The Equine Research Hall of Fame — C. Wayne McIlwraith

Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith is internationally renowned as a pioneer in equine arthroscopy, who has dedicated much of his scientific career to the study of the pathogenesis of joint disease and the development of improved methods of treatment.

Inducted October 2005.

Born in Oamaru, New Zealand in 1947, Dr. McIlwraith received his B. V. Sc. with Distinction from Massey University in New Zealand, and diploma in Surgery from the University of Guelph, Canada.  He earned a Master’s degree and Ph.D. from Purdue University.  He has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Vienna, Massey University, Purdue University, and the University of Turin.  Commencing his professional career at Malvern Veterinary Club in New Zealand, Dr. McIlwraith then joined a veterinary practice in London, UK.  After an internship in large animal surgery at  the University of Guelph, he became a resident at Purdue University, serving as instructor in the Department of Large Animal Clinics and Veterinary Anatomy.  He joined the faculty at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where he is currently Professor of Surgery, Director of the Orthopaedic Research Program, and holder of the Barbara Cox Anthony Endowed Chair.

Dr. McIlwraith’s research has been devoted to equine joint disease.  He is a pioneer in the use of arthroscopy in the investigation of equine joint injuries and has investigated the use of medications and biological therapies in treating bone disease in healing, the use of biomarkers to diagnose cartilage and bone damage, as well as developing the use of gene therapy and novel methods of articular cartilage repair.  Dr. McIlwraith is internationally renowned for the significance of his contributions to the field of equine orthopedics.

Included among the many awards he has received are the Tierklinik Hochmoor Prize, the Winners Circle Award for Outstanding Achievements in American Quarter Horse Racing, and the John Hickman Award for Equine Orthopaedics.  A diplomate in the American and European colleges of Veterinary Surgeons, Dr. McIlwraith is a member of the International Society of Arthroscopy and Knee Surgery, Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society, and Veterinary Orthopedic Society.  He has authored or co-authored 10 textbooks  and numerous scientific publications.  He is on the editorial review boards of the Journal of Veterinary Surgery and the Equine Veterinary Journal.