentor and giant in orthopaedic sports medicine. He repaired the knees of thousands of patients and published papers that were cited more than 60,000 times. Born in Hong Kong, Fu came to the USA to attend Dartmouth, and in 1975 earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh. At Dartmouth, he played on the school’s champion ping pong team, served on the Chinese and International student associations, and in 1974 earned an undergraduate degree in biology. He founded the UPMC sports medicine program in 1986 and helped design the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. In 2016, the Pittsburgh City Council declared September 13 as “Dr. Freddie Fu Day.” In 2018, the Rooney medical building was renamed as the UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center. In constant pursuit of improving ACL surgery techniques, Fu studied fossils and even conducted surgery on a Pittsburgh Zoo monkey who was experiencing knee pain. The result was his famous “double-bundle” knee repair technique. A study in OJSM found that Fu had published more of the top-100 cited papers on ACL reconstruction than anyone else in the world. Known for his stylish and attention-grabbing attire, Fu was known worldwide as a brilliant orthopaedic surgeon and a leader in the field—one who treated high-level athletes and everyday patients equally. Though constantly working and traveling, he always found time for his family and hobbies and passions, such as photography and theater. Fu was a vibrant light—always learning, thinking, teaching, and doing something to make life better for his patients, trainees and the community. His impact throughout the world is monumental and he leaves behind a remarkable legacy. Fu is survived by his wife of 47 years, Hilda Pang Fu; his daughter, Joyce Lok-See Fu; son, Gordon Ka-Hong Fu; and five grandchildren.

Jan I. Gillquist, MD 1934-2016

Jan Gillquist, MD, was born in Sweden in 1934. He received his medical degree in 1960 and a PhD in 1969, both from Karolinska Institute in Sweden. He served on staff at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at University Hospital, Linkoping, Sweden. Dr. Gillquist, together with Ejnar Eriksson, were the "Fathers of Arthroscopy" in Europe. They started developing education courses in the beginning of the 1970's. He was the only person to be president of both IAA (International Arthroscopy Association) and ISK (International Society of the Knee). He organized the IAA/ISK combined meeting in Copenhagen in 1993, preceding the start of ISAKOS in 1995. Around 2002, he and his wife, Karola, retired from academic life and started the award-winning "Garden of Love". The garden covers roughly six acres, complete with thousands of roses and sculptures of Adam and Eve.

Pau Golanó, MD 1964-2014

ISAKOS Member since 2001, Dr. Golanó was a great surgeon and friend to many. He was a brilliant Professor of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Barcelona, and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Golanó leaves behind a legacy with his exceptional anatomical dissection skills and passion for education. In May 2014, Dr. Golanó was honored with the Most Dedicated Individual Award at the 16th ESSKA Congress in Amsterdam. His talents have greatly helped to shape and advance our industry. In addition to being a world-renowned surgical anatomist, Dr. Golanó spent his spare time as photographer and illustrator. Pau Golanó was an admirable individual and will truly be missed.

William A. Grana, MD, MPH 1942-2013

William A. Grana, was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, USA and graduated from Harvard medical School. Grana was part of the Orthopaedic department at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center where he did extensive research on artificial knee ligaments. In 1983, he founded the state's first multidisciplinary sports medicine facility, Oklahoma Center for Athletes. In 2000, he became the University of Arizona College of Medicine's first department head of Orthopaedic Surgery. He was past president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. Even retired of his Faculty position, he was very active in Orthopaedic Education until his passing on February 1, 2013. ISAKOS remembers his important participation to our field of interest.

Philippe P. Hardy MD, PhD, Prof. 1958-2017

Philippe Hardy was the Head of the Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department of Ambroise Paré and Raymond Poincaré University Hospitals, West Paris University. He was a renowned surgeon, an enthusiastic teacher, and a dynamic scientist. He was a true leader and a one of a kind mentor-supportive of his fellows and always challenging them, all while cultivating friendships. The residents and fellows who were lucky enough to work with him were proudly known as "The Hardy's Boys". Philippe was involved in the French Society of Arthroscopy (2003-2005 President), ESSKA, AANA, SECEC, and of course, ISAKOS. He loved to collaborate with his international friends as well as learn from them. He instilled in all the importance of learning from different countries around the world. His pride was his family-his wife, Marie Hélène, and his children Victoire, William, Edouard and Alexandre. He was a lighthouse in our field, and will surely be missed.

Robert W. Jackson, MD 1932-2010

Robert W. Jackson was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1932. Bob was greatly loved and admired for his integrity, decency, humble demeanor, and sharp yet gentle wit. Bob started Wheel Chair Sports in Canada in 1966 and was also the Canadian Olympic Consultant for the 1964 Olympics in Japan. In 1994, he was honored by Sports Illustrated magazine as one of the 40 individuals who had most dramatically elevated and altered the games we play and watch by introducing arthroscopic surgery to the western world. He was a Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto and Chief of Orthopedics at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He was also appointed Professor of Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

René Konrad Marti, MD 1939-2018

René Marti, MD was born in Switzerland in 1939. In September 1973, at the age of 34, Marti was asked to head the Orthopaedic Department of the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. René was considered the founder of the Amsterdam School of Orthopedic Surgery, with excellence in Sports and Trauma. Internationally, Marti was famous for his well-documented, long term follow-up, patient-based lectures on knee surgery; including trauma and osteotomies. He served as President of the ISK (International Society of the Knee) preceding the start of ISAKOS in 1995. René was also the founder of the Marti-Keuning-Eckhardt Foundation for the benefit of orthopaedic research and artwork. He retired from his academic career in 2004, but stayed active in the Klinik Gut in Sankt Moritz for a few additional years. Marti had a passion for collecting art (www.marticollection.com) and enjoyed traveling with his wife Doris. Rene was a charismatic man, a warmhearted doctor and a great surgeon. He was an inspiration to patients and colleagues.

John B. McGinty, MD 1930-2019

John "Jack" McGinty, MD was a pioneer in the field of arthroscopy. McGinty was born in Jamaica Plains, Massachusetts and graduated from Boston Latin school and Harvard University. He went to medical school at Tufts followed by Yale surgery and Harvard orthopaedic residencies. He also served as chief of orthopaedics in the US Army in the 1960's. McGinty was the first person to put a video camera on an arthroscope and connect it to a TV for viewing. His research on partial versus complete meniscectomy's revolutionized the treatment of torn cartilage in the knee. In 1981 he helped establish the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) and became its first president. From 1984 to 1987, McGinty served as President of the International Arthroscopy Association (IAA). In 1990 he was elected president of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS) and spearheaded the development of the Orthopaedic Learning Center in Chicago. He published the first textbook on "Operative Arthroscopy" on all joints in 1991. An Active ISAKOS member since ISAKOS' beginning, McGinty was made an ISAKOS Honorary member in 2001 during the ISAKOS Congress in Montreux. Known for his "Irish wit", McGinty loved golf, sailing and spending time with his family. He is survived by his first wife, Beth, and their three children, Kathy, Ellen, and John, as well as his second wife Ro and son, Ryan.

Dr. James S. Mulhollan 1941-2013

James S. Mulhollan was born in in Fort Smith, USA, in 1941. He was a prominent knee surgeon in Little Rock, Arkansas. In the late 70's, Dr. Mulhollan recognized the arthroscope's potential to help patients overcome common knee problems without invasive procedures, and decided to bring it to Arkansas. In 1979, he established a solo practice called Arkansas Knee Clinic. Dr. Mulhollan was recognized as one of knee arthroscopy's foremost practitioners. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Arthroscopy Association of North America, taught courses around the country, and held five US patents for surgical devices used in the procedure. He retired having performed more than 10,000 cases of arthroscopic knee surgery.

Hans H. Päessler, MD 1940-2018

ISAKOS Member since 1994, Päessler was born in 1940 in Dresden, Germany. He was knee surgeon and college lecturer who published three books, made numerous book contributions, including more than 200 journal publications. From 1978 to 1992, he was chief of surgery and traumatology at the county hospital in Bopfingen. Päessler was also vice president of the Collège Européenne de Traumatologie du Sport before becoming chief of the Sportklinik Stuttgart until 1993. That year, he co-founded the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopedic Sports Traumatology (EFOST). After 1993, Päessler became an attending physician at the Atos Praxisklinik in Heidelberg, where he was also medical director. He founded the German internet platforms www.vorsicht-operation.de and www.medexo.com -- which offers patients second medical opinions. Known for always being immensely positive and enthusiastic, he will remembered as being a visionary in his field. Päessler leaves behind two daughters, Samantha and Virginie, and siblings Barbara, Klaus and Michael.

Dr. Baskaran Subramaniam 1969-2013

Dr. Baskaran Subramaniam was born in 1969 in Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia. He was a well known surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu. He was particularly experienced in total joint surgery and sports medicine, specializing in Rugby. He had established clinics and did arthroplasty surgery in places like Keningau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Tawau and Labuan. Dr. Subramaniam also helped start a clinic with PERKESO that rehabilitated workers who had sustained a work place injury. He was an ISAKOS Member and was well liked by coleagues. He leaves behind a loving wife and three children.

Willem M. van der Merwe MBChB, FCS(SA)Ortho 1960-2025

Willem Mare van der Merwe was ISAKOS President from 2019–2021 and guided ISAKOS through the challenges of the pandemic, leaving a lasting impact on the organization and the field of sports medicine. A renowned surgeon, he cared for elite athletes, including the South African rugby captain, whose ACL reconstruction helped secure a Rugby World Cup victory. Beyond medicine, van der Merwe was a first-class cricketer, an Oxford scholar, and a passionate golfer and wine enthusiast who embraced life fully. He was a dedicated mentor, colleague, and friend, embodying the ISAKOS spirit of collaboration. Willem is survived by his beloved wife, Suzie, and their three children. His absence leaves a profound void, but his legacy will be cherished by all who knew him.