Mark Shima

The Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Micro Surgery

The Christine M. Kleinert Institute is a nonprofit education and research organization funded by the Kleinert-Kutz Endowment for Education and Research in Hand and Micro Surgery. We welcome any and all donations to the Endowment. Harold E. Kleinert, M.D., started a hand surgery clinic in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1953. Joined by Joseph E. Kutz, M.D., in 1964, they formed the organization now known as Kleinert Kutz. The physicians of the Hand Care Center are teaching the next generation of hand surgeons through the fellowship program of the Christine M. Kleinert Institute. Named in honor of Dr. Kleinert's mother, the Institute has grown out of the collaboration among the physicians of Kleinert Kutz. It is known worldwide for its research and education in upper extremity care and microsurgery. The accredited fellowship program is a cooperative effort of the Institute and the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Fellows are fully trained plastic, orthopedic or general surgeons who come to Louisville from all over the world for additional training in hand and microsurgery. To date, more than 1,200 physicians from 58 countries have served as Fellows. The Institute also offers the Hand Therapy Center and Orthotic Care Center to aid patient rehabilitation after surgery or to help patients recover without surgery.