Biography
Dr. Blank specializes in malignant and benign musculoskeletal growths and performing limb-salvage surgery in adults as well as children. He also treats a number of general orthopedic conditions and performs joint replacement surgery.
Dr. Blank is originally from Connecticut and attended the University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate degree, earning a BA in English Literature. While there he was a member of the division 1 men's crew team.
He then attended the Chicago Medical School, serving as class president, and earned both his MD and a Masters in biomedical sciences and research. After medical school Dr. Blank completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency in New York City at the prestigious NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases. He received the Resident Research Award while there for his work on prophylactic surgical treatment for metastatic bone disease.
Dr. Blank then went on to complete a year of training in adult and pediatric musculoskeletal oncology and sarcoma surgery at the renowned Huntsman Cancer Institute and Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Dr. Blank has an interest in treating benign and malignant primary growths of the musculoskeletal system, as well as metastatic bone disease. He has published many peer reviewed scientific articles in the field of orthopedic oncology, co-authored a number of textbook chapters, and presented at many internationally attended academic conferences. He also treats a comprehensive set of non-tumor related conditions such as joint reconstruction, fractures and other general orthopedics.
He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), the Connective Tissue Oncologic Tumor Society (CTOS) and the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS).
Dr. Blank currently lives in Chicago with his wife, who is a pediatrician in the city, their daughter, two son and two dogs.
Practice Emphasis
Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic Oncology
Special Procedures
- Limb salvage surgery
- Pediatric and adult cancer surgery complex limb and joint reconstruction
- Surgery for metastatic bone disease
- General orthopedics including joint replacement
Research Interests
- Osteosarcoma
- Chondrosarcoma
- Soft tissue sarcoma
- Metastatic bone disease
- Limb salvage surgery
- Patient reported outcomes and cost effectiveness in orthopedic oncology
Education / Certifications
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Medical School
Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, IL
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Residency
New York University, Hospital for Joint Diseases, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency New York City, NY
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Fellowship
Huntsman Cancer Institute at University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Dr. Alan T. Blank, M.D., M.S. joined Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush on August 10th, 2017. Patient satisfaction ratings will be published once there is sufficient data.