Dr. Alan Wilde was a fixture in the Orthopaedic surgical world for over 4 decades, most of this time spent in the Cleveland area. He was respected widely, locally, nationally and internationally for his many contributions to his patients, his orthopaedic environments, his specialty, and his community. Dr. Wilde served as Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of the Cleveland Clinic from 1976-1991, and he practiced more than 25 years at that Institution. He presided over its growth and development and helped to shape it in to one of the most prestigious departments in the United States. He also spent 12 years in a private surgical practice, mostly at Lutheran Hospital, retiring from the active practice of surgery in 2003. He practiced non-operative orthopaedics at Lutheran until the beginning of May 2012, when his illness caught up with him.
Dr. Wilde passed away on May 25, 2012. Dr. Wilde was responsible for the training of hundreds of residents and fellows. He served as a founding member and usually as an officer for many Orthopaedics organizations, locally, regionally and nationally including being among the founding members of The Knee Society and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. His commitment to the betterment of the quality of life of the patient with arthritis was a constant theme throughout his career. Dr. Wilde was a mentor, friend and colleague to everyone in the Cleveland Orthopaedic community.