Dr. Stephen S. Burkhart, a retired orthopedic surgeon, dedicated nearly four decades to advancing shoulder arthroscopy. After graduating with honors in mechanical engineering from Rice University, he earned a Doctor of Medicine from UTMB Galveston and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Mayo Clinic. His pioneering work in shoulder arthroscopy, starting in the 1980s, revolutionized rotator cuff and instability repair. Dr. Burkhart holds 75 US patents and has authored 220 peer-reviewed publications on shoulder biomechanics and pathology. He trained numerous residents and fellows, established an arthroscopic shoulder surgery fellowship, and hosted/trained thousands of surgeons. His textbooks are medical bestsellers and have received multiple awards. Dr. Burkhart served as President of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the Orthopaedic Learning Center. In 2023, he received a Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumni Award and is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arthroscopy Association of North America in 2024. He lives with his wife, Nora, on his ranch in Boerne and has two kids and three grandchildren.
