Richard D. Brasington Jr., MD

Richard D. Brasington Jr., MD, professor of medicine, is recognized for his exceptional contributions to medical education.

Since joining the Washington University faculty in 1996 as director of the rheumatology fellowship program, a post he still holds, Brasington’s contributions as a clinician and educator have been integral to the Division of Rheumatology’s success. An outstanding physician, he directed the Rheumatology Clinic for 16 years and has been honored as one of America’s Best Doctors since 2003. As an educator, he holds major responsibilities for training medical residents and fellows, is course master for the second-year rheumatology course, and hosts a third-year medical student in his clinic. One such student is now a rheumatology fellow.

Medical students say that Brasington’s passion for teaching and talent for giving pivotal career advice make him a stand-out. Students have honored him with two Clinical Teacher of the Year awards and two Distinguished Service Teaching Awards. He also is a 10-time recipient of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Rheumatology Fellowship Training Award.

Nationally, Brasington pioneered a trainee evaluation tool now used at many other rheumatology centers. He also was instrumental in developing the ACR Competency-Based Curriculum Guide for Fellowships.

Although his primary roles focus on education and patient care, Brasington also supports the research mission by helping to protect faculty research time and enrolling patients in clinical studies. He established a clinical trials unit in the division, and his involvement in many of its studies has earned him national recognition.

Brasington received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1974 and his medical degree from Duke University in 1980, and then completed his training with an internal medicine residency and rheumatology fellowship at the University of Iowa.