Gary F. Updegrove

Gary F. Updegrove, MD, serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Division of Shoulder and Elbow at Penn State Bone and Joint Institute within Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (2019), he maintains active memberships in the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (2019–present), Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society (2018–present), Orthopaedic Trauma Association (2014–present), and American Medical Association (2010–present).

His educational foundation includes an MD from Penn State College of Medicine (2010), Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (2015), Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center (2016), and Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship at the Rothman Institute (2017).

Dr. Updegrove's clinical expertise centers on reconstruction of degenerative and traumatic shoulder/elbow conditions, specializing in anatomic/reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, elbow replacements, complex fracture management, and rotator cuff repair. His research program investigates clinical outcomes in shoulder arthroplasty and biomechanics of fracture fixation, generating 30 publications with notable recent work on compliant locking plates and dynamic fracture fixation systems. This scholarly output demonstrates consistent focus on improving surgical techniques for upper extremity trauma and joint reconstruction.

His scientific contributions have been recognized through:

• Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2022)
• Gold Humanism Honor Society Member (2010)
• Mary Louise Witmer Jones Resident Humanitarian Award (2011)
• Resident Leadership Award (2013)

In academic leadership, Dr. Updegrove manages resident training in shoulder and elbow surgery while serving on the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency curriculum committee. He actively participates in medical student musculoskeletal education and has presented at national conferences including 'New Developments in Elbow Trauma Management' (2019). His collaborative research network spans multiple institutions as evidenced by co-authorship on biomechanical studies and clinical reviews.

As integral member of the Division of Shoulder and Elbow within the Penn State Bone and Joint Institute, he contributes to a multidisciplinary team advancing patient care through innovation in surgical techniques and evidence-based practice for complex upper extremity disorders.