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CURRICULUM VITAE

Adam Thiessen MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery

OFFICE ADDRESS:
Children’s Wisconsin - Milwaukee Hospital
8915 W Connell Court
Milwaukee, WI 53226

EDUCATION:
2005 - 2009 Bachelor of Science in Physics, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS
2009 - 2013 MD, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING AND FELLOWSHIP APPOINTMENTS:
07/01/2013 - 06/30/2018 Resident, Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, 8701 W. Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226
08/01/2018 - 07/31/2019 Dorothy and Bryant Edwards Fellow, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, TX

FACULTY APPOINTMENTS:
08/01/2019 - Present Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226

ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS:
07/01/2017 - 06/30/2018 Administrative Chief Resident, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS:
07/01/2021 - Present Associate Residency Program Director, Orthopedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin

HOSPITAL STAFF PRIVILEGES:
08/01/2019 - Present Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Children's Wisconsin, 8915 W Connell Ct, Milwaukee, WI 53226
08/01/2019 - Present Orthopedic Surgery, Froedtert Hospital, 900 N 92nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53226

SPECIALTY BOARDS AND CERTIFICATION:
Board Certified
Issue DateExpiration
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
11/18/2021
12/31/2031
   
Licensure
Number Issue DateExpiration
Wisconsin State Medical License
63390-20
10/2021
10/31/2025
    

AWARDS AND HONORS:
2023 Jeffrey P. Schwab Excellence in Academic Teaching Award, MCW Department of Orthopedic Surgery
2024 Pediatric Clerkship Outstanding Pediatric Teacher of Medical Students among Non-DOP Departments, MCW Department of Pediatrics
- 2025 Donald A. Hackbarth Humanism in Medicine Faculty Award, MCW Department of Orthopedic Surgery

MEMBERSHIPS IN HONORARY AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:
2012 - Present Gold Humanism Honor Society (Member)
2012 - Present Alpha Omega Alpha (Member)
2017 - Present American Orthopaedic Association Emerging Leaders Program (Member)
2017 - Present American Orthopaedic Association (Member)
05/22/2018 - Present Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America (Candidate Member)
08/2019 - Present Milwaukee Orthopedic Society (Member)
2020 - Present American Orthopaedic Association Council of Residency Directors (CORD) (Member)
01/2021 - 12/2024 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (Candidate Member)

EDITORSHIPS/EDITORIAL BOARDS/JOURNAL REVIEWS:
Journal Review
2022 - Present Journal of Surgical Education

LOCAL/REGIONAL APPOINTED LEADERSHIP AND COMMITTEE POSITIONS:
07/01/2025 - Present Member, Faculty Benefits Committee, Medical College of Wisconsin

INVITED LECTURES/WORKSHOPS/PRESENTATIONS:
Local
Thiessen A, Patient Satisfaction in the Outpatient Setting, MCW Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds, Milwaukee, WI, 11/16/2016
Thiessen A, Physicians as Teachers, MCW Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds, Milwaukee, WI, 09/13/2017
Thiessen A, The Happy Surgeon: An Evidence-Based Guide, MCW Department of Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds, Milwaukee, WI, 09/16/2020
Thiessen A, Lower Limb Differences, Children's Wisconsin Pediatric Orthopedic Multidisciplinary Continuing Education, Milwaukee, WI, 06/28/2023
Thiessen A, Lower Limb Differences, Children's Wisconsin PT/OT Lunch and Learn, Milwaukee, WI, 10/02/2023
Thiessen A, Lower Extremity Coronal Plane Deformity, Children's Wisconsin Pediatric Orthopedic Multidisciplinary Continuing Education, Milwaukee, WI, 04/02/2025
Thiessen A, Lower Extremity Length Difference, Children's Wisconsin Pediatric Orthopedic Multidisciplinary Continuing Education, Milwaukee, WI, 05/21/2025
 

COMMITTEE SERVICE:
Medical College of Wisconsin
08/2016 - 07/2017 Member, Improvement of Grand Rounds Committee, Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin
07/2017 - 06/2018 Chairperson, Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Advisory Committee, Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin
08/2019 - Present Assistant Director, Resident Mentoring Program Committee, Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin
08/2019 - Present Member, Clinical Competency Committee, Orthopedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin
08/2019 - Present Member, Program Evaluation Committee, Orthopedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin
04/2024 - Present Advisor, Residency Social Media Committee, Orthopedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin
07/01/2025 - Present Member, Faculty Benefits Committee, Medical College of Wisconsin
 

MCW TEACHING ACTIVITIES:
Medical Student Education
Welcome to Orthopaedics: Doing Well on Your Orthopedic Surgery Rotation (Recurring - Multiple times per year)
 
Resident and Fellow Education
09/2019 - Present Pediatric Orthopaedic Core Conferences
02/21/2020 Bioskills Module 5: Casting & Splinting
09/09/2020 Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Case Discussion
01/27/2021 Hip B (Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis)
02/02/2021 Bioskills Module 8: Bone Handling & Osteotomy
02/02/2021 Bioskills Module 5: Casting & Splinting
06/09/2021 Foot B (Pes valgus, Cavovarus, Calcaneovalgus)
11/10/2021 Skeletal Dysplasia
02/14/2022 Bioskills Module 5: Casting & Splinting
02/14/2022 Bioskills Module 8: Bone Handling & Osteotomy
02/16/2022 Personal Finance: Protecting Your Assets
03/09/2022 Leg Length Discrepancy
05/25/2022 Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Case Discussion
07/11/2022 Camp Schwab - Intro to ArthoS Simulators and Pediatric Ortho Service Orientation /Casting Class (Residents)
08/20/2022 Personal Finance: Debt Management
10/05/2022 Rare Genetic Diseases of Orthopedic Significance
11/16/2022 Personal Finance: Investing I
01/25/2023 Hip B (Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis)
02/13/2023 Bioskills Module 5: Casting & Splinting
02/13/2023 Bioskills Module 8: Bone Handling & Osteotomy
04/26/2023 Foot B (Tarsal Coalitions, Cavovarus, Calcaneovalgus)
05/10/2023 Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Case Discussion: Pediatric Foot Conditions
05/31/2023 Personal Financing: Investing II
08/12/2023 Personal Finance: Debt Management
10/04/2023 Personal Finance: Protecting Your Assets
10/25/2023 Pediatric Orthopedics OITE Review
02/12/2024 Bioskills Module 5: Casting & Splinting
02/12/2024 Bioskills Module 8: Bone Handling & Osteotomies
02/28/2024 Other Neuromuscular Conditions
04/17/2024 Personal Finance: Investing I
06/12/2024 Skeletal Dysplasia and Mucopolysaccharidosis
10/02/2024 Genetics and Embryology
10/23/2024 Pediatric Orthopedics OITE Review
01/22/2025 Hip B (Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis)
02/17/2025 Bioskills Module 5: Casting & Splinting
02/17/2025 Bioskills Module 8: Bone Handling & Osteotomies
02/26/2025 Foot B (Tarsal Coalitions, Cavovarus, Calcaneovalgus, AVN)
 

MCW STUDENTS, FACULTY, RESIDENTS AND CLINICAL/RESEARCH FELLOWS MENTORED:
Medical Students
2020 - 2021 Thomas Langer, Academic Mentorship, Medical College of Wisconsin
2021 - 2023 Sarah Kurkowski, M3/M4 Academic Mentorship, Medical College of Wisconsin
2021 - 2022 Ethan Wen, M1/M2 Preceptorship, Medical College of Wisconsin
2022 - 2024 Kathryn Henry, M4 Academic Mentorship, Medical College of Wisconsin
2022 - 2023 Michael Thimmesch, M1 Academic Preceptorship and Mentorship, Medical College of Wisconsin
2023 - 2025 Ethan Wen, M3/M4 Academic Mentorship, Medical College of Wisconsin
 
Residents
2020 - 2023 Erik Van Eperen, MD, Academic Mentorship, Medical College of Wisconsin
2021 - 2023 Adam Hadro, MD, Academic Mentorship, Medical College of Wisconsin
2021 - 2024 Conor McBride, MD, Academic Mentorship, Medical College of Wisconsin
 

OTHER MENTORING ACTIVITIES:
07/01/2024 - Present Orthopedic Surgery Resident Class of 2029 Class Advisor
 

COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES:
2014 Sideline Physician: Milwaukee Public Schools High School Football
 


BIBLIOGRAPHY
Refereed Journal Publications/Original Papers
1. Liu, Xue-Cheng; Rizza, Robert; Hebert, Claire; Thometz, John; Tassone, Channing; Escott, Benjamin; Thiessen, Adam; Anewenter, Vincent. Development of 3D-printed braces protocol for juvenile idiopathic scoliosis: From the torso measurement and mechanical properties to preliminary experience on fitting. Prosthetics and Orthotics International ():10.1097/PXR.0000000000000404, November 12, 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/PXR.0000000000000404
2. Schmidt N, Thiessen A, Selthafner M, Liu XC. Can surface topography reliably determine the Rigo classification system? Eur Spine J. 2025 Feb;34(2):565-571.
3. Cinquegrani E, Giese D, Driscoll J, Basmayor A, Perry M, Thiessen A. Have Degree, Will Travel? Geography and Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Match. J Surg Educ. 2025 Feb;82(2):103352.
4. Liu XC, Rizza R, Hebert C, Thometz J, Tassone C, Escott B, Thiessen A, Anewenter V. Development of 3D-printed braces protocol for juvenile idiopathic scoliosis: From the torso measurement and mechanical properties to preliminary experience on fitting Prosthetics and Orthotics International. 2024.
5. Schmidt N, Thiessen A, Selthafner M, Yang K, Liu XC. Surface topography based RCS. Eur Spine J. 2025 Oct;34(10):4776-4777.
6. Liu XC, Rizza R, Hebert C, Thometz J, Tassone C, Escott B, Thiessen A, Anewenter V. Development of 3D-printed braces protocol for juvenile idiopathic scoliosis: From the torso measurement and mechanical properties to preliminary experience on fitting. Prosthet Orthot Int. 2024 Nov 12;49(4):445-450.
7. Ries AG, Barry KK, Thiessen A, Plunk MR, King DM, Holland KE, Carlberg VM. Capillary Venous Malformation With Undergrowth and Activating PIK3CA Variant: An Underrecognized Phenotype. Pediatr Dermatol. 2025 Aug 09.
8. Schmidt N, Thiessen A, Selthafner M, Yang K, Liu XC. Correction: Answer to the Letter to the Editor of M. Cao, et al. concerning "Can surface topography reliably determine the Rigo classification system?" by N. Schmidt, et al. (Eur Spine J [2025]: doi:10.1007/s00586-024-08611-0). Eur Spine J. 2025 Nov 04.
 
Books, Chapters, and Reviews
1. Chapter written - Westberry D, Wimberly L, Bryan C, Theissen A, Boddapati V, Shah RP, Nowicki PD. Orthopedic leg and knee surgery for patients with cerebral palsy. In: Nowicki PD, ed. Orthopedic Care of Patients with Cerebral Palsy: A clinical guide to evaluation and management across the lifespan. New York: Springer; 2020: 145-170.
 
Abstracts
1. Horng J, Liu XC, Tassone C, Escott B, Thiessen A, Thometz J, Correlations Between Cobb Angle and Center of Pressure Trajectories During Gait in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Poster presented at: Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting; February 12-16, 2021; Virtual.
2. Schmidt N, Thiessen A, Selthafner M, Liu XC. Determination of Rigo classification in AIS using 3D surface topography: Reliability and new modifier. Poster presented at: Medical College of Wisconsin Medical Student Summer Research Training and Education Program; October 12, 2023; Milwaukee, WI.
3. Schmidt N, Thiessen A, Selthafner M, Liu XC. Can surface topography reliably determine the Rigo classification system? Paper presented at: 19th SOSORT International Congress of the Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment; May 3, 2024; Boston, MA.
4. Schmidt N, Thiessen A, Selthafner M, Liu XC, Validation of Surface Topographic Image-based Rigo Classification System. Paper presented at: International Research Society of Spinal Deformities (IRSSD); June 20-23, 2024; Hong Kong.
5. Schmidt N, Johnson G, Nencka A, Muftuler T, Thiessen A, Liu XC, Development of AI-based Rigo classification system for AIS. Poster presented at: Orthopedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting; February 7-11, 2025; Phoenix, AZ.
6. Schmidt N, Thiessen A, Selthafner M, Liu XC. Can X-ray be substituted with surface topography for the Rigo classification system in the management of AIS? Poster presented at: Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting; February 7-11, 2025; Phoenix, AZ.
7. Schmidt N, Thiessen A, Selthafner M, Liu XC. Conservative management of scoliosis: Evaluating surface topography for the Rigo system. Paper presented at: 5th International Conference on Future of Preventive Medicine and Public Health; March 21, 2025; London, UK.