Last week, a sculpture of the late Dr. Freddie H. Fu was unveiled at a ceremony in the lobby of the UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center. The bronze bust will be on permanent display as a tribute to Dr. Fu’s legacy. The sculpture was funded by donations from Fu family colleagues, former fellows, residents and friends.
“I can’t think of a better tribute to Dr. Hu than having a bust of him at UPMC’s Freddie Hu Sports Medicine Center. It reminds me of a great surgeon, innovator, educator and friend,” said Dr. William Donaldson, former Interim Chair of Orthopedic Surgery and UPMC’s longtime orthopedic spine surgeon. 
The sculptor of this work is Parker B. Donaldson, son of Dr. Donaldson and a friend of the Huss family.
“Dr. Fu has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember,” said Parker Donaldson. “Whenever we were researching what we wanted for this piece, the question was, ‘When would you put Freddy in his prime?’ It will be hard to find, and what we hope to get from this work is a place to collect our own unique experiences with him.”
Dr. Freddie Hu is the founder of UPMC’s world-renowned sports medicine program, longtime president of the Orthopedic Surgery Division at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and head team doctor of Pitt’s athletics division. He is one of Pittsburgh’s most famous and beloved doctors and has earned his title as one of his 100 most influential Pittsburgh citizens of the 20th century. pittsburgh magazine 1999.
“Freddie has chaired the Orthopedic Surgery Division for 24 years and has ranked the division among the top in the U.S., internationally and on the local UPMC Network of Sports Medicine at UPMC.” A scientist, he had an innovative mind, he was always one step ahead of anyone in orthopedics who had ever tried to publish.”
Dr. Hu is internationally acclaimed for his innovative research and teaching, and has made many clinical advances in sports medicine and orthopedic care, particularly in the treatment of knee injuries. He founded the first sports medicine program in western Pennsylvania in 1986, which evolved into his UPMC Center for Sports Medicine at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. The complex, largely conceived and designed by Dr. Hu, combines the resources of a major academic medical system with professional and collegiate sports programs, including his Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers training facilities. In 2018, following a multi-million dollar renovation and expansion of the facility, the center reopened as his UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center.
Dr. Hu’s son Gordon Hu said to more than 100 colleagues, friends and hospitals: Supporters attending the dedication ceremony. “It was only a few years ago that I came here to celebrate the naming of the building, and my family was very happy that day. I’m glad he came to see it.”
Dr. Hu has expanded and developed UPMC Sports Medicine into one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive clinical and research programs. This program brings together several leading professionals for the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of chronic and acute sport-related and non-sport-related injuries and conditions, from ankle sprains to knee ligament ruptures to concussions. independently under one roof of the .
“In leadership positions, we tend to believe that we help shape the organization, but in reality, very few people do. Freddie did a great job shaping UPMC. rice field.
Dr. Hu also played a key role as an instructor and mentor to students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, influencing thousands of medical students, residents and fellows throughout his career.
“Every student, every resident, every patient has always been particularly touched by Freddie. I think that’s something we can all celebrate,” said Pitt and John and Gertrude Petersen Dean. Dr. Anantha Shekhar, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences at of Pitt College of Medicine.
As an ardent proponent of diversity in medicine, Dr. Hu has developed one of the most ethnically and gender-diverse academic and clinical departments in the country. He is also known for his tremendous impact throughout the Pittsburgh area as a highly dedicated and enthusiastic community ambassador, having enriched the lives and boards of numerous non-profit organizations for over 30 years. We actively participate in initiatives to
“Looking out over this room, I am proud to say that we are one of the most diverse programs in the country. As Macalus Hogan puts it, “If you look around at what Freddie has built in this room, wherever you go in the world, you’ll see people from different backgrounds, different perspectives, all of a common interest.” Can you see the many individuals here for? That speaks to Freddie.”
You can read more about Dr. Hu’s incredible legacy and influence in his obituary.