Rick W. Wright, MD

Rick W. Wright, MD, Dr. Asa C. and Mrs. Dorothy W. Jones Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, is being recognized for his outstanding accomplishments in orthopaedic surgery residency training.

Although Wright is nationally recognized as a leader in orthopaedic surgery clinical care and research, colleagues and trainees say residency training is his passion. Wright has directed the orthopaedic surgery residency program since 2006 and is credited with bringing it to national prominence. While setting high standards, colleagues and residents report, Wright has created a collegial and supportive atmosphere highly conducive to learning. In the operating room, he excels at providing detailed instruction while allowing residents adequate autonomy, an approach that fosters quick professional development.

To further enrich learning, Wright helped the department establish an alumni society to promote fellowship and knowledge exchange among faculty and current and former residents and fellows. He also created an international surgical elective that allows chief residents to acquire training or to volunteer abroad. Wright has been honored for teaching many times by the department and its residents.

Wright is the author of more than 100 scientific publications on causes of ruptured knee ligaments and improving surgical methods for ligament and tendon repair. In addition to research and teaching duties, he is co-chief of sports medicine for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and a team physician for both the St. Louis Blues and the St. Louis Rams. Wright has received national honors from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, among others.

Wright earned his bachelor’s and medical degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1984 and 1986, respectively. He completed residency training at Vanderbilt University and a sports medicine fellowship at the Minneapolis Sports Medicine Center. Wright joined the Washington University faculty in 1994.