Orthopaedic Hospital

President's Welcome

Orthopaedic Hospital has come a long way from 1911, when a young orthopaedic surgeon named Dr. Charles Leroy Lowman first envisioned a new kind of hospital - a place where children with disabilities could receive the finest orthopaedic treatment, regardless of their ability to pay. In 1919, Dr. Lowman established a clinic for crippled children and moved into the reconditioned stables and carriage house on the present grounds of Orthopaedic Hospital, and in 1922, the newly constructed Orthopaedic Hospital was dedicated.

More than two million patient visits later, the insight and dedication of Dr. Lowman and subsequent generations of visionary orthopaedic leaders have forever changed countless lives. Today, Orthopaedic Hospital has become the largest children's orthopaedic program in the United States, and an internationally recognized and innovative leader in orthopaedic treatment.

The organization has embarked on the greatest period of growth in its history to meet the community's burgeoning orthopaedic needs, while continuing to advance the forefront of musculoskeletal medicine.

A far-reaching strategic alliance with the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1998 is broadening the scope of both organizations and bringing new and expanded programs toward making Orthopaedic Hospital in partnership with UCLA the world's largest orthopaedic center. In addition to offering some of the best doctors, medical personnel, facilities and the latest technologies, the two organizations will lead the world in musculoskletal research and orthopaedic education.

While the alliance commitment will benefit the world at large, Orthopaedic Hospital hasn't forgotten its root in children's orthopaedic patient care. Our new 40,000-square-foot, Orthopaedic Hospital Outpatient Medical Center sits on the downtown Los Angeles Orthopaedic Medical Center campus, allowing us the capacity to increase children's orthopaedic visits to as many as 95,000 per year. The organization continues to provide a vital safety net for children with crippling disorders who have nowhere else to turn to in our effort to reach out and better our community.

Orthopaedic Hospital's core mission remains the care of children with crippling birth defects and musculoskeletal disorders and our new relationships and facilities will allow us to help more people worldwide than ever before.

James V. Luck, Jr., M.D.
Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director
Orthopaedic Hospital

Continue: Our Mission & Vision

children with ambulance from early 1900's

Orthopaedic Hospital began as a clinic for children with crippling disorders in 1911. Here's how we've grown over the years into a world leader in orthopaedic care, while staying true to our original mission.

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To meet the ever-growing orthopaedic needs of the community, Orthopaedic Hospital has expanded its commitment to patient care, research and education. Our bright future represents a new era in orthopaedic care.

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