The Charles M. Schwartz, MD, Memorial Foundation Remembers Its Namesake

Charles “Chuck” M. Schwartz, MD, was a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon and a national leader in the field of total joint replacement surgery. Colleagues at Loyola University Health System (Loyola) as well as his many students and patients respected Dr. Schwartz as a skilled surgeon, gifted teacher and member of the Loyola family. He is fondly remembered as an effective communicator and caregiver who earned the confidence and trust of his patients.

“Dr. Schwartz’s patients adored him,” said Mary Lutes, RN, clinical coordinator, of the Charles M. Schwartz, MD, Center for Musculoskeletal Care. Terry R. Light, MD, Dr. William M. Scholl Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, and chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation, added, “Chuck always was the patient’s advocate. He was determined to ensure that every patient received the best possible care.”

Dr. Schwartz received his medical degree from the Chicago Medical School at the University of Health Science in North Chicago, and completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC). He also completed a trauma fellowship in Toronto and a total joint fellowship at Harvard University in Boston.
He joined the LUMC full-time faculty in 1980 and steadily built his practice in orthopaedic and total joint replacement surgeries with the help of many enthusiastic referrals from colleagues and satisfied patients. He was promoted to associate professor in 1984. He also served as chief of the orthopaedic section of the Department of Surgery at Edward Hines Jr. Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital. Dr. Schwartz went into private practice in 1993 but continued to bring his most difficult cases back to Loyola.

Following Dr. Schwartz’s unexpected passing at the age of 47, family and friends founded The Charles M. Schwartz, MD, Memorial Foundation to honor his legacy.

In 1997, the foundation made a $300,000 pledge to Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (Stritch) to establish:

• The Charles M. Schwartz, MD, Annual Lectureship: Conducted by a leading orthopaedic doctor or academician specializing in joint replacement surgery, the lecture promotes research and education in the field of total joint replacement.
• The Charles M. Schwartz, MD, Traveling Fellowship: This fellowship provides an annual stipend, which enables an orthopaedic fellow to travel to other medical institutions and collaborate with internationally renowned surgeons.
• The Charles M. Schwartz, MD, Medical Student Scholarship: This annual scholarship is granted to a medical student(s) based on financial need.
  

In 2001, the foundation pledged an additional $100,000, with $75,000 designated to the Charles M. Schwartz, MD, Medical Student Scholarship and $25,000 to support the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation’s research efforts in the area of total joint replacement.

In 2003, Jack Schwartz chose to establish a more significant and visible memorial to his son. Using appreciated securities worth more than $500,000, he established a charitable remainder annuity trust to benefit the medical center. To recognize this contribution, Loyola named the Musculoskeletal Care Center in his son’s honor.

On Dec. 15, 2003, family, former colleagues and friends gathered to witness the dedication of the Charles M. Schwartz, MD, Center for Musculoskeletal Care at the Loyola Outpatient Center. “My dad really wanted to create something long-lasting that would honor Chuck’s memory for generations to come,” said brother Marc Schwartz. “Our family is pleased to have the opportunity to create something meaningful out of this tragedy.”

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