C. Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, DSc, FRCVS, Dipl. ACVS, an internationally recognized leader in equine orthopedic research and surgery, will present the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture at the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ 51st Annual Convention in Seattle, Wash., on Dec. 5. McIlwraith’s presentation, titled “From Arthroscopy to Gene Therapy–30 Years of Looking in Joints,” will highlight how far equine practitioners have come in their ability to treat traumatic joint disorders and osteoarthritis in the horse.

Arthroscopic surgery has allowed practitioners to treat many conditions more effectively, but secondary osteoarthritis is still a challenge. Progress in diagnosis, conventional and new biological therapies, and attempts at prevention will be reviewed.

McIlwraith received his BVSc (with distinction) from Massey University, New Zealand, in 1971. After time spent in private practice, he did a surgical internship at the University of Guelph in Canada, followed by a surgical residency at Purdue University. He also completed MS and PhD degrees in the area of joint disease (arthritis) research while at Purdue. McIlwraith became board-certified as a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) in 1979 and joined the faculty at Colorado State University (CSU) that same year. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (for meritorious contributions to learning) in 1995. McIlwraith is professor of surgery and director of the Orthopaedic Research Center at CSU. He also holds the Barbara Cox Anthony University Chair in Orthopaedics at CSU.

McIlwraith is the author or co-author of the textbooks: Techniques in Large Animal Surgery, Equine Surgery: Advanced Techniques, Diagnostic and Surgical Arthroscopy in the Horse, and Joint Disease in the Horse. He is a past president of the ACVS and the AAEP. His honors include several faculty awards for teaching excellence as well as international recognition for his contributions to equine orthopedics. McIlwraith will be inducted into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame in October 2005