About Thomas Vail, MD

Dr. Vail is Professor Emertius in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, for which he served as chair for the past 16 years. A specialist in surgical treatment of conditions of the hip and knee, Dr. Vail continues to perform research in that focus on topics that include performance and outcomes of surgical procedures and devices, delivery of care in adult reconstruction, and cartilage repair strategies.

After graduating from the Duke University School of Engineering cum laude with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, he earned his medical degree at the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University, Chicago. He completed his internship in General and Thoracic Surgery and residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University Medical Center, and then went on to complete a fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Vail was part of the faculty at Duke University Medical Center where he advanced from Assistant Professor to Professor and Director of Adult Reconstructive Surgery. In January of 2007, he was named Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco.

Dr. Vail has published several hundred scientific articles, abstracts, book chapters and educational materials. He is presently in the Presidential line of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, and was recently named to the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. His wife, Lisa, also received her medical degree from Loyola. They have two children, Brennan and Parker.