We are extremely saddened to hear of the recent passing of Dr. Frederick Lippert.

Dr. Lippert was instrumental in the development of Sawbones models decades ago and will be greatly missed at Sawbones and within the orthopaedic community.

Dr. Lippert with an early Sawbones knee simulation model
 
The Need.

As Chief of Orthopaedics at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Seattle and Associate Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Washington School of Medicine he was concerned that orthopaedic resident training programs lacked any hands-on training.

 

 

His Vision.

Dr. Lippert had a vision to create an artificial bone that felt, cut, and drilled like real bone to be used to practice all the various procedures of orthopaedic surgery. This initial vision led to the creation of the first Sawbones realistic bone simulation model for orthopaedic training. This was and continues to be an invaluable contribution to the world of orthopaedic medical education. 
Dr. Lippert studying the properties of an early Sawbones knee simulation model
 
With Gratitude.

Over the decades, Sawbones has grown to be a multinational company with over 200 employees worldwide, all of whom continue to be dedicated to carrying out Dr. Lippert’s vision.

Without Dr. Lippert's knowledge, enthusiasm, and guidance at our inception and throughout the last 40 years Sawbones would not be what it is today and for that we are eternally grateful.
Click here to read more about Dr. Lippert's life and his obituary in The Washington Post.