2021 Distinguished Southern Orthopaedist
Claude T. Moorman III, MD

Dr. Claude T. Moorman is the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Southern Orthopaedist Award. Dr. Moorman, III, MD is Professor and Edward N. Hanley, Jr. Endowed Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and President of the Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute.

After graduating from Duke University and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, he did his residency at Duke University and a year-long Sports Medicine fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, NY. His initial academic appointment was at the University of Maryland where he started the Sports Medicine Program, and served as Head Team Physician for the Baltimore Ravens through their first Super Bowl. He was subsequently recruited back to Duke University where he served as the Vice Chairman, Chief of Sports Medicine, and Head Team Physician at Duke University through eight National Championships and five Bowl games! He ultimately formed the Urbaniak Sports Sciences Institute and served as the Executive Director for the remainder of his 20-year term in Durham. He was recruited to Atrium Health where he took up his current duties on January 1, 2018.

Dr. Moorman has been the president or a member of the Board of Directors of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the Magellan Society, the Southern Orthopaedic Association, the Piedmont Orthopaedic Society, the Atlantic Coast Conference Team Physician Society, the Duke Medical Alumni Association, and the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Dr. Moorman serves on the Editorial Board for five scientific journals, and is a reviewer for five more.

Dr. Moorman’s history with the Southern Orthopaedic Association goes back to residency when he was inspired by then-President Jack Henry and Bobby Murrah to join. He has served on the Council of Delegates, the Board of Directors, Course Co-Chair for the Hot Topics in Cold Weather Series, Program Chairman for the Annual Meeting, and the Editorial Board of JSOA. He held the offices of Secretary, Treasurer, and ultimately President in 2012. During his Presidency, the SOA adopted the ABOS Self-Assessment Program and greatly expanded the Resident Award prizes to encourage young members of the Association.

Dr. Moorman’s productivity includes 201 publications (168 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 27 book chapters, and six textbooks) and has done over 1,000 international, national, regional, and local scientific presentations. His awards include the Charles S. Neer Award for the outstanding basic science contribution in shoulder research, the AOSSM Aircast Award for basic science for work on the posterolateral corner of the knee, the Philip D. Wilson Award for outstanding research at the Hospital for Special Surgery, the AAOSM Aircast Award for clinical science for shoulder research, the North Carolina Orthopaedic Association Research Award, the Southern Orthopaedic Association Research Award, and a number of institutional awards for research and education.

Dr. Moorman also enjoys activities with his church and his family – his wife Lynne, son CT IV, and daughters Virginia and Marianne. He also enjoys outdoor activities including golf, hunting, fishing, and mountain climbing.