Josh J. Jacobs, MD, FAAOS, William A. Hark, MD/Susanne G. Swift Professor and chairman emeritus of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at RUSH, recently received the 2024 William W. Tipton Jr., MD, Leadership Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Jacobs was recognized for his years of service and dedication to his profession and community.
The award recognizes members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities that have benefited the orthopedic community, patients and the American public. It was created to celebrate the life and accomplishments of William W. Tipton Jr., MD, an orthopedic surgeon who served as executive vice president and executive director of medical affairs at the academy.
Jacobs has played a major role in many successes at RUSH. Spending his entire career here since his adult reconstructive fellowship, he has served in various roles, including vice provost for research of RUSH University and vice president for research at RUSH University Medical Center. He has also served as vice dean for research of RUSH Medical College since 2015 and has spent 15 years as the program director for RUSH’s orthopedic surgery residency program.
A leader in the research community, he has published more than 290 peer-reviewed articles. Currently, he’s a leader on two large, multicenter National Institutes of Health grants. Jacobs’ award-winning research work has made a big impact on the understanding of the clinical impacts of tribocorrosion, the utility of serum metal testing in the clinical evaluation of patients with orthopedic implants, and the biology of periprosthetic osteolysis.
Jacobs has also played a role in supporting diversity, equity and inclusion and health equity work at RUSH University. This includes his involvement as multiple principal investigator on a National Institutes of Health Clinical and Translational Science Award titled “Advancing Health Toward Health Equity Throughout Metropolitan Chicago.”
“We have graduated the most female adult reconstruction fellows in the country, and he remains a staunch proponent of being fair, diverse and inclusive,” says Brett R. Levine, MD, MS. “Dr. Jacobs has brought diversity to our department and values the qualities of all as an open-minded leader.”
Jacobs has continued to be a dedicated leader both at RUSH and throughout the entire field of orthopedics. He has held many leadership roles, including past president of Ambulatory Anesthesiologists of Chicago (2013-13); president of the Orthopaedic Research Society (2006-07); president of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (2019-20); and more.
“In the various leadership roles that I have undertaken in my own professional and personal life, I have attempted to deploy the tools I learned from Dr. Tipton to support and motivate those that I have led,” Jacobs reflects. “Dr. Tipton was a true ‘servant leader,’ and I have aspired to follow in his footsteps. I wish to express my profound gratitude to AAOS for this honor.”
About the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level to best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related musculoskeletal health care issues; and it leads the health care discussion on advancing quality.
