Louis U. Bigliani, MD, FAOA Recognized as an AOA Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession

The American Orthopaedic Association Honors Louis U. Bigliani, MD, FAOA, as a 2025 Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession

The American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) is proud to recognize Louis U. Bigliani, MD, FAOA, as a 2025 AOA Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession—an honor that celebrates his exceptional impact as a clinician, educator, and researcher.

AOA Pillars are individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the orthopaedic community through leadership, mentorship, and service. These distinguished professionals have shaped the future of the field by inspiring peers, fellows, and residents to uphold the highest standards of integrity, excellence, and innovation.

Dr. Bigliani’s enduring legacy includes significant contributions to orthopaedic education and leadership, as well as meaningful service to the AOA and the broader medical community. His work continues to influence generations of orthopaedic surgeons and improve patient care worldwide.

To learn more about Dr. Bigliani’s accomplishments and award recommendation, view the AOA Dr. Bigliani Pillar Video.  

About Louis U. Bigliani, MD, FAOA

Frank E. Stinchfield Emeritus Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University

Dr. Louis U. Bigliani, MD, FAOA, is a distinguished leader in academic orthopaedics whose career has profoundly shaped the field of shoulder surgery, education, and organizational leadership.

He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1968 with an A.B. in Sociology and Premedical Sciences, while also serving as captain of the varsity tennis team. He earned his medical degree from Loyola University’s Stritch School of Medicine in 1972, receiving the Founders Day Outstanding Student of the Year Award. He was later recognized with the Stritch AOA Alumnus of the Year Award (2002) and the Alumnus of the Year for Excellence in Education (2022).

Following medical school, Dr. Bigliani completed an internship and general surgery residency at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. He went on to complete his residency in orthopaedic surgery at Columbia University and Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, finishing in 1977. He was appointed Chief Resident and pursued fellowships in Shoulder Surgery and Hip and Knee Replacement under two of the field’s pioneers—Charles S. Neer II and Frank E. Stinchfield.

Dr. Bigliani committed his entire career to Columbia University, focusing on academic orthopaedics and shoulder surgery. In 1990, he succeeded Dr. Neer as Chief of the Shoulder Service, a position he held until 2013. During his tenure, he trained over 100 shoulder fellows from around the world and played a key role in advancing the understanding and treatment of shoulder instability, rotator cuff disease, subacromial impingement, nerve injuries, and shoulder arthroplasty. His scholarly output includes over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles, 80 book chapters, and 190 published abstracts.

In 1998, Dr. Bigliani was named the Frank E. Stinchfield Professor and Chair of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University and also served as Director of the Orthopedic Service at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. He became President of the Medical Board at NewYork-Presbyterian in 2008 and was named Physician of the Year in 2011. From 2011 to 2014, he served as President and Chairman of the Board of Columbia Doctors, Columbia University’s Faculty Practice Plan.

Dr. Bigliani has been deeply involved in professional leadership. He was a founding member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) in 1982, serving as its President from 1997 to 1998. He held leadership roles with the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, first as secretary of the founding Board of Trustees (1990–1996) and later as chairman (2002–2005). He also chaired the International Board of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (2010–2016), overseeing the triennial International Congress, which hosts over 2,000 global participants.

A member of the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) since 1990, Dr. Bigliani chaired the Critical Issues Committee (2003–2006) and served as the 121st President of the AOA (2007–2008). In 2024, he was recognized by the AOA for Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedics—a testament to his enduring impact on the profession.

In 2001, Dr. Bigliani and Dr. William N. Levine co-founded the Columbia Shoulder Society, a biennial gathering designed to sustain the professional and personal bonds among alumni of the Columbia Shoulder Service. This relaxed, family-oriented meeting fosters collaboration and the ongoing exchange of clinical insight in shoulder and elbow surgery.

Dr. Bigliani is married to Dr. Anne B. Krementz, a retired general surgeon and accomplished horticulturist who serves as a Horticulture Judge for the Garden Club of America. They have two daughters, Anne Louise Nieto (Tom) and Suzanne Hlavacek (James), and three grandsons: Thomas Daniel Nieto II (8), Andrew Louis Nieto (5), and James Howard Hlavacek III (5).

The AOA gratefully acknowledges Dr. Bigliani’s exceptional legacy of leadership, education, and service, and proudly recognizes him as a 2025 AOA Pillar of the Orthopaedic Profession.