Horizon Health Welcomes Renowned Orthopedic Surgeon

Paris native returns home, teams with existing service

A Paris native and Harvard-trained orthopedic surgeon is returning home and helping to expand Horizon Health’s existing orthopedics program.

W. Andrew Hodge, MD, will join Ronald Wheeler, MD, and Angie Hamilton, family nurse practitioner, on a part-time basis in the Paris Clinic. Dr. Hodge is a fellowship-trained arthritis surgeon specializing in hip and knee who was born and raised in Paris.

“I’m coming back to a place that I am grateful to and enjoyed growing up in,” he said. “I’ve always looked at where I can use my skills to make the most impact in helping people.”

In 2019, Dr. Hodge will spend approximately 10 days per month in Paris, then expand his time in 2020 based on need. In addition, he will continue his bioengineering research/development work in Scottsdale, Arizona, and his international orthopedic work in the Middle East and India.

“I’m very impressed with the potential Horizon Health has in orthopedics, as well as its brand new and expanded rehabilitation department,” Dr. Hodge added.

Dr. Hodge has treated more than 100,000 people with arthritis and performed more than 6,000 knee replacements and 4,000 hip replacements. He holds several US patents on orthopedic implants and technologies, and has published more than 60 articles in prominent medical journals. Dr. Hodge was recently awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his international surgical contributions, an award presented to six US presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and other humanitarians.

“I have always tried to apply the latest technologies in solving orthopedic problems caused by injury, aging, and disease,” Dr. Hodge said. “I was determined to help patients move better and live longer.”

Paris Connection

Dr. Hodge is also coming back to Paris to spend more time with his brother, Jeff. Jeff is married to Carolyn Hodge, and for many years, was a science teacher at Shiloh school. Dr. Hodge worked in his family’s hardware store in Paris while he was growing up, learning the basic trade of tools and building repair. The store, being in business for more than 150 years, was located on the square’s east side and is now an antique store.

“Throughout my career I guess you could say I combined orthopedics, engineering, and the hardware business,” he said, laughingly.

Dr. Hodge is a 1970 graduate of Paris High School. He attended the University of Illinois and earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago. He completed a fellowship in Adult Joint Reconstruction Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard-Boston), and another in bioengineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT-Boston) before practicing orthopedics in Boston for many years. Dr. Hodge is the founder and chief medical officer of the Institute for Mobility and Longevity, a non-profit organization that supports orthopedic research and education.

Dr. Hodge will be available in the Paris Clinic several days each month. To make an appointment with Dr. Hodge, call (217) 466-4714.