Dr. Coleen Sabatini (at right), a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at UCSF, receives the 2025 Humanitarian Award from Dr. Paul Tornetta, III, MD, PhD, President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), at the AAOS annual meeting in San Diego on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Photo: Courtesy AAOS)
Recognized for her global impact and dedication to advancing pediatric musculoskeletal care
SAN DIEGO (March 13, 2025) – The UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery proudly announces that Coleen Sabatini, MD, MPH, FAAOS, received the 2025 Humanitarian Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) at its annual meeting in San Diego on March 12, 2025.
This prestigious award honors Dr. Sabatini’s extraordinary contributions to pediatric orthopaedic care, especially in underserved communities. As a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, she is committed to ensuring all children have access to high-quality, safe, and affordable care.
"Dr. Sabatini embodies the highest ideals of our profession," said C. Benjamin Ma, MD, chair of the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. "Through her leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence, she not only improves patient outcomes but also inspires the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons."
Dr. Coleen Sabatini, a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and leader of the UCSF Clubfoot Program, greets a patient during the program’s annual family picnic in Walnut Creek, California, on September 7, 2024. The program, dedicated to treating and supporting children with clubfoot, is part of Dr. Sabatini’s ongoing commitment to improving pediatric musculoskeletal care. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Transforming Pediatric Musculoskeletal Care, Advancing Health Equity in Uganda
Dr. Sabatini's impact extends globally – and while she has taught and/or volunteered in numerous countries, since 2013 -- she has focused much of her global work in Uganda. There, with an emphasis on capacity building in pediatric musculoskeletal care through education and research, her work includes training local surgeons in pediatric orthopaedic surgery with the goal to improve access to musculoskeletal care for the children of Uganda.
Dr. Sabatini’s influence reaches far beyond her impressive work in orthopaedics, both in the U.S. and internationally. She has been a tireless advocate for equity in care, whether here at home or across the globe," said David Shearer, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Co-Director of the Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology (IGOT).
Dr. Sabatini (center) teaching at an IGOT SMART Course in San Francisco, where she is training surgeons from multiple countries. She has mentored orthopaedic surgeons globally, enhancing local expertise and improving care for pediatric musculoskeletal conditions in communities worldwide. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
"Dr. Sabatini’s career is a testament to selfless service, global pediatric musculoskeletal health, and an unwavering commitment to addressing disparities," said Dr. Nirav Pandya, chief of pediatric orthopaedics at UCSF. "Her dedication to improving the lives of children, both locally and globally, reflects her deep commitment to equity and compassion. She has not only enhanced care for children with complex musculoskeletal conditions but has also worked tirelessly to bridge gaps in healthcare access, ensuring quality treatment reaches even the most underserved communities."
A Tradition of Excellence in Orthopaedic Surgery
Dr. Sabatini joins esteemed UCSF colleagues who have been honored by AAOS for their groundbreaking work and commitment to patient care:
- Dr. Richard Coughlin – Awarded the AAOS Humanitarian Award in 2006 for his extensive work with Operation Rainbow, providing orthopedic care to underserved populations worldwide. UCSF faculty.
- Dr. Richard Gosselin – Recognized with the AAOS Humanitarian Award in 2016 for his dedication to delivering orthopedic care in low-resource settings and improving musculoskeletal health globally. UCSF faculty (retired).
- Dr. Dave M. Atkin – Received the AAOS Humanitarian Award in 2021 for over 25 years of service with Operation Rainbow, leading more than 60 surgical missions across Central and South America, Haiti, and the Philippines, while also serving underserved communities in San Francisco. UCSF alumnus.
About Dr. Coleen Sabatini, MD, MPH
Dr. Coleen Sabatini is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon with a clinical focus that includes a range of pediatric orthopaedic conditions, with particular interests in pediatric trauma/fractures, clubfoot and other pediatric foot and limb deformities. Dr. Sabatini directs the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Clubfoot Program – a comprehensive program for the treatment of children with clubfoot. She previously served as chief of pediatric orthopaedics at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, and now is the Vice Chair of Health Equity and Academic Affairs for the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
A committed advocate for both local and global pediatric orthopaedic care, Dr. Sabatini has worked in Uganda since 2013, providing orthopaedic care, training local surgeons, and conducting research with an emphasis on capacity-building pediatric musculoskeletal care. Her research focuses on improving access to, and quality of, care for children with musculoskeletal conditions, particularly for those in low-resource environments. Passionate about mentorship, Dr. Sabatini has inspired and guided many current and future orthopaedic surgeons, promoting equity in care and advancing values of compassion and service.
Dr. Sabatini earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Harvard Medical School and her Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She completed her residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program. She furthered her training with a pediatric orthopaedic surgery fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Sabatini is the co-Director of UCSF’s Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology and an Associate Director of UCSF’s Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia. She is an active member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa. In 2024, she was also honored with the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) Humanitarian Award.
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