Dr. Steven Rothenberg honored with the prestigious 2025 William E. Ladd medal
Denver, Colo. — HCA HealthONE is honored to announce that Dr. Steven Rothenberg, Chief of Pediatric Surgery at HCA HealthONE Rocky Mountain Children's, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 William E. Ladd Medal by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This is the highest honor in pediatric surgery, recognizing a lifetime of outstanding contributions to advancing surgical care for infants and children.
Established in 1954, the William E. Ladd Medal honors the legacy of Dr. William E. Ladd, widely regarded as the father of pediatric surgery in the United States. Over the past 70 years, only 32 surgeons have been bestowed this rare and distinguished award, underscoring the extraordinary impact of each recipient on the field.
Dr. Rothenberg’s career exemplifies the pioneering spirit celebrated by the Ladd Medal. He is renowned worldwide for his groundbreaking advances in minimally invasive pediatric surgery. Notably, he performed the world’s first thoracoscopic repair of tracheo-esophageal atresia in a neonate, a procedure that dramatically reduces trauma and recovery time for fragile newborns. His innovative techniques have saved the lives of some of the tiniest and sickest infants, including a baby born prematurely at just 23 weeks.
“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Steve Rothenberg for receiving the William E. Ladd Medal — one of the highest honors in pediatric surgery,” said David Donaldson, CEO of HCA HealthONE Rocky Mountain Children’s and HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke’s. “Dr. Rothenberg’s dedication to innovation, compassionate care, and surgical excellence has made a lasting impact not only on our hospital but on the entire field of pediatric surgery. This recognition is a testament to his decades of leadership and his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children.”
Beyond his surgical achievements, Dr. Rothenberg has been a global leader in advancing pediatric surgical care. He is a founding member and past president of the International Pediatric Endosurgical Group and served as the first chair of the Pediatric Committee of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. His leadership has helped to expand minimally invasive surgery techniques worldwide, improving outcomes for children everywhere.
At HCA HealthONE Rocky Mountain Children's, Dr. Rothenberg leads a dedicated, world-class pediatric surgical team committed to delivering innovative and life-saving care to children and families across the Rocky Mountain region. This honor reflects both his exceptional expertise and the hospital’s ongoing commitment to excellence in pediatric healthcare.