Frank Schwab, MD, Named Vice Chair of the HSS Innovation Institute

NEW YORK, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) today announced the appointment of Frank Schwab, MD, Chief Emeritus of HSS's Spine service line, as the new Vice Chair of the HSS Innovation Institute. 

The HSS Innovation Institute, the commercialization arm of HSS, transforms novel ideas and HSS knowledge within the field of musculoskeletal health into technologies, products and solutions that improve people's lives. In his new role, Dr. Schwab will advance the institution's culture of innovation by advancing the bridge between clinician-scientists, industry partners and the Innovation Institute, which has recruited engineers, business analysts, lawyers and industry leaders who are experts in product development, patent protection, licensing, entrepreneurial activities and commercialization.

"The HSS Innovation Institute is how we are harnessing our advanced medical expertise, vast experience with complex care, and our 20 research laboratories, to create even better possibilities for musculoskeletal health worldwide," said Bryan T. Kelly, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director at HSS. "Dr. Schwab's leadership will help ensure that we fulfill our responsibility and opportunity to improve the treatment of conditions which affect more than 127 million Americans each year."

"We are honored to welcome Dr. Schwab to the Innovation Institute team," said Leonard Achan, RN, MA, ANP, Chief Innovation Officer at HSS. "As a clinician-scientist and an inventor, he understands the importance of building an infrastructure that continues to support our longstanding history of pioneering and commercializing innovations."

"I am looking forward to partnering with our innovation team, our clinicians, scientists and staff to leverage the work that has been done over the last several years," said Dr. Schwab. "Trust and value creation are key components to success. My goal is to further develop an environment where innovators trust and understand the value and expertise that the HSS Innovation Institute brings to the table — we are not just a tech transfer department, but an enthusiastic team that will guide them through the patent, regulatory and prototyping processes to become commercially successful."

Dr. Schwab was a founder of Nemaris, Inc., which developed dedicated spine measurement and surgical planning software used by physicians and researchers across the world and successfully merged with a global industry partner. He was a board member of the Scoliosis Research Society, served on several key committees and has won multiple awards for spine deformity research. Additionally, he is a leader and board member of the International Spine Study Group. Over the course of his career, Dr. Schwab has received multiple grants, published more than 200 original and review articles and given more than 400 presentations at scientific conferences. He remains committed to the education of students, researchers, residents and fellow surgeons, with an absolute focus on providing the very best care to patients.

"Leveraging the knowledge and clinical expertise of our physicians, researchers and engineers has helped HSS create value-based and patient-centered healthcare solutions for more than a century," said Louis A. Shapiro, HSS President and CEO.  "Together, Dr. Schwab and the entire innovation team will provide support to HSS innovators and other physician-scientists who have ideas ready to become impactful contributions to musculoskeletal health." 

About HSS

HSS is the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the tenth consecutive year), No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2019-2020), and named a leader in pediatric orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report "Best Children's Hospitals" list (2019-2020). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has one of the lowest infection rates in the country and was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center four consecutive times. The global standard total knee replacement was developed at HSS in 1969. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State. In addition, HSS will be opening a new facility in Florida in early 2020. In 2018, HSS provided care to 139,000 patients and performed more than 32,000 surgical procedures, and people from all 50 U.S. states and 80 countries travelled to receive care at HSS. There were more than 37,000 pediatric visits to the HSS Lerner Children's Pavilion for treatment by a team of interdisciplinary experts. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. The HSS Global Innovation Institute was formed in 2016 to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is the world's leading provider of education on musculoskeletal health, with its online learning platform offering more than 600 courses to more than 21,000 medical professional members worldwide. Through HSS Global Ventures, the institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu.

SOURCE Hospital for Special Surgery