Susan E. Mackinnon, MD, Receives 2023 Honorary Member Award

Susan E. Mackinnon, MD, is recognized for her achievements in the area of nerve transfer procedures and outstanding achievements in clinical care, community service, research and teaching. AANEM’s Honorary Member Award is granted to nonmember physicians or scientific investigators who are major contributors to the field of NM, EDX, neurophysiology, or MSK disease by virtue of teaching, research, and scholarly publications. 

Dr. Mackinnon received her medical degree from Queens University and completed a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery and research fellowship in neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. She continued to develop her specialty and competed a fellowship in hand surgery at the Raymond Curtis Hand Center, Union Memorial Hospital. 

Dr. Mackinnon is the Minot Packer Fryer Professor of Surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She pioneered the development of surgical nerve transfers and a new method of successfully treating patients with severe injuries affecting peripheral nerves and the brachial plexus, and she has trained many surgeons nationally and internationally in the use of nerve transfer techniques. Dr. Mackinnon consistently collaborates with EDX physicians to assess patients both before and after nerve transfer procedures. 

Dr. Mackinnon has received numerous accolades in her career thus far, including the Jacobson Innovation Award from the American College of Surgeons; membership in the National Academy of Medicine; Clinician of the Year Award, Research Achievement Award for Basic Science, and Distinguished Fellow Award from the American Association of Plastic Surgeons; and served as president of the AAPS, AAHS, PSRC, and ASPN. She has also been recognized with a Distinguished Faculty Award - Distinguished Educator from the Washington University School of Medicine for her dedication to surgical education and commitment to mentoring surgical trainees, postdoctoral students, residents, and fellows. She has helped hundreds of mentees follow their passions, while serving as division chief, becoming a world-renowned hand surgeon, and conducting groundbreaking research on nerve allotransplantation and nerve transfer. 

Dr. Mackinnon was surprised and honored to receive this award. She said, “When you’re recognized by a group that is not in your academic family, it’s extra special. So to be recognized by a nonsurgical specialty that I care very much about is a true honor."