Lenke: Professor of orthopaedic surgery
By Anne Enright Shepherd
August 24, 2001
Lenke: Professor of orthopaedic surgery |
Spinal surgeon Lawrence G. Lenke, M.D., has been named the first Jerome J. Gilden M.D. Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the School of Medicine. The professorship is supported by a donation from the late Mildred B. Simon, who named the position in honor of Gilden, her longtime physician.
Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton made the announcement along with William A. Peck, M.D., executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.
"This generous gift to Washington University leaves quite a legacy," Wrighton said. "Through this and her other kind support, Mrs. Mildred Simon is ensuring the university's ability to undertake groundbreaking research, offer exceptional medical education and provide top-notch patient care."
"Jerry Gilden is an outstanding physician and scientist who has made significant contributions to the School of Medicine," Peck said. "This professorship is fitting testament to his decades of dedication to orthopaedic surgery. Larry Lenke is an excellent choice as the first holder of this position, and I am confident that he will live up to the standard Jerry has set."
Simon, who died in 1998 at the age of 105, was a longtime St. Louis resident. She was very active throughout her life in Temple Israel and was a patient of Gilden's for nearly 40 years.
In his research, Lenke studies innovative techniques of spinal surgery, pediatric and adult scoliosis and low-back pain. As part of a major, multicenter study of three common problems of the lower spine, Lenke compares surgical and non-surgical treatments to learn which of the therapies more effectively reduces pain. He is co-principal investigator at the Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital site of this five-year national effort known as the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial, or SPORT.
Lenke graduated from Northwestern University Medical School in 1986 after earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame. He then completed his medical training at Washington University School of Medicine where he did an internship and residency followed by a fellowship in pediatric and adult spinal surgery. He has been on the university's faculty since 1991 when he joined as an instructor of orthopaedic surgery. He is an orthopaedic surgeon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital and chief of spinal surgery at the St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children. Lenke directs the orthopaedic surgery residency program at the medical school.
Richard H. Gelberman, M.D., the Fred C. Reynolds Professor and chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, said, "Larry Lenke is a nationally and internationally recognized contributor in the field of spinal surgery and an outstanding choice for this honored position. Mrs. Mildred Simon's legacy strengthens our excellence in musculoskeletal care, physician education and scientific advances in the Midwest and beyond. We could not be more grateful for her support."
The professorship honors Gilden, assistant professor emeritus of orthopaedic surgery at the medical school. He headed the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at the former Jewish Hospital from 1988-96. An avid hockey fan, Gilden was team physician to the St. Louis Blues for 27 years, serving as chief of the team's panel of doctors for more than two decades and attending every home game. In addition to his academic, administrative and hockey-related responsibilities, Gilden saw patients in his private practice for more than 40 years before retiring in 1999.
Gilden earned an undergraduate degree from the University in 1948 and a medical degree in 1952 from the university's School of Medicine. Gilden was the first orthopaedic surgeon in the St. Louis metropolitan area and the Midwest to perform knee replacements and was among the region's leaders in doing total hip replacements. His later work focused on knee and hip reconstructions and replacements, fracture trauma and medical back care.
| Email Us! |
Washington People |
Sports | Calendar | More Campus News |
Campus Watch |
| Medical News |
Notables | Record Staff |
Front Page | WU Home Page |