The faculty at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Vanderbilt is a dedicated group of clinician scientist educators, covering all nine surgical disciplines of orthopaedic surgery.
We stand out by providing true sub-specialization and expert patient care. The Vanderbilt University Medical Center provides all subspecialty divisions — and we internally refer patients, so they receive care from experts of their condition.
Our faculty is diverse in age and talents with concentrations including, clinical outcomes medicine, translational applications of laboratory bench research, teaching and expertise in public health or administration. We share a commitment to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s tradition of inquiry. Every member works to learn more, help as many people as possible and educate the future leaders of medicine.
Department Leadership
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Vanderbilt is led by:
Rick W. Wright, MD
Dan Spengler, MD Professor and Chair
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Chief Medical Officer
Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Division of Sports Medicine
Gregory G. Polkowski, MD, MSc
Associate Professor
Division Chief, Adult Reconstruction
Fellowship Director, Adult Reconstruction
Executive Medical Director, Orthopaedic Patient Care Center
Byron F. Stephens, MD
Associate Professor
Division Chief, Orthopaedic Spine
Director, Orthopaedic Residency Program
Co-Director, Orthopaedic Spine Surgery Fellowship
Kristin Archer, PhD, DPT
Professor and Vice Chair of Research,
Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation,
Director, Center for Musculoskeletal Research,
Research Director, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
Mary Duvanich, MMHC, MSN, RN
Chief Business Officer
Associate Operating Officer
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Vanderbilt Orthopaedics
We are Leaders
Our faculty play active roles in the continuing medical education of their peers in the United States and abroad. They’re leaders, serving as presidents of these groups:
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
- American Orthopaedic Association
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Society
- Orthopaedic Trauma Association
- Pediatric Orthopaedic Society