UCSF Orthopaedic Surgery Hosts 69th Annual Abbott Society Meeting, Inman Lectureship at Mission Bay
SAN FRANCISCO (May 15, 2024) — The UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery welcomed more than 150 faculty, staff, alumni and community providers to the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship, held May 1–2 at the Mission Bay Conference Center.
The two-day program brought together members of the Abbott Orthopaedic Society, UCSF trainees and faculty, and orthopaedic specialists from across the region to share the latest research and clinical advances in orthopaedic surgery.
Dr. Susan V. Bukata, chair of orthopaedic surgery at UC San Diego and the 2025 Abbott Visiting Professor, delivered both featured Abbott Lectures. Her first talk, “It Actually Is Rocket Science: Unexpected Boosters of Cartilage and Bone Regeneration,” explored emerging frontiers in tissue healing. Her second lecture, “Eat When You Can, Sleep When You Can, but Nourish Your Soul Too,” offered reflections on resilience in medicine.
Dr. John Rhee, professor of orthopaedics at Emory University and the 2025 Verne T. Inman Lecturer, presented “Cervical Spine Malalignment: When Should It Be Corrected?” and “The Chair Life-Hack,” offering practical and personal insights into surgical decision-making and leadership.
Additional program highlights included chief resident research presentations, “Fast & Furious” clinical updates, panel discussions and symposia on topics ranging from musculoskeletal oncology to trauma care. The event also featured networking opportunities, including the annual Bones Ball (Residents Graduation) and an IGOT anniversary update.
Department Chair Dr. C. Benjamin Ma delivered the State of the Department address, reflecting on recent accomplishments and strategic goals.
The annual Inman-Abbott gathering remains a cornerstone event for the UCSF orthopaedic community, fostering education, collaboration and innovation.
Save the date: The 2026 Inman-Abbott Meeting will be held May 7 and May 8, 2026 at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco.
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Dr. Drew Lansdown, center, attends the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship on May 1, 2025, at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. (Photo by UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Dr. C. Benjamin Ma, chair of the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, center, attends the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship on May 1, 2025, at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. (Photo by UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
A panel of chief residents hold a discussion at the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship on May 1, 2025, at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. Pictured from left to right are Dr. AJ Agha, Dr. Alejandro Cazzulino, Dr. Sergio Flores, Dr. Joseph Sheridan, Dr. Favian Su, Dr. Steven Garcia, Dr. Alex Markes, and Dr. Ellen Tsay. (Photo by UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Dr. Michael Feldstein, left, and Dr. Claudio Diaz, an associate professor and arthritis and joint replacement surgeon, attend the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship on May 1, 2025, at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. (Photo by UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Dr. C. Benjamin Ma, left, introduces Dr. Susan V. Bukata, right, chair of orthopaedic surgery at UC San Diego and the 2025 Abbott Visiting Professor at the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship on May 1, 2025, at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. (Photo by UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Dr. Susan V. Bukata, chair of orthopaedic surgery at UC San Diego, delivers her first Abbott Lecture, “It Actually Is Rocket Science: Unexpected Boosters of Cartilage and Bone Regeneration,” a talk that explored emerging frontiers in tissue healing. She delivered the lecture at the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship on May 1, 2025, at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. (Photo by UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Dr. Chris Lehman, secretary and treasurer of the Abbott Orthopaedic Society, right, and Dr. Susan Bukata, left, chair of orthopaedic surgery at UC San Diego, attend the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship on May 1, 2025, at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. (Photo by UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Dr. YouJeoung Kim, president of the LeRoy C. Abbott Society, introduces a speaker at the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship on May 1, 2025, at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. (Photo by UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
Dr. John Rhee, professor of orthopaedics at Emory University and the 2025 Verne T. Inman Lecturer, presents “Cervical Spine Malalignment: When Should It Be Corrected?” at the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship on May 1, 2025, at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. (Photo by UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
From left to right: Dr. Andrew Gatto, Dr. Kevin Liu, Dr. Douglas Saeks, and Dr. Nicolas Lee, an associate professor and orthopaedic surgeon specializing in both hand and trauma, attend the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship on May 1, 2025, at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. (Photo by UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
From left to right: Dr. Rosanna Wustrack, chief of orthopaedic oncology and professor, and residents Dr. Jeffrey Kwong, Dr. Natalie Kucirek, Dr. Alicia Asturias, Dr. Ramesh Ghanta, and Dr. Angel Xiao participate in a panel at the 69th Annual LeRoy C. Abbott Society Scientific Program and 56th Annual Verne T. Inman Lectureship on May 1, 2025, at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. (Photo by UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
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