Orthopaedic chair will support world-renowned surgeon

The $2 million donation will support the orthopaedic department’s goals to discover better treatments and train future physicians

November 10th, 2017

COLUMBIA, Mo. – According to national statistics, approximately 5.3 million orthopaedic surgeries were performed in 2010. Those numbers are expected to grow to 6.6 million by 2020. Preparing for this large increase will require steady leadership from innovative surgeons. Today, the University of Missouri announced one researcher and orthopaedist has been given the boost necessary to help meet the future patient need. The Wyss Medical Foundation has pledged $2 million to support James P. Stannard as the Wyss Distinguished Chair in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. The funds will be used to expand Stannard’s work as a global leader in confronting the challenges of musculoskeletal pain and trauma.

“This gift will allow Dr. Stannard to obtain and use the resources he needs to continue his world-class work at the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute,” said Steve Schwartz, board member of the Wyss Medical Foundation. “Hansjörg Wyss, the Chairman of the Wyss Medical Foundation and well-known global philanthropist, is committed to supporting exceptional orthopaedic surgeons, like Dr. Stannard, who advance the field through their teaching and research.”

Stannard, chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the MU School of Medicine and medical director of the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute at MU Health Care, has received numerous awards for his work. His research covers a broad range including severe knee trauma, osteoarthritis, biological joint replacement, bone marrow concentrate, total knee arthroplasty, and total hip arthroplasty.

“The person who holds this new title will provide quality leadership,” said Patrice Delafontaine, the Hugh E. and Sarah D. Stephenson Dean of the MU School of Medicine. “It will be the kind of leadership that teaches others, by example, to do great work.”

The Hansjörg Wyss Chair also allows Stannard to redirect his time toward developing strategic leadership for a growing department to optimize patient care, perform cutting-edge translational research, and mentor residents and fellows.

“I am honored and humbled to hold the Hansjörg Wyss Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery at MU,” Stannard said.  “I am grateful for the opportunity to advance my profession in this way. My hope is that my work can help grow the next generation of physicians and surgeons.”

Stannard has earned an international reputation as an outstanding knee, sports medicine and orthopaedic trauma surgeon. He has published more than 120 peer-reviewed publications and has served on the Orthopaedic Trauma Association Board of Directors since 2005. Stannard completed his AO Trauma fellowship in Chur, Switzerland, with Thomas Ruedi. Stannard received his bachelor’s degree from Brown University and completed his M.D. at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He was appointed as chair of the MU Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in 2009.

MU’s Missouri Orthopaedic Institute is central Missouri’s largest free-standing orthopaedic hospital. Expert orthopaedic surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, chiropractors and other health professionals offer patients the full range of orthopaedic care in a single location. Additionally, faculty physicians conduct medical research that benefits patients in Missouri and around the world. University of Missouri Health Care has been recognized as “high performing” in orthopaedics by U.S. News and World Report.