Anne Haney Cross, MD

Anne Haney Cross, MD, is the Manny and Rosalyn Rosenthal and Dr. John Trotter MS Center Chair in Neuroimmunology, as well as professor of neurology and section head of neuroimmunology at Washington University School of Medicine. A dedicated physician, Cross is heavily involved in research devoted to improving the understanding and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Following in the footsteps of her mentor, John Trotter (now deceased), Cross has built an incredibly strong clinical and scientific group working on the pathogenesis and treatment of MS and related disorders. A synergistic force at Washington University, her lab has several collaborations, including one with the Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Laboratory. This partnership uses advanced imaging techniques to find better disease markers for MS diagnosis and assess response to therapies. Under her leadership, this collaboration has received several major grants focusing on questions related to the nature of MS and better diagnosing and treating the disease in patients. This work has resulted in numerous publications in prestigious scientific journals and presentations at national and international meetings and conferences.

As a physician, Cross is a kind, passionate and highly respected clinician who often takes on some of the toughest MS patient cases. She has trained and mentored numerous residents and fellows and assisted in the development of junior faculty. Many of her trainees go on to high profile positions in MS and neurological fields. Cross has also contributed in critically important ways to the understanding of MS. She was among the first MS researchers to demonstrate the importance of B lymphocytes in MS pathogenesis. This work has led to new forms of MS treatment.

Cross has volunteered with the National MS Society for more than 20 years and is the current chair of its Research Programs Advisory Committee. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Alabama in 1976 and her medical degree from the University of Alabama in 1980. She went on to complete postdoctoral training at George Washington University, the National Institutes of Health, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In 1991 she joined the Washington University faculty and became director of the MS Clinic at Barnes-Jewish Hospital a year later.

The Washington University Medical Center Alumni Association is pleased to present its Faculty Achievement Award to Dr. Cross.