Peter A. Cole, MD

Peter A. Cole, MD • Division Head, Orthopaedics, Regions Hospital
• Professor, University of Minnesota
• Leader in Ortho Trauma, Scapula Injury, & Chest Wall Injury

I am Chair of the Orthopaedic Surgery Department at Regions Hospital, Division Medical Director for HealthPartners Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Director of The NorthStar Trauma Network, and Director of the Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship at the University of Minnesota—Regions NorthStar Level I Trauma Center. Though my medical and surgical practice is based at Regions Level I Trauma Center, I am a full-time University of Minnesota Professor. I have developed a worldwide reputation as an educator and researcher on advanced trauma topics including complex joint injuries, bone malunions and the broken pelvis. I have been recognized as a leading expert in minimally invasive fracture surgery, Rib Fractures and Chest Wall fixation, and have the largest experience on record for the treatment of Scapula fractures. Underlying these clinical, administrative and investigative accomplishments is a passion for innovative problem solving, whether for patient conditions, surgical instruments, or challenges in healthcare delivery. Lastly, I am a proud husband, father of three children, and my wife Nancy and I founded a mission in the Amazon Jungle of Peru for musculoskeletal needs in surgery and rehabilitation (www.scalpelatthecross.org).

I am extremely excited with the announcement of this expansion of our Regions Hospital NorthStar Team in the coming mont...
03/31/2026

I am extremely excited with the announcement of this expansion of our Regions Hospital NorthStar Team in the coming months. Regions Hospital Orthopedic Trauma has continued to raise the bar for over two decades with the advancement of clinical care in the context of its research and educational programs. Humza Shaikh from Ohio State is a rising star in the area of Complex Forequarter Injuries, fractures of the shoulder and chest wall, but he will also buttress our broad fracture coverage and management of the multiply injured patient. Tyler Moon is a Blue Chip draft pick from Texas from arguably the most dominant education fellowship program in the field, and he will be ready to run on September 1!




The decision makers have spoken!Now help us continue building a strong, thoughtful brand for the Scapula Institute by ca...
03/30/2026

The decision makers have spoken!

Now help us continue building a strong, thoughtful brand for the Scapula Institute by casting your vote on the Route 1–5 color schemes ⬇

Vote in the comments: 1️⃣, 2️⃣, 3️⃣, or 4️⃣ 👇As The Scapula Institute prepares for a new look, we invite you to be part ...
03/19/2026

Vote in the comments: 1️⃣, 2️⃣, 3️⃣, or 4️⃣ 👇

As The Scapula Institute prepares for a new look, we invite you to be part of the process by voting on their next logo.

The Scapula Institute is a dedicated team advancing research and education in shoulder and chest wall injury, while delivering the highest level of care to patients facing these complex conditions.

et al. is proud to partner in building a platform that reflects this mission, positioning The Scapula Institute as a global network supporting the scapula, its patients, and the clinicians who care for them.

Together, we are elevating a digital ecosystem designed to advance research, education, and patient care across the entire shoulder girdle. This is more than a rebrand. It’s a step forward in setting the global standard for scapula care.

Nice work putting this together Alicia and Allison!Awesome partnership and venue. Lift Up!!
03/17/2026

Nice work putting this together Alicia and Allison!
Awesome partnership and venue. Lift Up!!

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in The Crescent CityNew Orleans has always been my favorite site for the annual...
03/17/2026

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in The Crescent City

New Orleans has always been my favorite site for the annual gathering of Orthopaedic Surgeons from throughout the world, and this year was no different. It’s the Southern Creole-vibe, saloon jazz-heads, julips & hurricanes, muffalettas and shrimpy grits.......but even more the professional network connections around past legacies and future stakes which highlight brightest for me. Opportunities to assess new technology, teach and learn, help define the future, abound.

Closing the GapThe mission is to solve the pestilent complication of Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty, the acromion f...
02/24/2026

Closing the Gap

The mission is to solve the pestilent complication of Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty, the acromion fracture-nonunion, which dogs patients with pain for months....years. We have the solution.

It was a fun exchange with an awesome Austin 8-pack of shoulder surgeons!

Thanks to the Advita Ortho education team for closing the gap at Scrub Sink Bio Skills Center!

AO Master Class: Expert Strategies - PART 4This is truly one of my favorite forums where I had a solid 90 minutes to wor...
02/20/2026

AO Master Class: Expert Strategies - PART 4

This is truly one of my favorite forums where I had a solid 90 minutes to work over 30 visiting surgeon-scholars from around the world (7 North American Trauma Fellows) on the topic of Scapula. I backed my class into the subject of scapula fractures by having them make observations of a dozen malunited scapulas. Eventually what happens is that they teach themselves how to fulfill the principles of fracture surgery to fix a bone which is unfamiliar to them.

02/18/2026

For decades, Peter A. Cole, MD and his team have been recognized worldwide as pioneers in orthopaedic trauma — advancing scapula and chest wall surgery, shaping academic thought, and championing service oriented initiatives. Now, his digital presence is being built to reflect the full scope of his legacy, involvements, and mission — bringing light to the patients, organizations, and initiatives that matter most.

et al. has built a digital ecosystem that reflects Dr. Cole’s real-world impact. What you see here is just the beginning of a grander platform designed not for mere promotion, but to serve as a channel for transforming patient lives and advancing education with greater reach and effectiveness.

Right Surgeon ⇄ Right Patient

The AO SHARD (Part 3 of 4)It is novel to stand up a portable operating room in front of a crowd at a convention. It’s li...
02/16/2026

The AO SHARD (Part 3 of 4)

It is novel to stand up a portable operating room in front of a crowd at a convention. It’s like operating in a fishbowl, mic’d up and live, and in this case actually fixing a scapula fracture. Friend and colleague Dr. Diane Nam from Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital was a 1st class co-surgeon and we had a blast. Stand-up Surgery!

The AO Fireside Sessions - Part 2 of 4The informal nighttime fireside atmosphere over hors d’oeuvres and libations creat...
02/11/2026

The AO Fireside Sessions - Part 2 of 4

The informal nighttime fireside atmosphere over hors d’oeuvres and libations creates a spirited evening for debate and crossfire over how to treat certain challenging conditions. With colleagues Martin Jaeger (Germany) & Simon Lambert (UK) to stir the pot, I brought a Scapula Malunion which required 5 osteotomies for correction and a takedown-reconstruction of a combined scapula malunion and scapulothoracic fusion. I brought videos for proof!

1000 & 80Over one thousand orthopaedic trauma surgeons from over 80 countries converged for the first 2 weeks of Decembe...
02/09/2026

1000 & 80

Over one thousand orthopaedic trauma surgeons from over 80 countries converged for the first 2 weeks of December in Davos, Switzerland. It was all about Broken Bones—a 2 week educational extravaganza—a dizzying pace of teaching and learning which whelms the intellect and soul.

It felt like hitting for the cycle this year having served up a Davos Quad.

PART 1 OF 4:
AO Trauma Masters: Current Upper Extremity Concepts

This forum ran in half days throughout the week and included human-specimen dissections and case discussions, sprinkled with didactic lectures from a 7-country faculty. The format allows the participants to get to know the faculty and build trust to become vulnerable learners who soak up tricks and nuances from passionate teachers. The spectacular setting is great for coffee breaks!

Address

640 Jackson Street
Saint Paul, MN
55101

Telephone

+16512548300

Website

https://linktr.ee/dr.peter.a.cole

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