MD, PhD, FRCS(C), Professor of Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States Of America

Shawn O’Driscoll is Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. He moved from Toronto, Canada to Rochester in 1992. He had an active shoulder and elbow surgical practice for over 30 years, was founder and Course Director of the Mayo Clinic, “Teach the Teachers” Advanced Surgical Skills Elbow Course clinical and basic science research program and for 25 years, and continues to direct his elbow-focused basic science and clinical research program.

Having completed his Ph.D. in 1984 under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Salter, he has been a pioneer in the field of tissue engineering as it pertains to cartilage repair. Although retired from clinical practice, his research and teaching efforts are focused exclusively on elbow and shoulder surgery and he continues to make numerous contributions in these areas which have been adopted worldwide. These include the Congruent Elbow Plating System, the Anatomic Radial Head prosthesis and the Latitude linkable Total Elbow Prosthesis. Dr. O’Driscoll has developed a step-wise safety-driven technique that has proven highly effective in reducing the incidence of iatrogenic nerve injury during elbow arthroscopy. He has also been a pioneer in elucidating the mechanisms of elbow fracture dislocation and elbow instability and he has devised a functional fracture classification system to guide the management of coronoid fractures. He has lectured extensively across six continents and is also well known due to his numerous publications, with the majority dealing with surgery and treatment of the elbow as well as cartilage repair. He is recognized as a leading authority in elbow surgery and research. To provide hope for current and future patients in need, he endeavours to lead the orthopedic community in its efforts to improve the treatment of people with diseased and damaged joints by conducting the highest level of research to advance the knowledge regarding how joints can be repaired and by educating physicians and scientists throughout the medical community regarding the scientific basis, clinical relevance and translational nature of this research. 

Shawn is an avid photographer, outdoor enthusiast and cyclist. He has kayaked the Grand Canyon, often visits the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area and has twice completed segments of the Tour de France. When not at home, in the hospital, leading bible study, or on the lecture circuit, you are likely to find him cycling or traveling with his family.