Terry L. Thompson, MD

The Charles H. Epps, Jr. Chair in Orthopedic Surgery at Howard University College of Medicine is the first chair named for an African-American orthopedic surgeon. Epps earned his medical degree with honors from Howard University, trained in orthopedic surgery at Freedmen's Hospital (now Howard University Hospital) and at D.C. General Hospital, and joined the college of medicine faculty, rising to chief of orthopedic surgery and director of residency training. Epps demonstrated unparalleled leadership, training and dedication to advancing orthopedic surgery. During his years as division chief and professor, he trained more African-American men and women in orthopedic surgery and taught the specialty to more African-American medical students than anyone in the world. From 1988-1994, Epps was dean of the college of medicine. Under his leadership, the college's endowment more than tripled to $42 million; the number of endowed chairs grew from one to five; endowment funds were developed for seven dean's lectures, 10 department and center lectures, and three existing lectures were enhanced. The college was reaccredited and its faculty practice plan reorganized. After serving as vice president for health affairs and acting chief executive officer of Howard University Hospital from 1994-1996, and as a special assistant to President H. Patrick Swygert, Epps retired in 2001. The chair will give lasting institutional and public recognition to Epps'distinguished career as a medical pioneer, educator, clinician, surgeon, healthcare administrator and mentor.