Patrick Smith, MD, is the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society's 61st president.
Here are five things to know:
1. POS inducted Dr. Smith during their annual fall meeting in Pittsburgh.
2. After earning his medical degree from Philadelphia-based Thomas Jefferson University's Jefferson Medical College, Dr. Smith underwent his orthopedic residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
3. He went on to complete his spinal surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh.
4. Dr. Smith is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and North American Spine Society.
5. He is a staff executive committee member for UPMC-St. Margaret's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
"One of my top priorities this year is to complete the society's work with the Department of Health in the development of opioid prescribing guidelines for orthopedics and sports medicine," said Dr. Smith. "Our society is working to create workable solutions to the complex opioid crisis. POS encourages its members to collaborate with other healthcare providers on appropriate musculoskeletal pain management and to take steps to educate patients in their community of the dangers of opioid use and its potential long-term consequences."