J. Andy Sullivan, MD

J. Andy Sullivan, MD ’69, HS ’74, is currently in part-time retirement from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, where he was the Don H. O’Donoghue Endowed Chair. He is known for his significant impact in advancing orthopedic care of children around the world and for his outstanding contributions to medical training in Oklahoma.

Sullivan’s career, colleagues say, is characterized by integrity, excellence, respect and service.  In his 37 years at Oklahoma, he has earned a reputation as a steady leader, caring physician and exemplary teacher and mentor. He spent 12 years as head of the orthopedic department, and also served as president of the university’s professional practice plan, pediatric medical director for Children’s Hospital and chief medical officer for the University of Oklahoma Medical Center.

Sullivan was a prolific researcher earlier in his career, with many peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters to his credit. He remains scientifically active as the pediatric section editor for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons’ Orthopedic Knowledge Online database.

He retired from full-time clinical practice in 2007 but still teaches and works part-time as a clinical professor in pediatric orthopedics. Known for his wonderful bedside manner, he is now caring for the children of many of his patients. Among his biggest clinical challenges was performing a life-saving on-site amputation for a victim of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. As an educator, he is an exceptional role model who is among the most popular and respected mentors among his institution’s orthopedics faculty. He was the 2013 recipient of the Gold Humanism in Medicine award at OU.

With a longstanding commitment to service, Sullivan volunteered with CURE International and other organizations providing orthopedics care to children in Romania and several Latin American nations. He currently holds leadership roles with the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and he continues his long history of active work with the Oklahoma Physicians Recovery Program. He was president of the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America in 1996.

After earning his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in 1965 and his medical degree from Washington University in 1969, Sullivan completed residency training at Barnes Hospital. He was the Carl Berg Traveling Fellow in Pediatric Orthopedics 1974. He spent two years as a major in the Army Medical Corp, then joined the University of Oklahoma faculty in 1976.

The Washington University Medical Center Alumni Association is pleased to present its Alumni Achievement Award to Dr. Sullivan.