There's travel in the future for Dr. Faris and his wife Cindy. |
MOORESVILLE, Indiana –
For more than three decades, he has helped restore the mobility and the quality
of life for thousands of patients suffering from joint disorders and injuries.
Now, he is preparing for new journeys beyond the operating room.
Philip M. Faris, MD,
is retiring March 9, capping a long-time career with the prestigious Center for Hip & Knee Surgery (CHKS) at Franciscan St. Francis
Health-Mooresville. He also is a member of the Joint Replacement Surgeons of Indiana, a practice of Franciscan Physician Network.
On the eve of his
retirement, Dr. Faris was honored by colleagues, staff and family at a ceremony
held at the Mooresville hospital.
“As
one of the first orthopedic surgeons to work at the Center, Dr. Faris came to
Mooresville in 1987 to work alongside its founder, Dr. Merrill Ritter, as well
as Dr. Michael Keating,” said Peter J. Murphy, senior
vice president and COO for Franciscan St. Francis-Mooresville. “And just as we
will soon celebrate the great strides the Center has made in the past three
decades, today we focus our thoughts on all that Phil has accomplished
throughout his time here. To say that he has been a leader in the field of
orthopedics is an understatement.”
Dr.
Faris has performed 2,393 hip replacements and 4,285 knee replacements at the
Mooresville hospital.
CEO Dr. James Callaghan was among those on hand to honor Dr. Faris and recall his career. |
“Dr
Faris’ high school sports knee injury played a role in leading him to a
lifelong engagement with orthopedic surgery and fitness,” said James Callaghan,
MD, president and CEO for Franciscan St. Francis Health. “His continued
athletic and fitness activities have provided a good example of a healthy
lifestyle to our patients and employees alike.”
Certified by the
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Faris often has said it was the
clinical care he received from those injuries is what inspired him to pursue a
medical career.
Dr. Faris received his
undergraduate degree at Ball State University (BSU), where he was named MVP for
the school’s football during his senior year. He earned his medical degree from
the Indiana University School of Medicine and completed an internship and
residency at Indiana University Hospital.
Dr. Faris went on the
complete a fellowship in total knee replacement surgery at the Hospital for
Special Surgery in New York City, where he studied under the late John Insall,
MD, whose landmark work in knee surgery has been internationally recognized.
Widely published in
professional journals and a frequent presenter of orthopedic topics, Dr. Faris has
been the recipient of numerous awards from organizations, including the Arthritis
Foundation, BSU Athletic Hall of Fame and BSU Distinguished Alumni.
Dr. Faris also has travelled three times to
Operation Walk destinations, working as a not-for-profit volunteer, providing
free surgical treatments for patients in developing countries and in the United
States.
CHKS surgeons perform
about 2,500 joint replacements each year treating patients from all over the
Midwest, the nation and the world and instructing hundreds of surgeons in the
latest techniques and methods for implantation of joint implants.