Dr. Victor Hugo Hernandez Joins The Hip Society
The prestigious group recognizes orthopaedic surgeons and researchers who have provided unique insights that improve hip care.
Victor Hugo Hernandez, M.D., professor and chief of the Division of Arthroplasty and Adult Joint Reconstruction, was recently inducted into The Hip Society, an elite professional academic organization that recruits established orthopaedic surgeons and researchers who have provided unique insights that improve hip care.
Candidates are identified by current members and, after an initial review by the membership committee, may be invited to apply. The society is limited to 100 active members. In addition to sponsoring conferences and other meetings, the group funds orthopaedic research and supports other initiatives.
“This honor is pretty emotional for me because this is the most important professional organization in hip surgery,” said Dr. Hernandez. “The main focus is to advance research to improve hip surgery outcomes, including hip replacements and preservation. You can’t even apply for membership. It’s only by invitation, and the requirements are incredibly stringent.”
The Best and Brightest in Orthopaedics
The Hip Society is looking for the best and brightest physicians and scientists to move the field forward. Candidates undergo a rigorous review. To qualify, an orthopaedic surgeon must demonstrate professional leadership, respect for colleagues and high ethical standards.
Nominees must also have performed at least 100 hip surgeries per year for the previous three years, including a significant number of complex cases with positive outcomes. They must have published at least 10 papers in high-impact journals during the previous three years, criteria Dr. Hernandez easily meets.
Dr. Hernandez and colleagues are actively studying how glucose control affects surgical outcomes, as well as new approaches to make orthopaedic surgery less physically demanding. In addition, he has embraced technologies, such as augmented reality, that can improve surgical precision.
“I hope to grow my knowledge and keep contributing to the society in terms of research and advances,” said Dr. Hernandez. “At UM, we have unique research setting that combines basic science with clinical studies. We’re working closely with our department of biomedical engineers, as well as our clinical lab. Right now, we have around 25 clinical trials running on hip replacement.”
Sharing Ideas and Culture
The Hip Society is a nexus for new advances and technologies. Members serve their patients and profession by participating in the society’s educational activities and continuing to advance their research.
“That allows me to bring back knowledge and new approaches and share them throughout the university to provide better care for patients and train young doctors and orthopaedic surgeons,” said Dr. Hernandez.
In the coming years, Dr. Hernandez will explore how surgeons can improve their technique and provide better care. In fact, Dr. Hernandez will be hitting the ground running, presenting at an upcoming conference only weeks after his induction.
“I was invited to run one of the first meetings the society has done in Orlando, and the session will be in Spanish for Latin American and Hispanic participants,” he said. “It’s an honor to be part of The Hip Society and bring this kind of diversity to their programs.”
Tags: Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Victor H. Hernandez, Orthopaedic surgery, total hip replacement, USNWR Ortho