C. Lowry Barnes, M.D. New Chair at UAMS

C. Lowry Barnes, M.D. is being hailed as the new chief—chair—of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Dr. Barnes, who will occupy this position as of August 1, 2014, will hold the Carl L. Nelson, M.D., Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery.

According to the news release, Dr. Barnes has been a UAMS professor of orthopedics for the past three years while he continued his private practice. He will see patients at UAMS and continue seeing patients in his practice at Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics and St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center.

G. Richard Smith, dean of the UAMS College of Medicine, said in the news release. “Our patients, students and trainees, and faculty staff will all benefit greatly from the broad experience, strong leadership and new vision that he brings to this post.”

As noted in the news release, Dr. Barnes graduated with honors from the UAMS College of Medicine in 1986, then remained at UAMS for his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Barnes completed a fellowship in adult reconstructive surgery and arthritis surgery at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. In 1998, Dr. Barnes was founding managing partner of Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics, where he was president for more than a decade. He has long been active at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center, serving on the board of directors from 1997-2010 and as president of the St. Vincent Infirmary Physician Hospital Organization.

Dr. Barnes is a member of the Knee Society, the only Arkansas member since the death of Carl Nelson. He is a past president of numerous organizations, including the Arkansas Orthopaedic Society, the Southern Orthopaedic Association and the Society for Arthritic Joint Surgery. He serves as treasurer for The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and has recently been named the Distinguished Southern Orthopaedist by the Southern Orthopaedic Association. Dr. Barnes has contributed to the Arkansas Arthritis Foundation for years, previously serving on the board of directors and earning the organization’s Person of the Year honor in 2000.

Dr. Barnes told OTW, “Fortunately, our department is blessed with great faculty, staff, and residents. The Chancellor, Dean, and hospital CEO are very supportive of our department and are open to change. I hope to help develop a combined academic and private practice of orthopedics by working with my outstanding partners at Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics and the forward thinking team at CHI St. Vincent, where I have practiced for more than 20 years. This will obviously not be a ‘Barnes Project.’ As another Arkansan said, ‘It will take a village.’”