The Wade O. Brinker Chair in Veterinary Surgery is endowed by gifts from more than 1,200 contributions to commemorate Dr. Wade O. Brinker and perpetuate his example of scholarship in veterinary surgery.

Brinker was one of the most well-known and respected surgeons in the veterinary profession. Thanks largely to his efforts, veterinarians today more effectively treat fractures, deformed limbs, and bone tumors in cats and dogs. Brinker’s work in developing surgical approaches, orthopedic devices, treatment of fractures, and methods for storing and grafting bones was particularly valuable because much of it could be used in the everyday practice of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Loïc Déjardin was appointed as the second Wade O. Brinker Professor of Veterinary Surgery in 2020. Déjardin leads comparative orthopedic research at the College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as the Orthopedic Surgery Service at the MSU Veterinary Medical Center. He had the unique opportunity to work with Brinker personally, and also was a research associate with Dr. Steven Arnoczky, the first Brinker Chair.

Déjardin has a strong research foundation in orthopedic surgery, and describes himself as a surgeon, engineer, scientist, inventor, and mentor. His research focus is on biomechanics, implant and instrument design, total joint replacement (elbow, hip, knee, ankle), and robotics. His research is increasingly well-funded (> $5.5M) and recognized nationally and internationally. Building on his existing funding and his recent award from the AO Innovation Translations Center’s Strategy Fund to develop a robotics integration system for sacroiliac luxation/fracture reduction and fixation provides further recognition of his expertise and ability to continue to elevate veterinary orthopedic surgery at MSU.

Déjardin is an astute orthopedic surgeon and compassionate clinician, highly regarded for the quality of his patient care and client communication, innovation in clinical practice, devotion to mentorship, and highly effective clinical and classroom instruction of professional students. As a former AO trustee he has contributed substantially to the expansion of the College’s footprint as a leader in veterinary orthopedics. He is a dedicated mentor of graduate students in research, and is committed to mentoring junior faculty, postdoctoral trainees, residents, and visiting scholars.

The Wade O. Brinker Chair in Veterinary Surgery is endowed by gifts from more than 1200 contributions to commemorate Dr. Wade O. Brinker and to perpetuate his example of scholarship in veterinary surgery.

Brinker was one of the most well-known and respected surgeons in the veterinary profession. Thanks largely to his efforts, veterinarians today are more effectively treating fractures, deformed limbs, and bone tumors in cats and dogs. Brinker’s work in developing surgical approaches, orthopedic devices, treatment of fractures, and methods for storing and grafting bones was particularly valuable because so much of it could be used in the everyday practice of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Steven Paul Arnoczky was appointed as the first Wade O. Brinker Professor of Veterinary Surgery in 1992. He directs the Laboratory for Comparative Orthopedic Research.

Arnoczky received his DVM degree from The Ohio State University in 1972. He continued his studies as an intern and a surgical resident at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. In 1978 he was certified as a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Before coming to Michigan State University Arnoczky was a professor of Comparative Orthopaedic Surgery at Cornell University Medical College and a senior scientist and director of the Laboratory for Comparative Orthopaedic Research at the renowned Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

Arnoczky’s research in comparative orthopaedics has resulted in numerous awards and honors. He has been recognized for outstanding research by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. In addition, he has been the recipient of the Purina Small Animal Research Award and the SmithKline Beecham Award for Research Excellence. Dr. Arnoczky has also received the outstanding alumnus award from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Animal Medical Center, and the National Gamma Award from the Omega Tau Sigma fraternity for distinguished contributions to the veterinary profession.

Arnoczky has published over 300 scientific papers and has received over 2 million dollars in research support. He directs the Laboratory for Comparative Orthopaedic Research at the College of Veterinary Medicine and holds adjunct appointments in both the College of Human Medicine and the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

"I came to MSU because of the potential that was here in comparative medical research and the chance to work with some of the outstanding leaders in veterinary medicine. The Wade O. Brinker endowment has allowed me to develop an independent program of research and education that continues to reflect the high standards of excellence set by Brinker throughout his career."