Letter from Our Interim Chair

It is an honor to serve as Interim Chair of the UAMS Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. I am privileged to lead an exceptional team of faculty and staff, alongside our outstanding residents, fellows, and researchers. Together, we are committed to advancing patient care, education, and discovery while building on the strong foundation of excellence that defines our department. As Arkansas’s only academic medical center, UAMS has a unique responsibility to improve the health of our state and region. Our department fulfills that mission by training the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons and rehabilitation specialists, conducting innovative research that advances musculoskeletal care, and delivering compassionate, evidence-based treatment using the latest surgical and non-surgical techniques. Through collaboration across specialties, we provide comprehensive care that helps patients regain mobility, restore function, and return to the activities that matter most.

Our faculty are nationally recognized leaders who are dedicated to excellence in clinical care, education, and research. Whether caring for patients with routine orthopaedic conditions or the most complex musculoskeletal disorders, we strive to provide exceptional outcomes while continually advancing the field through innovation and discovery.

I am confident that the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation will continue to build upon its longstanding tradition of excellence. By working together and remaining steadfast in our commitment to our mission, we will continue to improve the lives of our patients, educate future leaders, and shape the future of musculoskeletal health in Arkansas and beyond.

R. Dale Blasier, MD
Professor and Interim Chair
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences