Robert L. Barrack, M.D., has been named the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery.
He will also serve as chief of staff for orthopaedic surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and chief of the Adult Reconstructive Surgery Service for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Robert Barrack
Barrack recently served as residency program director, chief of the Adult Reconstructive Surgery Service, clinical professor of orthopaedic surgery and adjunct professor of biomedical engineering at Tulane University’s School of Medicine.
The Knight distinguished professorship was previously held by William Joseph F. Maloney III, M.D., who left for Stanford University.
Barrack’s appointment was announced by Larry J. Shapiro, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and executive vice chancellor for medical affairs. Barrack assumed his duties Sept. 1.
“We are very excited to welcome Dr. Barrack as the Knight distinguished professor,” Shapiro said. “The School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital owe a great debt to Chuck and Joanne Knight, and this distinguished professorship is emblematic of their commitment to our institution.”
Richard H. Gelberman, M.D., the Fred C. Reynolds Professor and head of orthopaedic surgery, said Barrack’s appointment is another step in building the department’s reputation as one of the finest orthopaedic surgery departments in the United States.
“We are very fortunate a physician and surgeon of Dr. Barrack’s caliber has agreed to join us,” Gelberman said. “Surgeons from all over the world who are interested in the latest innovations in minimal-incision surgery and image-guided surgery have been regular visitors to Dr. Barrack to learn those techniques. Now, he will bring his experience to the University.”
Barrack has practiced exclusively in the field of joint replacement for more than 15 years and has performed more than 3,000 joint replacements. He is an author of more than 200 scientific manuscripts and textbook chapters on joint replacement.
“The combination of clinical expertise at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and academic and research excellence at Washington University certainly places them among the elite medical centers in the world,” Barrack said. “I am honored to be selected by Dr. Gelberman to lead the orthopaedic service at Barnes-Jewish as well as direct adult reconstructive surgery in one of the premier orthopaedic surgery departments in the country.”
Barrack earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with highest honors at the University of Tennessee and earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine.
He has received numerous national and international awards, including the Russell Hibbs Award from the Scoliosis Research Society, the Award for Excellence in Sports Medicine Research from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the James Rand Award from the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.
Charles F. and Joanne Knight, who endowed the Knight distinguished professorship in 1999, have been involved in the St. Louis region and the University community for more than 30 years.
Mrs. Knight is a community leader who has been involved with many charitable causes. She has served on the board of directors at Central Institute for the Deaf and the St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and she was the Variety Club Woman of the Year in 1997.
Knight, chairman of Emerson, is a trustee of the Missouri Botanical Garden and a member of the executive board of the St. Louis Area Council/Boy Scouts of America and the Business Council. In 1996, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in recognition of his service to the University and the St. Louis community.
His work on behalf of the University includes serving as a trustee from 1977-1990.
In the 1980s, Knight helped spearhead Alliance for Washington University, a capital campaign that raised more than $630 million for the University over five years.
He also was co-chair of the corporate committee for the recently concluded Campaign for Washington University, which raised more than $1.5 billion.