Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael Sussman, M.D.

Last week, Michael Sussman, M.D., pediatric orthopaedic physician at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Portland, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM). He was presented the award at the annual AACPDM meeting, which was held virtually this year due to COVID-19. The recipient of this award is honored for making creative contributions of outstanding significance to the field of medicine, and for the benefit of patients with cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset disabilities.

Dr. Sussman joined the Portland Shriners Hospital team in 1992 and was instrumental in forming the clinical research department, a team of clinicians dedicated to examining the efficacy of the treatments provided to patients. Throughout his career, Dr. Sussman has always advocated for our patients and the best course of action for their care. As a result, he revolutionized the patient-care model at the Portland Shriners Hospital by instituting a team approach to the management of children with musculoskeletal disorders. His personal dedication to sharing his knowledge and challenging those who work beside him to critically evaluate the options for care for children with childhood-onset disabilities enhances the lives of the patients he sees.

Susan Sienko, Ph.D., clinical researcher at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Portland, has worked closely with Dr. Sussman for many years. “Dr. Sussman is not only a mentor and colleague, he is truly a friend,” said Susan. “There are no words to describe the impact that Dr. Sussman has had on my life both professionally and personally.”

In addition to thanking Dr. Sussman for his dedication to Shriners Hospitals for Children — Portland over the years, we want to congratulate him on this impressive achievement – it is truly an honor to be celebrated!