ICSES Codman Lecture Preview (6/9)

Dear Colleagues:

It is not clear to me who helped and supported Codman, let alone mentored him. His life was marked by controversy and friction with colleagues. Although he found a friend in Harvey Cushing, the great neurosurgeon, I do not know whether anyone helped him navigate his own shortcomings or the personal approach he took to advancing his ideas. Perhaps, some of you have been fortunate enough to have a mentor — a leader who not only gave you opportunities but helped you course-correct when your own approach became problematic.

I would like to dedicate this year's Codman Lecture to James H. Herndon. He was my boss at both institutions where I worked, and he did far more than give me the opportunity to work for him — he was essential to my academic success and to my later pivot into the business side of orthopedics. Perhaps Codman, too, would have been more effective in his day had he had someone like Jim Herndon as his mentor.

Best regards,

Jon “J.P.” Warner MD

Founder, The Codman Shoulder Society