Biography

Dr. Terry L. Thompson is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC.  He served as Chief of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery from 2001 to 2006 and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation from 2006 to 2023.  Dr. Thompson served as Program Director for the orthopaedic surgery residency program at Howard University Hospital from 2001 to 2014.  He has been a member of the full-time faculty since 1989. 

Dr. Thompson is a native of South Carolina.  He graduated with honors from South Carolina State University in 1979.  He received the Doctor of Medicine degree from Howard University in 1983.  Dr. Thompson took an internship in surgery and residency in orthopaedic surgery at Howard University Hospital from 1983 to 1988.  He received fellowship training in sports medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City from 1988 to 1989.

Dr. Thompson has held leadership positions in professional organizations.  He is past Vice President of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.  He has served on the Board of Directors of the J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society.  Dr. Thompson has served as Vice Chair of the Residency Review Committee for Orthopaedic Surgery of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.  He has served as Orthopaedic Section Chair of the National Medical Association and the Medical Society of the District of Columbia.

Dr. Thompson has written and lectured in the areas of sports medicine and the management of knee and shoulder injuries.  He is Editor of the book, Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery:  Complications and Management, published in 2022.  Dr. Thompson is a reviewer for Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research and Sports Health.  He is Associate Editor for Orthopedics, the blue journal.  

Dr. Thompson has received several honors.  He held the Charles H. Epps, Jr. Endowed Professorship at Howard University College of Medicine from 2004 to 2023.  Dr. Thompson is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.  He was selected to the inaugural class of Leadership Fellows of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in 2001.  Dr. Thompson was the 2003 recipient of the Medical Staff Leadership Award for Howard University Hospital.  He received the Special Recognition Award from the District of Columbia Public Schools in 2005 for service to interscholastic sports.  He was awarded Honorary Membership in the National Athletic Trainers Association in 2016 for his strong devotion to sports medicine and the athletic training profession.  Dr. Thompson has received citations for excellence in teaching.

Among his many professional activities, Dr. Thompson serves as Head Team Physician for Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.  He is Team Physician for the District of Columbia Public Schools.  He is a Neutral Orthopaedist for the National Football League Player Benefits Plan.