It is with great sadness that we report the passing of longtime AOFAS member Walter J. Pedowitz, MD, on February 1, 2023, at the age of 78.

After earning his medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in 1971, Dr. Pedowitz completed his surgical residency at Montefiore Hospital in New York and his orthopaedic residency at the New York Orthopaedic Hospital at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. He served in the United States Air Force at the Homestead Air Force Base in Florida from 1976-1978.

In 1978, he became partners with Morton Farber, MD, at an orthopaedic practice in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 1981, Drs. Pedowitz and Farber joined their practice with John Kline, MD, and formed the Union County Orthopaedic Group. Dr. Pedowitz worked for the practice until his retirement.

Dr. Pedowitz was a member of the AOFAS for 40 years and was the Society's "go-to" expert on coding and reimbursement topics. He served as the AOFAS CPT advisor to the American Medical Association for many years, chaired the Coding Committee (now Practice Management Committee), and presented at countless AOFAS meetings and webinars. In addition, he served as a member-at-large on the AOFAS Board of Directors from 1996-98 and as chair of the FAI Managerial Board from 2006-2010.

Dr. Pedowitz is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diane, sons David, Aaron, and Adam, and six grandchildren. Our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends.