The University of Missouri School of Medicine and University Hospital opened in 1955. Dr. William Stewart was the first orthopaedic surgeon in Columbia, and he established teaching programs for students and residents in his busy crippled children`s clinics.
In 1958, the MU orthopaedic residency program was approved by the Council on Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association. Dr. John L. Holmes was the initial Chief of the Section of Orthopaedics from 1957 to 1961, which was then a division of the Department of Surgery. Dr. James Gwaltney followed as head of the program during 1961-62, and Dr. George Austin was the Section Chief from 1963 to 1964. Dr. Garth Russell (far right in photo) began his residency training in 1962, and he was the first resident to complete his orthopaedic training at MU in 1966.
In 1965, Dr. Lynn Litton became Chief of Orthopaedics, a position he held until 1974 when he departed to enter private practice. Dr. William C. Allen, from the University of Florida, began an 18 year tenure as Chief of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery in 1976. Under his leadership, the residency and faculty expanded and together began a tradition of excellence in research, education, and service.
