Dr. Richard A. Berger Honored with Washington Award

The Western Society of Engineers is celebrating Engineers Week by honoring Dr. Richard A. Berger as the 102nd recipient of the Washington Award at a celebratory dinner on Friday, February 28. The prestigious award is conferred upon an engineer whose professional accomplishments have preeminently advanced the welfare of humankind.

"I'm honored by this recognition from the Western Society of Engineers and proud to stand among the ranks of such impressive previous award recipients as Henry Ford, Orville Wright and Neil Armstrong," said Dr. Berger. "As a medical doctor, I'm fortunate to have the engineering background to make some real innovations in the way we look at joint replacement."

With a Mechanical Engineering Degree from Tufts University School of Medicine, a Residency of Pittsburgh, PA and a Fellowship from Rush University Medical Center, Dr. Berger has extensive knowledge of the human body and the mechanics behind it.

Using his background in mechanical engineering, Dr. Berger has pioneered a minimally invasive hip and knee joint replacement that allows him to perform the surgery without cutting any muscle, ligaments or tendons. Dr. Berger's approach is considered truly unique and highly effective with patients reporting a faster recovery and less pain than patients undergoing traditional hip and knee replacements.

Noted as the first surgeon to perform more than 11,000 outpatient joint replacements, Dr. Berger is advancing the field of orthopedic care, allowing many of his patients to walk independently and leave the hospital the same day of surgery.

"Innovations like those made by Dr. Berger have not only made a tremendous impact on the fields of engineering and medicine, but on the lives of thousands of his patients, so we are proud to grant him the 2020 Washington Award,” said Christopher B. Burke, PhD, PE, D.WRE, Dist.M.ASCE and CEO of Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. Dr. Burke has served as chairman of the Chicagoland Engineers Week Steering Committee for the last 14 years. "Engineers Week is as much about looking at where we've been as it is about anticipating where we're going and encouraging the next generation of engineers who will pioneer future innovations.”

In addition to the presentation of the Washington Award, nearly 50 pre-college students will be recognized for their success in regional STEM competitions. The engineers of metropolitan Chicago make both individual and group efforts to encourage pre-college youth to become engineers.

The Washington Award, named to honor the first president of the United States, was established in 1916 by the Western Society of Engineers. Each year, during Engineers Week, presentation of the award is made at a joint banquet of the members and guests of the Western Society of Engineers; the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers; American Society of Civil Engineers; American Society of Mechanical Engineers; Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers; National Society of Professional Engineers; and the American Nuclear Society.

This year’s awards dinner will be held on February 28 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. A cocktail reception runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. while the dinner and awards ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit www.thewashintonaward.com.