Distinguished Alumnus Award

In 2004, the distinguished Alumnus Award was created to acknowledge an exemplary alumnus who has shown leadership and/or has had special recognition in his/her professional specialty and has actively participated in HSS Alumni Affairs.

2008 Clifford W. Colwell, Jr., MD

Clifford W. Colwell, Jr., MD, a native of Flint, Michigan, obtained his medical degree from the University of Michigan in 1958.  He completed his internship and general surgical residency at University Hospital Michigan (1962-1964), his orthopaedic residency at HSS (1964–1967), a trauma fellowship at Los Angeles County Hospital (1968) and served in the United States Air Force stationed in Fort Worth, Texas (1968-1970) where he treated returning Vietnam veterans. 

In 1970, Dr. Colwell joined Scripps Memorial Hospital and was appointed Head, Division of Orthopaedics Surgery at Scripps Clinic (1977 – 2002). He served as Assistant Chief, Department of Surgery (1989-1997), and Director, Shiley Sports and Health Center (1988-2002). In 1985 he became Director, Alfred A. and Marian E. Smith Joint Mechanics Laboratory. He was appointed Medical Director, Musculoskeletal Center of Excellence in 1987 and Director, Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education in 1988.

Dr. Colwell joined the faculty at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation in 1970 as a clinical instructor and became a clinical professor in 1992. Dr. Colwell’s research is focused on lower extremity reconstruction including diagnosis and prevention of venous thromboembolic disease following total joint replacement (TJR) as well as the development of hip and knee technology for joint implantation.

Dr. Colwell has been the recipient of several awards, including The Knee Society Award, The Nicholas Andry Award, The International Award for Basic Cartilage Research, The Kappa Delta Award, The International “Hap” Award for Technical Advancement, The Mark Coventry Award and The Chitrajan Ranawat Award from The Knee Society.  He has published over 200 peer reviewed articles and book chapters, and has delivered more than 300 professional presentations to science and academic communities. In recognition of his tremendous contributions to the field of orthopaedics, commitment to his patients and students, and involvement with HSS’ Alumni Association, we are privileged to present Dr. Colwell with the fifth Distinguished Alumnus Award. 

Past Distinguised Alumnus Award Recipients

2007 Chitranjan S. Ranawat, MD

2006 Allan E. Inglis, MD

2005 David B. Levine, MD

2004 Charles Christian, MD