John Frauens has dedicated his career to advancing the field of orthopedic surgery, particularly focusing on artificial cartilage research and joint replacement innovations. He served as the director of adult reconstructive surgery at Kaiser Medical Center in Honolulu for 25 years, where he performed over 3,000 joint replacements. He has contributed to orthopedic care through his work in artificial hip and knee replacements and by co-developing the Kaiser Hawaii Osteoporosis Program.
Since retiring from Kaiser in 2010, Dr. Frauens has been involved with SoftJoint, a company developing synthetic cartilage for human implantation. His work includes navigating the patent process and pursuing FDA approval for new implants, with the goal of improving joint replacement outcomes. Additionally, Dr. Frauens volunteers as an orthopedic consultant for the State of Hawaii’s Department of Public Safety, where he assists incarcerated individuals with orthopedic issues.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Frauens enjoys activities such as golf, skiing, and scuba diving. He has a particular interest in classic cars, and owns a 1967 Pontiac GTO convertible. He is also a fan of jazz music, with Keiko Matsui being one of his favorite artists. His other hobbies include cooking (especially Italian cuisine) and exploring fine dining and wines.