Lew C. Schon M.D., FACS, Joins The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center As Director of Orthopedic Innovation

Lew C. Schon, M.D., FACS, will join The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction (IFAR) at Mercy Medical Center as Director of Orthopedic Innovation, Clifford L. Jeng, M.D., Medical Director of The Institute, has announced. With more than 35 years’ experience in medicine, and board certified in Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Schon is an internationally recognized foot and ankle surgeon.

“The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy has a national reputation for providing advanced treatments of common and complex foot and ankle disorders. The addition of Dr. Schon enables us to continue our growth as a national Center of Excellence. As a surgeon, a researcher, a teacher of orthopedic surgery residents, and as a leader in the development of a variety of orthopedic devices, Dr. Schon has a reputation of excellence that has garnered him numerous awards. On behalf of the entire IFAR team, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome Dr. Schon to Mercy and look forward to working with him,” Dr. Jeng said.

“It is a great opportunity to join the Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy who have accomplished so much in this growing field. It’s no surprise that Mercy has been recognized as one of the best hospitals in the nation for orthopedics,” Dr. Schon said, referring to Mercy’s selection as a “Best National Hospital in Orthopedics” in 2018-19 by U.S. News & World Report.“Joining Mercy marks an exciting new chapter in my career that will allow me to focus on my passions of promoting orthopedic innovation and caring for patients from throughout the United States.”

A former president of the AOFAS who has served on the board and numerous committees, Dr. Schon is a consultant to several professional and collegiate sports teams and dance companies including the Washington Nationals, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Baltimore Ravens, DC United and the Baltimore Blasts. He is a co- inventor of several devices including the Stem Cell Suture, the Tornier WAVE calcaneal plate, the DJO Airlift brace, the Arthrex ProStop, Darco’s Toe Guard and Pneumatic Night Splint and the Zimmer Ankle Replacement.

As a faculty member of the MedStar Union Memorial Hospital and associate professor at both Johns Hopkins and Georgetown Universities, Dr. Schon has been active in training orthopedic surgery residents (including training more than 70 residents and over 100 clinical fellows).  On the undergraduate level he works at Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, Goucher College and Towson University with Biomedical Engineering, Dance and Pre-Medical Students.

According to David N. Maine, M.D., Executive Vice President, Physician Enterprise, the addition of Dr. Schon speaks highly of the efforts of Dr. Jeng and Dr. Marc W. Hungerford, Chief, Division of Orthopedics at Mercy, in identifying and recruiting “the finest talent” in their field. “Patients throughout the mid-Atlantic region and beyond seek out the specialists of The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital at Mercy. At Mercy, we endeavor to seek out physicians like Dr. Schon who balance their surgical talents and their abilities as skilled investigators with compassionate care, all to their patients’ benefit,” Dr. Maine said.

Dr. Schon’s work in biomechanics, orthobiologics and clinical studies have resulted in more than 130 peer-reviewed papers and over 100 other publications.  His work has earned him awards including the 2012 Johns Hopkins University Professors Award for Excellence in Teaching, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Humana Award, AOFAS Roger Mann Award, AOFAS Goldner Award, the MUMH Golden Apple Award and the 2015 JHU BME Clinical Innovator Award.

According to Dr. Schon, his special interests include the diagnosis and treatment of tendon disorders, deformities, fractures, ligament injuries, sports conditions and dance medicine.  As an innovator in the treatment of foot and ankle arthritis, he has made advances in numerous techniques. He has dedicated himself to ankle reconstruction and is considered one of the key surgeons internationally performing the Zimmer Total Ankle Replacement.

Dr. Schon is also the founder of two orthopedic rock bands: the Stimulators and the Sole Heelers (AOFAS).  His musical highlight occurred in July 2015 when he performed “Seven Nation Army” with the Foo Fighters at Fenway Park in Boston.

“Dr. Schon is literally a rock star in the operating room and on stage. But most importantly, he’s a rock star to the thousands of patients he has treated over the years,” Dr. Maine said.

Dr. Schon will begin seeing patients at Mercy in August 2019.