Local Surgeon
Receives National Acclaim[Back]

New Windsor, NY -- November 29, 2004

The American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine has awarded local Orthopedic Surgeon John Uhorchak, M.D. F.A.A.O.S. with its 2004 Hughston Award for the best published article of the year.  The article submitted was the culmination of seven years of work by Dr Uhorchak and his five co-authors.

Their research involved the evaluation of 859 West Point cadets over a four year period, and won them the 2002 O'Donoghue Sports Injury Research Award for best clinical research.  They identified an increased risk for ACL injuries, especially in women,  with a narrow notch, hyperlaxity, and an increase in body mass index.

According to Dr. Uhorchak We found a higher risk of injury for patients who had a narrow space between the bones in their knee, greater than average flexibility, and were over ideal body weight.

The research he began 9 years ago as Team Physician for intercollegiate, club, and intramural teams at West Point is currently being built upon to further define the causes of noncontact ACL injuries.

Dr. Uhorchak, adds this award to his 2002 O'Donoghue Award and the American Medical Associations' 2003 Pride in Practice Award, and a long list of military awards and recognitions.  He served as  a member of the US Army Special Forces Medical Team and is the recipient of numerous military honors.  He received the Order of Military Medical Merit for his service in Somalia during “Blackhawk Down”.  He received the “A” designation by the Army Surgeon General -- the highest recognition for academic excellence in an officer’s chosen specialty.  He also earned the coveted Airborne and Expert Field Medical Badges as well as the Ranger tab.

His is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons, and recently retired from the Military after a 28 year career.  He now practices at Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, P.C. -- a group of other fellowship trained orthopedic specialists in New Windsor, NY. (845) 561-8060