US Experience
Education
Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
Brandeis University, Boston, MA 2015-17
Fellowships
Adult Joint Reconstruction Surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard-Boston) 1982-83
Bio-Engineering
Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT-Boston) 1982-83
Hanley Physician Leadership Training (Bowdoin College-Maine) 2012-13
Residency (combined Internship)
Rush-Presbyterian 1977-82
St. Luke’s Medical Center
Orthopedic Surgery
Undergraduate & Medical School
University of Illinois (Engineering) 1970-73
Rush Medical College (Medicine) 1973-77
HONORS
Ellis Island Medal of Honor (International Medicine) 2009
Hap Paul Award-International Society for Technology 2004
In Arthroplasty (ISTA)
Healthcare Hero – Innovation in Healthcare Award 2004
Palm Beach Medical Society
Chandler Award for Surgical Research l980
Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society l970
Eagle Scout Award l968
US Business Experience Activities (& Boards Served)
DJO Global, LLC:
Vista, CA, USA, is a medical device manufacturer and rehabilitation company with a world-wide presence. Dr. Hodge is the designer and holds patents on the 3D Knee (DATA DRIVEN DESIGN) technology (first patent and design with the more natural ‘pivot’ concept in total knee arthroplasty). This implant system (EmpowR 3D) is the company’s main knee implant . This product was first released 20 years ago and has grown to penetrate markets world-wide with rich, long-term data sets from patient outcomes and mechanical testing proving it to be among the most successful knee reconstruction available to surgeons and patients around the world. Dr Hodge travels around the world teaching surgeons to use his innovative designs and error reducing surgical techniques for implantation this unique device.
Shalby Advanced Technologies, LLC:
Located in northern California, Shalby Advanced Technologies, Inc. (SAT), formerly Consensus Orthopedics, provides proven and reliable total joint implants and instruments to the global market. Dr Hodge has been a consultant for several years, helping with design of their products and educating their surgeons with advanced training. Dr Hodge has also visited the Shalby Hospital System in Ahmedabad, India and worked with Dr Vikram Shah, the founder and owner of both the hospital network and SAT. Their manufacturing facility enjoys a distinct advantage with end-to-end integration which includes R&D workrooms, machining, finishing, polishing, cleaning, quality control, sterilization, and packaging solutions. With ~30 years of orthopaedic design and manufacturing experience, along with relentless focus on patient care and clinician relationships, SAT is dedicated in creating One Team, focused on Restoring Mobility and Improving Lives across the world.
Waldemar Link, GmbH & Company:
Founded 1948 in Hamburg, Germany, Waldemar Link GmbH & Co. KG (LINK) produced the first ever joint replacement prosthesis Made in Germany. Dr Hodge serves as a consultant and helps with basic research, currently studying their newest knee replacement, the SymphoKnee using fluoroscopic technique to give quantitative 3D animations of the implanted device. He also helps with new product development and training surgeons. In the US, he is developing a combined fellowship traing program. With sales in over 60 countries worldwide it is among the leading players in the large joint replacement market reaching top 5 in knee replacement. With a solid base in Europe, a strong position in Asia, along with dynamic growth in the U.S. and several emerging markets, LINK has been growing at twice the industry average. The deeply rooted search for improvement through scientific research and academic exchange typifies LINK to this very day. A pioneer of modern joint reconstruction, LINK has products which have set new standards and given it a respected name among the orthopedic community worldwide. The company is strongly focused on further strengthening its leading position in revision surgery and expanding its portfolio of primary implants across new markets. Its strong position in some of the largest markets along with continuously modernized production technologies, have given LINK the necessary economies of scale to be very competitive in even the most challenging growth markets. Helmut D. Link leads the company today with a long-term view on sustainable business development with absolutely no compromise on product and service quality, always following his saying that “We develop, produce and market only implants that we would be willing to have implanted in ourselves.”
Data Driven Orthopedics (D2O), LLC:
Tampa, FL. USA, is a company owned and managed by orthopedic physicians and engineers to gather data in support of evidenced based medicine and develop new innovations in orthopedics. Dr Hodge serves as the managing member of this technology transfer company.
Scyon Orthopedic AG:
Zurich, Switzerland, is a company founded and run by two MIT engineers who use canine models and the veterinarian surgeons to test new technologies for human applications. Dr Hodge continues to design with this company such innovations as an ‘Internal Brace’ concept for various unstable or painful joints. He holds several patents with the co-founders of this company.
Iconacy Orthopedic Implants, LLC:
Warsaw, IN, USA, is a company which develops and manufactures generic orthopedic implants to compete in the current cost-conscious healthcare environment. Dr Hodge is a designer of their hip replacement technology.
Regenerative Technologies Corporation (RTC), Inc:
Chatanooga,TN, USA, is a company which develops wellness products for enhancing longevity and lifestyle enhancement. For example, one of their products lessens osteoporosis and enhances the body’s production of stem cells through micro vibrations. This device is called ‘Juvent’ and Dr Hodge is the chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board.
LIM Innovations, Inc:
San Francisco, CA, USA, is a company with disruptive digital technology and 3D printing capacity to make space-age, carbon-fiber, modular sockets for AK and BK amputees. This allows near perfect initial fit to be adjusted by the most knowledgeable technician, which is the patient. Adjustability with sockets has been an age-old problem now well addressed by this technology. Dr Hodge not only helps guide the design teams but also educate and develop the end user programs in Healthcare Systems.
U.S. Patents
- #5,413,604: Prosthetic Knee Implant for An Anterior Cruciate Deficient TKR. Hodge, WA
- #5,486,178: Femoral Preparation Instrument System and Method. Hodge, WA
- #6,409,768: Screw Anchored Joint Prosthesis. Tepic, S and Hodge, WA
- #8,961,576: Internal Joint Brace System and Suture Anchor Assembly. Hodge, WA; Tepic, S and Bresina, S
- #9,357,995: Internal Joint Brace System and Suture Anchor Assembly. Hodge, WA; Tepic, S and Bresina, S
- #9,808,236: Internal Joint Brace System and Suture Anchor Assembly. Hodge, WA; Tepic, S and Bresina, S
- PCT US2016/043,333: A Medial and Lateral Pivoting Knee Implant System. Hodge, WA
- PCT 61/170,446: Precision Acetabular System. Hodge, WA
Expert Witness Medical Technology
Dr. Hodge has worked with both large and small companies serving as a bioengineering expert as well as a medical expert on product liability in various civil action suites and other types of legal activities against a product.
Implant Failure
Dr. Hodge has been involved in looking at various medical implant wear and durability studies. As an engineer and a surgeon, he has a unique view of both the mechanical and biological elements which impact an implant’s performance and survival in-vivo.
Personal Injury
Dr. Hodge has defended practitioners against frivolous liability claims. Again with his unique background of both bioengineering and surgical experience he is well positioned to defend these claims. As balance for his legal credibility Dr. Hodge will on occasion work with clients who have experienced gross negligence from industry or medical practitioners.
Bio-mechanics
Dr. Hodge has been on staff at some of the world’s best engineering institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Arizona State University, University of Florida, University of Maine and others. He is respected as one of the world’s experts in orthopedic biomechanics and many companies have worked with him in product development and differentiation. As an orthopedic surgeon, he is recognized as an expert in orthopedic biomechanics and a hip and knee super specialist dealing with complex problems effecting mobility and performance of patients. Dr. Hodge is also an expert in treating complex failures of hip and knee implant failures and revision of these failed joint replacements with the most effective process which saves pain, suffering and costs.