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Erik Dorf, MDErik Dorf, MD

Dr. Dorf joined Vail • Summit Orthopaedics in 2008. He specializes in general orthopaedic trauma with subspecialties in upper extremity surgery including hand, elbow and shoulder. Dr. Dorf is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Most recently, he was a fellow in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at Wake Forest University and Chief Resident in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Dorf brings local, national and international, perspective to our community. A native of Eagle County, Dr. Dorf graduated from Battle Mountain High school in 1988. He spent eight years teaching skiing in the Vail valley, Austria and France. As Founder and Director of Building With Books, he directed on-site schoolhouse construction and coordinated community development for the construction of three schools in Brazil, Malawi Africa and Nepal. From 2005 to 2007, he was appointed UVA Liaison to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Delighted to be back home, Dr. Dorf sums up his approach to orthopaedic medicine like this, "I always ask: What is the injury limiting you to do? If you don't improve those specific things, you aren't helping actually eliminate the problem. It's rewarding to have a patient improve from lying in bed to working and recreating," he said, citing an example of a 70-year-old woman who recovered from a broken femur, returning to the ski slopes.

UNDERGRADUATE

  • Middlebury College, 1992

MEDICAL SCHOOL/TRAINING

  • 2007-2008 Wake Forest University, Fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
  • 2006-2007 University of Virginia, Chief Resident in Orthopaedic Surgery
  • 2002-2006 University of Virginia, Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery
  • University of Colorado, Doctor of Medicine

BOARD CERTIFICATION

  • 2007: Passed Step 1 National Orthopaedic board examination
  • Board Eligible Orthopaedic surgeon
  • 2007: BLS Certification
  • 2007: ACLS Certification

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS

  • 2004-2008: Numerous Journal Publications, Book Chapters and Invited Articles
  • 2005: 4th Annual AOA-OREF-Zimmer Resident Leadership Award
  • 2004: UVA Award for Highest Orthopaedic In-Training Exam Score
  • 2003: Junior Resident of the Year, University of Virginia, Department of Orthopaedics
  • 2000: Award for Academic Excellence during second year medical school
  • 1998: First Place: World Alpine Synchro Ski Championships
  • 1994: Community Service Award for work with Building With Books

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Orthopaedic Trauma
  • Upper Extremity Surgery, Hand, Elbow and Shoulder

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

  • 2005-2007: UVA resident Liaison to American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • 2006-2007: Administrative Chief Resident UVA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

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