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Peter C. Rhee, D.O., M.S.

  1. Hand Surgeon
  2. Orthopedic Surgeon

Peter Charles Rhee, DO, MS, is an orthopedic hand and microvascular surgeon, with special interest in upper extremity post-traumatic reconstruction. His clinic focus includes:

  • Upper extremity reconstruction in adult and pediatric patients with brain injuries (cerebral palsy, stroke, traumatic, and anoxic) for functional or hygiene benefits.
  • Upper extremity reanimation in patients with cervical spinal cord injury.
  • Providing comprehensive evaluation and surgical management of complex upper extremity (shoulder to fingertip) bone, soft tissue, and nerve injuries.
  • Expertise in the management of arthritis, non-union, and complex ligament injuries within the wrist.
  • Promoting wide awake hand surgery in a variety of procedures to enhance recovery and outcomes.
  • Enhancing and optimizing sporting and athletic function in the upper limb.

A former active duty and current reserve hand surgeon (Lieutenant Colonel) for the United States Air Force, Dr. Rhee has a breadth of experience and knowledge in treating the traumatized upper extremity and has authored expert content within this field in high-impact scientific journals. His clinical interest in treating patients with upper motor neuron injuries (cerebrovascular accidents, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries) originate from taking care of his family members with these devastating injuries. Therefore, Dr. Rhee and his team are committed to providing compassionate and multi-disciplinary care to his patients.

Dr. Rhee is a former collegiate athlete and has a passion for everything outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. As such, he is passionate for helping patients to return to their sporting activities by employing minimally invasive and innovative surgical techniques. Due to his extensive experience in treating athletes, United States military service members and special forces soldiers, he utilizes advanced rehabilitative techniques to get his patients back to their activities as quickly as possible.

In addition to his clinical activities, Dr. Rhee has a strong interest in promoting resident/fellow education and mentorship. He is a full Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and currently serves as the Program Director for the Mayo Clinic Hand Surgery Fellowship. He is an active member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and the American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS).

  1. Avascular necrosis
  2. Brachial plexus injury
  3. Broken elbow
  4. Broken hand
  5. Broken wrist
  6. Cerebral palsy
  7. Elbow instability
  8. Hand arthritis
  9. Nerve entrapment
  10. Nonunion
  11. Quadriplegia
  12. Stroke
  13. Ulnar wrist pain
  1. Arthroscopy
  2. Free muscle transfer
  3. Hand reconstruction
  4. Joint replacement surgery
  5. Microvascular surgery
  6. Vascularized bone grafting
  7. Wrist fracture treatment
  8. Wrist reconstruction
  • Correction of spasticity in the upper and lower extremities after brain or spinal cord injury
  • Upper extremity reconstruction in spinal cord injury
  • Management of fracture nonunions with vascularized bone grafts
  • Post-traumatic reconstruction of the elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand
  • Reconstructive microsurgery
  • Peripheral nerve surgery
  • Wide awake hand surgery
  • Ligament repair and reconstruction
  1. 2013
    Fellow - Hand and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship, Division of Hand and Microvascular SurgeryMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  2. 2013
    FellowHand Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  3. 2012
    ResidentOrthopedic Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  4. 2012
    Residency - Orthopedic Surgery ResidencyMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  5. 2012
    Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), ValedictorianKirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
  6. 2012
    MS - Masters of Biomedical Science (M.S.), Orthopedic SurgeryMayo Graduate School
  7. 2008
    Internship - Internship, Department of Orthopedic SurgeryMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  8. 2003
    BA - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Major in BiologyGrinnell College

Certifications

  1. 2016
    Hand SurgeryAmerican Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  2. 2015
    Orthopedic SurgeryAmerican Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Awards and honors

  1. 2020
    Teacher of the Year. Selected by the orthopedic surgery residency and all orthopedic surgery subspecialty fellowsMayo Clinic, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  2. 2020
    Mayo Clinic Department of Orthopedic Surgery Teacher of the Year (Selected by the orthopedic surgery residency and all orthopedic surgery subspecialty fellows)Mayo Clinic Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  3. 2019
    Lean and Green AwardAmerican Association for Surgery of the Hand
  4. 2018
    Advancing Blended Education Award. (Selected to enhance the hand surgery fellowship online curriculum)Mayo Clinic
  5. 2018
    Mayo Clinic Abroad Small Grant Award. (Grant received to support ongoing humanitarian medical mission trips to Honduras and Haiti. 2018, 2019)Mayo Clinic
  6. 2017
    Sumner-Koch AwardAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand and Chicago Society for Surgery of the Hand
  7. 2017
    Mayo Hand Fellows Teacher of the Year. (Selected by the hand fellowship class of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019)Mayo Clinic
  8. 2017
    Lean and Green Award (award to deserving association member who has decreased the amount of waste generated by hand surgery and decreased total costs related to hand surgery as a result)American Association for Surgery of the Hand
  9. 2016
    Best Papers – American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Annual MeetingAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  10. 2015
    Warren R. Kadrmas Award for Excellence in TeachingSan Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium
  11. 2014
    American Orthopedic Association (AOA) - Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)American Orthopedic Association
  12. 2014
    Clinician Scientist Development ProgramAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  13. 2014
    Young Leaders Program (ASSH)American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  14. 2013
    Alice D. Jensen Fellowship in Hand SurgeryMayo School of Graduate Medical Education
  15. 2012
    Patrick J. Kelly, M.D. Outstanding Basic Science Research Award. Mayo Graduate School of Medical Education
  16. 2012
    Joseph M. Janes, M.D. Humanitarian Award. Mayo Graduate School of Medical Education
  17. 2012
    Outstanding Resident Achievement Award, Knowledge in Orthopedic Surgery. Mayo Graduate School of Medical Education
  18. 2012
    Mayo Orthopedic Trauma Program, Resident of the Year. Mayo Graduate School of Medical Education
  19. 2012
    Kelly Award FinalistMayo Graduate School of Medical Education
  20. 2007
    Stewart Award. Valedictorian of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 2007Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
  21. 2007
    Highest GPA in the study of PharmacologyTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
  22. 2007
    Who's Who among American Universities and Colleges
  23. 2003
    Dean’s ListGrinnell College
  24. 2000
    NCAA Academic All-Midwest Conference Linebacker. Fall ’00, Fall ’01, and Fall ’02.Grinnell College

Professional memberships

  1. 2021 - present
    ChairMayo Clinic Clinical Practice Committee
  2. 2020
    Program Planning CommitteeAmerican Association of Hand Surgeons
  3. 2020 - present
    MemberDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery Finance Committee
  4. 2019 - present
    FacultyMayo Graduate Education Committee (GEC) for Surgical Subspecialties, Mayo Clinic Rochester Committees; Mayo Graduate Education Committee (GEC) for Surgical Subspecialties
  5. 2019 - present
    Committee Member: Indian Health Service CommitteeAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  6. 2019 - present
    Member: Hand Fellowship Directors AssociationAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  7. 2019 - present
    MemberAmerican Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
  8. 2019 - present
    Program Planning CommitteeAmerican Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
  9. 2019 - present
    MemberClinical Orthopedic Society
  10. 2019 - present
    Board of DirectorsClinical Orthopedic Society
  11. 2018 - 2020
    Vice-ChairMayo Clinic Clinical Practice Committee
  12. 2018
    Education Committee MemberAmerican Association of Hand Surgeons
  13. 2018 - present
    Executive Committee MemberDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery
  14. 2018 - present
    Committee Member: Web-Based Longitudinal Assessment Knowlege SourceAmerican Board of Orthopedic Surgery
  15. 2018 - present
    MemberOrthopedic Research Society
  16. 2018 - present
    MemberAO North America; Hand Education Committee
  17. 2018 - present
    MemberLinscheid-Dobyns "Excellence in Wrist Surgery Award" Mayo Clinic Review Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  18. 2017 - 2019
    Co-ChairVeterans Mayo Employee Resource Group, Mayo Clinic Committees
  19. 2017 - present
    MemberEducation Committee, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
  20. 2017 - present
    Clinical Competency CommitteeDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery
  21. 2017 - present
    Chair: Military Relations CommitteeAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  22. 2017 - present
    Committee Member: Practice Division CommitteeAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  23. 2016 - present
    MemberAmerican Society of Reconstructive Microsurgeons (ASRM)
  24. 2016 - present
    MemberSelf-Assessment Examination Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  25. 2015 - present
    DiplomatAmerican Board of Orthopedic Surgery
  26. 2015 - present
    MemberCourses and Meetings Advisory Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  27. 2015 - present
    MemberResident Education Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  28. 2015 - present
    MemberPublications and Products Advisory Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  29. 2014 - present
    MemberAdrian E. Flatt Residents and Fellows Conference, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  30. 2013 - present
    MemberMilitary Relations Committee, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  31. 2012 - present
    MemberAmerican Association of Hand Surgeons
  32. 2011 - present
    MemberMid-America Orthopedic Association
  33. 2011 - present
    MemberAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
  34. 2009 - present
    MemberSociety of Military Orthopedic Surgeons (SOMOS)
  35. 2007 - present
    FellowAmerican Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS)
  36. 2007 - present
    MemberAO Trauma North America

Publications