Over the last quarter century, UNMC’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation has expanded its clinical reach, advanced research innovation, and strengthened its commitment to training future leaders—progress made possible through the leadership of Dr. Kevin L. Garvin, now completing his 25th year as Chair. When Dr. Garvin began as Chair in 2000, the department was a modest team of 5 faculty and 20 residents. It has evolved into a robust force featuring 24 full-time orthopaedic surgeons, one Ph.D. faculty, one adult reconstructive surgery fellowship, 30 residents, and 15 advanced practice providers (APPs) in 2025.
Education has been a cornerstone of that growth. In 2000, the residency program carried on a long tradition but remained limited in size. By 2015, the program expanded from four to five residents per year, and by Summer 2024, UNMC welcomed its first class of six annually after gaining approval from the Residency Review Committee. The department will have trained over 200 residents by 2025. In addition, since launching the adult reconstructive surgery fellowship in 2020, the department has successfully trained four orthopaedic fellows in this subspecialty.
Patient care innovation accompanies this educational expansion. The department now delivers over 7,700 surgeries annually, ranking it among the busiest services in Nebraska Medicine and Children’s Nebraska Hospitals. It operates clinics across multiple sites, including Nebraska Medicine’s main campus, Children’s Nebraska Hospital, Bellevue, Blair, and Village Pointe, to help strengthen community access. Adult Orthopaedic care is also ranked #1 in Nebraska and in the top 10% nationally.
The department’s research portfolio has grown alongside its clinical presence. Faculty are currently supported by multiple NIH and PCORI grants and publish approximately 100 peer-reviewed articles annually. UNMC Orthopaedics researchers continue to share their work at premier national and international conferences and serve in leadership roles for the AAOS, ABOS, and specialty societies.
Dr. Garvin credits these achievements to a collaborative team dedicated to compassionate care, innovation in research, and outstanding education. “Our strength as a department comes from succeeding across all pillars of academic medicine—exceptional patient care, innovative research, and a deep commitment to education,” said Dr. Kevin Garvin, L. Thomas Hood Professor and Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery. “We have built a legacy of excellence by fostering collaboration, investing in future leaders, and advancing orthopaedics in ways that make a lasting impact on our field and our patients’ lives.”
Grounded in a legacy of academic excellence and propelled by a bold vision for the future, the department is stronger and more committed than ever to advancing the full mission of academic medicine. With world-class facilities, a collaborative care model, and a culture that values curiosity and continuous learning, the department is not only shaping the future of orthopaedic care—it’s redefining what’s possible. From pioneering research and transformative education to life-changing clinical innovation, the department is charting a course toward a future where excellence isn’t the goal—it’s the standard. The next chapter is already being written, and its impact will be felt far beyond the walls of the operating room or the pages of a ranking—it will be measured in knowledge shared, lives improved, and futures restored.