Dr. Roger Mann, right, presented Dr. Daniel Thuillier with the new endowed chair on Oct. 10, 2024, at the UCSF Mission Bay campus in San Francisco. (Courtesy photo)
This prestigious chair honors a legacy of excellence in foot and ankle orthopaedics
SAN FRANCISCO – Dec. 16 , 2024 – The UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is honored to announce the establishment of the Roger and Joan Mann Endowed Chair in Foot and Ankle Surgery, made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Roger Mann. The inaugural holder of the chair is Dr. Daniel Thuillier, chief of the Department's foot and ankle service.
Advancing Research, Teaching, and Patient Care
The Roger and Joan W. Mann Endowed Chair in Foot and Ankle Surgery was established to promote excellence in research, teaching and patient care for its appointed holder within UCSF’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. With funding dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in foot and ankle surgery, the chair reinforces UCSF’s commitment to innovation and comprehensive care in this specialty, enabling the chairholder to expand their impact on patient care, surgical techniques, and academic mentorship.
Honoring a Legacy of Mentorship
Dr. Mann’s legacy of mentorship is further celebrated through the Roger and Joan Mann Family Education Fund, established by the Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Foundation. This fund honors the Mann family’s profound contributions to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and the field of foot and ankle orthopedics. It supports the prestigious Roger A. Mann Award, given annually for the best clinical paper at the AOFAS Annual Meeting, and will also help fund future educational initiatives. As a pioneer in the field, Dr. Mann was one of the first to offer specialized fellowship training in foot and ankle orthopedics in 1979, establishing a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire.
Roger and Joan Mann
“Dr. Roger Mann’s impact on foot and ankle surgery is truly unmatched—not only as a pioneer and expert in the field but as a mentor, physician, and friend to so many of us,” said Dr. C. Benjamin Ma, Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at UCSF. “His dedication to patient care, innovation, and teaching has shaped our profession and inspired countless orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Mann’s generosity and the establishment of the Roger and Joan Mann Endowed Chair will support that legacy for years to come. It’s an honor to celebrate this milestone and recognize Dr. Daniel Thuillier, whose dedication embodies Dr. Mann’s commitment to excellence.”
Dr. Daniel Thuillier, center, was presented with the new endowed chair on Oct. 10, 2024, in San Francisco at the UCSF Mission Bay campus. Dr. Roger Mann, left, and Dr. C. Benjamin Ma, right, joined him at the celebration. (Courtesy photo))
An investiture ceremony — a formal event to honor both the donor and the appointed chairholder — was held on Oct. 10 at UCSF’s Mission Bay campus. Family members, friends, and colleagues gathered to celebrate both Dr. Mann and the inaugural chairholder, Dr. Daniel Thuillier, who currently serves as chief of foot and ankle surgery in the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Thuillier’s leadership, patient-centered approach, and commitment to high standards of care exemplify Dr. Mann’s legacy.
About Roger Mann, MD
Dr. Roger Mann is widely respected as a pioneer in foot and ankle surgery, with contributions spanning more than five decades. A San Francisco native, Dr. Mann earned his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley, attended medical school at UCSF, and completed his residency training in the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He became board-certified in 1968, and his distinguished career has included private practice, consulting for the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, and treating professional athletes.
Dr. Mann has authored more than 120 scientific articles and 70 book chapters, co-authored Mann's Surgery of the Foot and Ankle, and served as the lead investigator in the FDA study of the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR). He is also a past president of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, which established the Roger A. Mann Award for outstanding clinical papers in his honor.
About Daniel Thuillier, MD
Dr. Daniel Thuillier, born in San Francisco and raised in Oakland, is deeply connected to both his profession and his community. After attending high school in Oakland, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Georgetown University, then returned to UCSF for medical school and residency in orthopaedic surgery. During this time, he completed two additional years of research on cartilage pathways and biomechanics, followed by a fellowship in advanced foot and ankle surgery at the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center.
Since joining the UCSF faculty, Dr. Thuillier has dedicated himself to teaching, research, and individualized patient care. His research interests include ankle instability, post-traumatic ankle arthritis, and ankle replacement surgery. He also serves as team physician for the Oakland Roots SC, a professional soccer team.
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