In Memoriam
Lori A Karol
7th November 1961 – 26th February 2022 Obituary by Deborah Eastwood At Scottish Rite, Lori started her career as a general paediatric orthopaedic surgeon and that is also how she finished. She became a consummate academic orthopaedic surgeon contributing to the literature with all the ‘go to’ papers covering Dr Lori A Karol visits with patient Adalynn of Waxahachie (Texas). Credit: Scottish Rite for Children. a wide range of topics from gait cannot remember my first meeting with and function following clubfeet treatment Lori but somehow I feeI I have known through pulmonary function in early her all my career – wherever I went in onset scoliosis and back to function and the world of paediatric orthopaedics, energy expenditure in children who have Lori was there too, to chat to about undergone amputations. She was also an life, kids, leadership and much else. exceptionally skilled clinician and a natural educator and ‘pearls of wisdom’ were the Lori was a native of Detroit, Michigan and hallmarks of all her teaching sessions, be began her medical studies at the University they in a hospital corridor or on the podium of Michigan which cemented her love of of an international meeting. medicine and her die-hard enthusiasm for the Michigan Maize and Blue! As a resident In addition to all that, she had a true gift her talents were clear to see as she won the in connecting with patients and their AOA-Zimmer Resident Research Award and families that was unparalleled and her when she moved to Dallas for her fellowship, clinical practice impacted thousands of it began a career long relationship with the children with both simple and challenging Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. Initially, she conditions: she guided the kids and their was recruited to the University of California, families through their treatment with the Davis, but she soon came back ‘home’. skill and humanity that too few can provide.
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#Ilooklikeasurgeon – Lori on stage with Presidents of EPOS and POSNA in 2017.
60 | JTO | Volume 10 | Issue 02 | June 2022 | boa.ac.uk
We shared a ‘Tony’ mentor – mine is Tony Catterall and hers, Tony Herring. He called her “a trailblazer in the finest sense of the word. In her straightforward approach to every task, big or small, she did the work and always got the job done without fanfare or glory”. Leadership came naturally to Lori and I was privileged to be in the presidential line at EPOS whilst she was in the same line for POSNA. She was an unfailing advocate of diversity and provided the ultimate female role model. We shared a memorable #Ilooklikeasurgeon moment on stage at EPOSNA 2017 – with the organisers being surprised how long it took to get the ‘few’ women delegates on stage! She was headhunted on several occasions for a ‘Chief of Orthopaedics’ position and she finally left Dallas for Colorado Children’s Hospital in 2020 only to be diagnosed with her tumour too soon after her arrival. Lori managed to juggle work and play better than most. She cherished life, loved Jimmy Buffet (and Fleetwood Mac), read widely, was a fearless chef and a gardener, enjoyed yoga often followed (at least once to my personal knowledge!) by a glass of wine. She always took the time to get to know you and was a witty conversationalist and a truly great friend. Most importantly of all, she was devoted to the family of Bob and their three daughters, Abby, Leah and Molly. n
