Hospital for Special Surgery Honors John P. Lyden, M.D. with Lifetime Achievement Award

NEW YORK—June 12, 2009 

John P. Lyden, M.D., a noted orthopedic trauma surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the hospital’s 26th Annual Tribute Dinner at the Waldorf=Astoria, Monday, June 22, 2009. Tiki Barber, NBC Sports Broadcaster and former running back for the New York Giants, will host the event.

Dr. Lyden was a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy/Marine Medical Corps. As a decorated Navy orthopedic surgeon, he has received several awards for his valor including the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He also received the Bronze Star and three Presidential Unit Citations for his work with the United States Department of Defense’s research team that was assigned to study weapons, body armor, and medical treatment and evacuation needs from South Vietnam. The Bronze Star is one of the Army’s highest combat awards given to soldiers who demonstrate bravery on the battlefield. The V for valor attached to it identifies the award as resulting from combat heroism. The Presidential Unit Citation is a senior unit award granted to military units which have performed extremely meritorious or heroic acts in combat.

“For the past 40 years, Dr. Lyden has been an integral member of the HSS family and has greatly contributed to the trauma service at the hospital,” said Louis A. Shapiro, president and chief executive officer of Hospital for Special Surgery. “We are deeply grateful for his service to our hospital and proud to bestow this lifetime achievement award as a way to recognize his passion and commitment to patient care, education and research.”

“It has been a true honor to care for patients and work in the field of orthopedic trauma care at HSS,” said Dr. Lyden. “My experience in Vietnam and my work at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Washington, D.C., helped reinforce my passion for trauma care. HSS has allowed me to further develop that passion and be innovative in this area of orthopedic surgery.”

Dr. Lyden graduated from Harvard University magna cum laude in 1961, and received a doctor of medicine degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his orthopedic residency training and a hand surgery fellowship at HSS. Dr. Lyden met his wife, Carol Murphy, when they were both working at Special Surgery. Mrs. Lyden is the daughter of Dr. James Slater Murphy and Mrs. Nelson A. Rockefeller, known as “Happy.”

Currently, Dr. and Mrs. Lyden live in Manhattan and Tarrytown, N.Y., and have twins, Jack and Jennifer, who recently graduated from Bucknell University and Trinity College, respectively. Dr. Lyden serves on multiple committees at HSS and is a founding trustee of the Hospital’s captive malpractice insurer in the Cayman Islands (MIAC). He is also a trustee of Hudson River Healthcare, which has developed a series of medical clinics for indigent migrant workers of the Hudson Valley. Dr. Lyden has served as an orthopedic surgeon for the New York Police Department since 1975.

For more information about the Tribute Dinner visit www.hss.edu/gala. For reservation information call 212.997.0100 ext. 238 or email tcooper@projectsplusinc.com.

About Hospital for Special Surgery
Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics and No. 4 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2008), and has received Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In 2008 and 2007, HSS was a recipient of the HealthGrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award. A member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS provides orthopedic and rheumatologic patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. All Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are on the faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. Hospital for Special Surgery is located in New York City and online at www.hss.edu.