Alfred Rives SHANDS1899–1981

pensary and Hospital. In addition he was ortho- pedic surgeon at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City. He was the first to describe clinically the deformity that since has acquired a number of synonyms, including that of high contracted arch.

His name was used as an eponym for several decades: “Shaffer’s nondeforming club foot.”

pleted in 1940 and Shands became surgeon-in- chief, a position he held until 1962. He remained medical director of the institute until 1969.

During World War II, Shands served as the senior consultant for orthopedics for the United States Air Force.

Shands made many contributions to the care of children who are crippled, which are reflected in his numerous publications. His Handbook of Orthopedic Surgery became an important educa- tional resource; nine editions were published.

Perhaps his greatest contribution to orthopedics was his essential role in the formation of the Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation, and his support of the Orthopedic Research Society. He was honored by elected positions in various orthopedic and other groups. He was a recipient of numerous honorary memberships and honorary degrees. His distinguished presence was noted at the annual meetings of orthopedic societies, where he was especially friendly and encouraging to the young investigators.

As a historian, Shands will be remembered for his article about the development of orthopedics as a specialty in the United States. Many historic articles were published in The Early Orthopedic Surgeons of America.

Reference

1. Shands Jr AR (1970) The Early Orthopedic Sur- geons of America. St. Louis, CV Mosby Co

304 Who’s Who in Orthopedics

Alfred Rives SHANDS

1899–1981

Alfred Rives Shands, Jr., was born in Washington, DC. His father was the first ortho- pedist to practice in the district. When he was 14 years of age, his father, Alfred R. Shands, Sr., was president of the American Orthopedic Associa- tion. The young man graduated from the Univer- sity of Virginia in 1918 and enrolled in Johns Hopkins Medical School. He remained at Johns Hopkins Hospital for surgical and orthopedic training until 1927. He returned to Washington, DC to join his father in practice until 1930, when he was invited to Duke University Medical School to initiate the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and the orthopedic residency program. In 1937, Shands left Duke University to become medical director of the Alfred I. duPont Institute in Wilmington, DE.

His first task at the institute was to plan and

supervise the construction of a children’s ortho-

pedic hospital on the grounds of Nemours, the

estate of Alfred I. duPont. The hospital was com-