Michael Baumgaertner, MD
Biography
Research & Publications
Patient Care
News
Locations
Appointments
Biography
Michael R. Baumgaertner, M.D., is fracture surgeon who is Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation. He serves as Chief of the Orthopaedic Trauma Service at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he has practiced for more than 25 years, treating patients with severe fractures, fracture complications, and worn out joints.
Following a childhood in Minnesota, Dr. Baumgaertner graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Art History. He attended the University of California (San Diego) Medical School as a Regent’s Scholar where he earned his M.D. He then did his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of California (San Francisco), following that he completed a one-year fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. He joined the Faculty of the Yale School of Medicine in 1988.
Dr. Baumgaertner’s landmark 1995 publication on hip fracture fixation performed at Yale initiated his international recognition. The measurement he described at that time has been validated repeatedly and remains the universal standard. He has authored numerous original articles and chapters in orthopaedic textbooks. He has lectured and taught residents in training and practicing surgeons on five continents optimal surgical fracture care.
He has served as Chairperson of Education for both the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and AO North America, was elected President of AONA, and served as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors. of AO North America, a non-profit organization of more than 1000 surgeons that is dedicated to the optimal care of patients with fractures and/or deformity. He is a Trustee of the AO Foundation, an international group of more than 15000 surgeons, and is currently serving as Chair of the AO Trauma International Board.
His academic career notwithstanding, Dr. Baumgaertner is a surgeon dedicated to the recovery of his injured patients: Providing technically expert surgical repair, as well as the education and counseling necessary to heal not only the patient’s fracture, but also the lifestyle.
Education & Training
- guest AOfellowAO Center Kantonspital, (1989)
- FellowUniversity of Massachusetts Medical Center (1988)
- ResidentUniversity of California at San Francisco (1987)
- ResidentUniversity of California, San Francisco (1984)
- MDUniversity of California, San Diego (1982)
- ABStanford University, Art History (1978)
Activities
- AOSurgery Reference (AOSR)Executive Editors Annual MeetingReykjavík, Iceland 2017Review/ assess budget new and recurring projects within AOSR
- Nonunion Management, AO Education, Proximal Femur FracturesMontreal, QC, Canada 2017Graduation weekend
- Korea 43rd Annual meeting of Korean Fracture SocietyGyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea 2017Keynote lectures 1) Managing Femoral Trochanteric Fractures, 2) Mechanical causes of Nonunion
- AOTNA Basic Principles of Fracture Management Course “Unique learning resources of the AO Foundation”Dallas, TX, United States 2017Lecture “Unique learning resources of the AO Foundation” and coaching for the faculty
- AOFoundation/AOTrauma Masters Course- Complications International facultyMumbai, MH, India 20161) “Violation of AO principles;” 2) “Osteoporotic fractures around the knee 3) Chairperson, Faculty coaching program
- Pro-CBarcelona, CT, Spain 2016Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) Conference
- 42nd Annual Japanese Society of Fracture Repair annual meeting, AOT SeminarTokyo, Tokyo, Japan 2016Invited Keynote lecture “Management of Trochanteric Fractures”
- XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Trauma OrtopedicoMaceió, AL, Brazil 20161)Tips and technical tricks for trochanteric fractures; 2) Prevention and treatment of tibia shaft malunion; 3)Salvage of mismanaged proximal femur fractures.
- AO Lower Extremity master's CourseSão Paulo, SP, Brazil 2015Invited International guest to teach at regional psycho-motor fracture management course
- AOTrauma Advanced Fracture Care Management CourseWuhan, Hubei, China 2012International invited faculty to teach advance fracture management principles
- AO Master's Fracture Managagement courseAgra, UP, India 2008International invited faculty to teach advance fracture management principles
- Visiting Consultant Surgeon Middlemore HospitalAuckland, Auckland, New Zealand (2002-2003)Sabatical work in Auckland, NZ
- AONA Algower Traveling FellowshipBern, BE, Switzerland; Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom; Los Angeles, CA, United States (1997-1998)Competitive award to work in Trauma Centers of excellence for up to 3 months
- AO Fellow & Illizarov fellowChur, GR, Switzerland; Lecco, Lombardy, Italy 1989learned advanced fracture care techniques
Honors & Recognition
| Award | Awarding Organization | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Distinguished Clinical Career Award | Yale School of Medicine and Yale Medicine | 2022 |
Professional Service
| Organization | Role | Date |
|---|---|---|
| GLOBAL AO FOUNDATION dedicated to optimal care of musculoskeletal trauma | I have served this global organization for 25+ years with increasing responsibilities, and will continue to do so. Initially as a teacher and subsequently course organizer & developer and now focused on developing faculty skills. I serve as a Trustee of the AO Foundation, Executive Editor of the AOTrauma Surgical Reference and am currently Chair of the AOTrauma International Board, among other duties. | 1989 - 2017 |
| AO North America | Joining as a participant then faculty then Education Committee member then Chair, ultimately becoming President of AONA from 2011-15 I now serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of AONA, a 501(c)3 and 501(c)6 based in PA, it is the regional representation of the AOFoundation in US and provides education and career opportunities for all medical professionals involved in the care of musculoskeletal injury. | 1988 - 2017 |