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Vernon T. Tolo, M.D., Receives Distinguished Achievement Award from the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America

CONTACT:  Steve Rutledge at (323) 361-4121

Dr. Tolo is the head of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – Vernon T. Tolo, M.D., the head of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and the John C. Wilson Jr. Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and vice chair for pediatric orthopaedics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, has received the Distinguished Achievement Award from The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA).

Dr. Tolo was recognized at the POSNA annual meeting in Boston on April 30, 2009.
The POSNA Distinguished Achievement Award, considered a lifetime achievement award, is the highest recognition the organization bestows on its peers.
Dr. Tolo was honored for:

· His advocacy for pediatric orthopaedics as president of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, as president of the Scoliosis Research Society and as president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons;

· His leadership as researcher, author and deputy editor for Pediatric Orthopaedics of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery; and

· His leadership in establishing premier pediatric orthopaedic centers at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, as well as in inspiring and training many future leaders.

As a past president of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), Dr. Tolo served on its board of directors (1989-1997).  He also is past president of the Scoliosis Research Society.

Dr. Tolo served on the national medical advisory board for the Shriners Hospital for Children (1995-2000), and he is currently an emeritus member of the advisory board.

Dr. Tolo served as president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) (2002-03) and on its board of directors from 1998-2004.  He also served as Academy second vice president (2000-01), and as an Academy first vice president (2001-02).  In addition, he has served on numerous Academy committees and task forces.

Dr. Tolo is deputy editor for pediatrics for The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, and he is the former associate editor for pediatrics for The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

The co-author of two books, author of chapters in 20 books, and author or co-author of 115 scientific papers and abstracts, Dr. Tolo has made scientific presentations to more than 310 local, regional, national and international meetings.

Dr. Tolo received a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College (1964) in Moorhead, Minn., and a medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1968).

Dr. Tolo served an internship (1968-69) and residency (1969-70) in general surgery, as well as a residency in orthopaedic surgery (1972-74), and as chief resident (1974-75) at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.  He was chief of pediatric orthopaedics at Johns Hopkins for 10 years (1977-1987).

Dr. Tolo served as a fellow in pediatric orthopaedics at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (1975-76).

The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, founded in 1971, is a group of 950 members, comprised mostly of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons, all board certified in orthopaedic surgery.  POSNA has more than 20 international alliance societies.

Dr. Tolo lives in Pasadena, California

Founded in 1901, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has been treating the most seriously ill and injured children in Los Angeles for more than a century, and it is acknowledged throughout the United States and around the world for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. Childrens Hospital is one of America’s premier teaching hospitals, affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California since 1932. It is a national leader in pediatric research. 

Since 1990, U.S. News & World Report and its panel of board-certified pediatricians have named Childrens Hospital Los Angeles one of the top pediatric facilities in the nation, and it is ranked among the Top 10 children’s hospitals in the country – and first among the 13 children’s hospitals in California – in the current magazine rankings.