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Biography

COL(Ret) Gerlinger was commissioned from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York and awarded a Bachelor of Science degree. He graduated from medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Gerlinger completed a Transitional Internship at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Washington, and a Fellowship in Adult Reconstruction at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois. His military education includes the Army Medical Department Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Army Flight Surgeon Course (Distinguished Honor Graduate), Navy Undersea Medicine Course, Jumpmaster School (Honor Graduate), Airborne and Air Assault School. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College. 

COL(Ret) Gerlinger served as the Program Director, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) Orthopaedic Surgery Residency from 2008 to 2013, and as Chief of Adult Reconstruction, San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) since 2005. The SAUSHEC Orthopaedic Surgery Residency is the largest Orthopaedic Residency in the Department of Defense (DoD) and SAMMC is the DoD's only Level I Trauma Center. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is an Associate Professor of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. 

COL(Ret) Gerlinger deployed to Kosovo with Task Force Falcon, Operation Joint Guardian, in 2001. He served with the 274th Forward Surgical Team (Airborne), the first FST deployed into Afghanistan, for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001. Dr. Gerlinger served with the Joint Special Operations Task Force in the initial actions of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003. He returned to Afghanistan in 2011 with the 936th Forward Surgical Team, serving with the Norwegian Provincial Reconstruction Team at Forward Operating Base Meymaneh. 

COL(Ret) Gerlinger's decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. He has also been awarded the Combat Medical Badge twice, Expert Field Medical Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Australian, Romanian and Egyptian Parachutist Badges. COL Gerlinger is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit, is a Ridder, Den Blodrøde Bondasjes Orden (Knight, Order of the Blood Red Bandage-Norway), has been awarded the Surgeon General's 'A' Proficiency Designator and is an Eagle Scout. 

COL(Ret) Gerlinger is a Past President of the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons and is the Program Director for the SOMOS/AAOS/OTA Disaster Response Course. He has served as a Representative, the Board of Specialty Societies, and on the Education Committee for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He currently is a Consultant on the International Committee Disaster Preparedness Project Team and serves on the Central Instructional Course Committee for the AAOS. Dr. Gerlinger is also a reviewer for Military Medicine and the Journal of Arthroplasty and is the originating online co-editor for the 'Disaster Preparedness Toolbox', Wheelessonline.com. 

In addition to his expertise in the management of battlefield injuries and complex hip and knee reconstructions, Dr. Gerlinger recently reported on his use of major joint replacements to return American soldiers to active duty. In a series of active soldiers treated with joint replacement, 86% returned to active duty while 70% were able to deploy to a combat zone and complete a full tour of duty as assigned.

Curriculum Vitae

Practice Emphasis

Joint Replacement

Disclosures

AAOS Record of Disclosure

Clinical Support Staff

  • Kelly Murray (RN)
  • Alissa Winner (DNP, ACNP-BC)

Administrative Support Staff

  • Kelly Anaya (SEC)
  • Terra Hardy (SEC)

Education / Certifications

  • Medical School
    Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
  • Residency
    Orthopaedic Surgery, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA
  • Fellowship
    Fellowship in Adult Reconstruction, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
  • Certification
    Orthopaedic Surgery

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Hospital / Surgical Locations

Gold Coast Surgicenter

845 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 985W
Chicago, IL 60611 

Rush Oak Brook Surgery Center

2011 York Road
Oak Brook, Illinois 60523

Rush University Medical Center

1653 W. Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60612

South Suburban Surgical Suites

9200 Calumet Ave suite e-100,

Munster, IN 46321

Physician Office Locations

Chicago

1611 West Harrison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60612

Oak Brook

2011 York Road
Oak Brook, Illinois 60523