Abstract: Pioneers of Hand SurgeryHand surgery comprises a body of knowledge that is relatively new.It was developed and has been disseminated through the work and contributions of many great individuals who stem from a variety of disciplines.Recognizing the contributions of these people appropriately is difficult.We have listed the names of those Pioneers who appear in our literature; the purpose of these presentations is to recognize while they are alive the people who have spent their lives to further our specialty.The Federation considers it entirely appropriate that official praise and commendation be extended to our Pioneers in grateful recognition of their truly exemplary record of contributions to the field of hand surgery and to people everywhere.This occasion provides us an opportunity to recognize these gentlemen who by their wealth of discoveries have advanced Hand Surgery and vastly improved the lives of thousands of people the world over.The Council of the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand has reviewed and discussed a list of these important people, and takes great pleasure in presenting them to you.To recognize a Pioneer for his great contributions enriches all of us.