Former CTSI KL2 scholar named as interim chair for Orthopaedic surgery at UCLA

UCLA CTSI congratulates Dr. Nicholas Bernthal on new appointments in Orthopaedic Surgery

On April 30, UCLA Health announced the appointment of Nicholas M. Bernthal, MD—a former CTSI KL2 scholar—as Interim Chair and Executive Medical Director of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, effective May 1, 2021. Dr. Bernthal will be taking over for Dr. Francis Hornicek, who will begin a new position at the University of Miami.

Dr. Bernthal is Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Orthopaedic Oncology, and holds the Jeffrey J. Eckardt, MD, Term Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery. After earning his undergraduate degree magna cum laude at Princeton University and his medical degree with Alpha Omega Alpha election at Cornell University, Dr. Bernthal was trained in orthopaedic surgery at UCLA, including a year of research during which he developed a transgenic mouse model of arthroplasty infection. 

Following a fellowship in orthopaedic oncology at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Dr. Bernthal returned to join the UCLA faculty in 2013 and has developed a fully independent laboratory, a flourishing orthopaedic oncology practice and a national reputation for his scientific, clinical and educational work, and his unswerving commitment to diversity and inclusion. Dr. Bernthal is Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Orthopaedic Oncology, and holds the Jeffrey J. Eckardt, MD, Term Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery.  After earning his undergraduate degree magna cum laude at Princeton University and his medical degree with Alpha Omega Alpha election at Cornell University, Dr. Bernthal was trained in orthopaedic surgery at UCLA, including a year of research during which he developed a transgenic mouse model of arthroplasty infection. Following a fellowship in orthopaedic oncology at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Dr. Bernthal returned to join the UCLA faculty in 2013 and has developed a fully independent laboratory, a flourishing orthopaedic oncology practice and a national reputation for his scientific, clinical and educational work, and his unswerving commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Dr. Bernthal’s research is in the areas of orthopaedic implant infection and immunology and functional outcomes of endoprosthetic implants. This work has produced NIH and other competitive funding, research opportunities for many residents and students, and many publications. Dr. Bernthal’s educational work has included the development of a curriculum in orthopaedic oncology, along with many teaching assignments and mentorship of fellows, residents and students. At the national and international level, Dr. Bernthal founded the UCLA Global Initiative working with the Soddo Christian Hospital in Ethiopia. He has held board membership in a number of prominent orthopaedic associations. Dr. Bernthal was recognized in 2016 with the highly prestigious American-British-Canadian Traveling Fellowship of the American Orthopaedic Association and in 2017 with the DGSOM’s Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, which honors one junior faculty member for exemplifying outstanding humanism in medicine, along with scientific excellence.

This news story was adapted from a UCLA Health press release. 

Image source: UCLA Health

Image caption: Dr. Nicholas M. Bernthal