David A. Spiegel, BS’85, MD’90, HS’90-’96, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Humanitarian Award by the Duke Medical Alumni Association in recognition of his extraordinary global impact and commitment to advancing pediatric orthopaedic care.
A pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, professor of orthopaedic surgery, and Denis S. Drummond Endowed Chair in Pediatric Orthopaedics at the University of Pennsylvania, Spiegel has spent nearly three decades advancing high‑quality musculoskeletal care in settings with limited surgical capacity.
Spiegel began his global work in 1996 at the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children (HRDC) in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he introduced the Ponseti method for clubfoot treatment. His efforts have enabled more than 4,000 children to receive non‑surgical care at HRDC and inspired broader adoption through workshops across five Chinese provinces.
His commitment extends to regions affected by conflict, fragility, and extreme resource limitations. Since 2011, he has made annual trips to Basra, Iraq, treating children with complex deformities and leading educational programs for local surgeons. His service has also reached Pakistan, Somalia, Mongolia, Iran, and beyond. In recognition of his contributions, Spiegel holds honorary professorships at the University of Basrah and the University of Baghdad.
Spiegel has delivered more than 450 invited lectures and published over 110 peer‑reviewed articles, along with influential book chapters and monographs. He co‑edited “Global Orthopaedics: Caring for Musculoskeletal Conditions and Injuries in Austere Settings,” a major resource in global surgery education.
Spiegel’s humanitarian leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including the President’s Call to Service Award, the POSNA Humanitarian Award, the AAOS Humanitarian Award, the Scoliosis Research Society’s Walter P. Blount Humanitarian Award, and honors from Health Volunteers Overseas. He has also served on numerous international advisory boards.
Across his career, Dr. Spiegel has exemplified compassion, global partnership, and a steadfast commitment to ensuring that children everywhere receive the orthopaedic care they deserve.