In Memory of Arthur Steffee, M.D.
On his 90th birthday, August 16, 2024, while tending to the beautiful mountain top property in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, just 22 miles from his hometown of Oil City, the renowned spine surgeon Arthur Steffee, M.D., passed away. Tragically, while attempting to pull wisteria from pine trees, Dr. Steffee, one of the founding figures in modern spine surgery, left us. His passing has deeply saddened all of us at Dr. Louis Keppler & Associates, where he will be profoundly missed.
Dr. Steffee was a man of boundless vision, innovation, and dedication, leaving an indelible mark on the world of spine surgery. He was the founder of AcroMed Corporation and mentored thousands of surgeons, always pushing the boundaries of what was possible in medicine. His contributions to modern spine care are immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
A Life of Purpose and Innovation
Arthur Steffee was born in 1934 in Oil City, Pennsylvania, a small town that shaped his humble beginnings. From a young age, it was clear that he had an extraordinary drive to make a difference. Growing up in a family with modest means, he was the oldest of three children, with his mother being a schoolteacher and his father a bank teller. Despite financial challenges, Steffee pursued a career in medicine, driven by his mother's insistence that he and his brother should become doctors. His determination, combined with the generous support of a local dentist, allowed him to attend medical school at McGill University in Montreal, where tuition for Americans at the time was just $740 per year.
Steffee's medical career was a remarkable journey of passion and persistence. He married his childhood sweetheart, Eddie Hodgkinson, whose father was a member of the Cleveland Clinic’s founding staff. Eddie’s father became one of Steffee’s early influences, reinforcing his decision to enter the medical field. Together, Art and Eddie forged a life of partnership and love, raising a family and pursuing their dreams.
Throughout his career, Steffee’s relentless curiosity and innovative spirit led him to countless breakthroughs. His contributions to the development of orthopedic implants, including hip and knee prosthetics, and his pioneering work with spine surgery have transformed the field. His groundbreaking invention of the pedicle screw and bone plate system revolutionized spine surgery, allowing for quicker patient recovery and better outcomes.
Steffee's ability to "do things because he could" was a hallmark of his character. From his early days experimenting with chimpanzee hand joints to his creation of the rotary lawnmower before they were commercially available, Steffee’s mind never ceased seeking solutions. His grandfather, an inventor himself, seemed to pass on a creative gene that flourished in Art.
The Creation of AcroMed
In 1983, Steffee co-founded AcroMed with Cleveland businessman Ed Wagner to bring his innovative bone screw and plate system to market. At the time, using screws in the spine was controversial, but Dr. Steffee’s inventive mind found a way to make it work. His breakthrough came while operating on a spine and realizing that placing a bone screw into the pedicle would provide better stability. His development of the variable screw placement technique laid the foundation for modern spine surgery, offering patients quicker recovery times and vastly improved surgical outcomes.
Through AcroMed, Steffee helped change the landscape of spinal surgery, and his inventions remain essential tools in operating rooms worldwide. His vision, tenacity, and passion for innovation earned him a place among the most influential surgeons in spine history. Despite his monumental successes, he remained humble, always driven by a desire to improve patient care.
Legacy and Remembrance
Arthur Steffee’s contributions to medicine extended far beyond his innovations. He was a mentor to thousands of surgeons, and his influence reached across the globe. His love for his work was matched only by his love for his family, including his wife Eddie, who remained by his side throughout his career, and his children.
Dr. Louis Keppler & Associates will forever cherish the memories and impact of Arthur Steffee. His passing is a profound loss for our practice and the field of spine surgery. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and all who were fortunate enough to know and work alongside him. His spirit of relentless innovation, compassion, and dedication to advancing medicine will never be forgotten.
May Dr. Arthur Steffee rest in peace, knowing that his life's work continues to change lives for the better.
This was published in Orthopedics Today and was written by Robin Young.
