Dr. Brian J. Cole has been appointed to the Dr. Ralph and Marian C. Falk Professorship of Biochemistry at Rush University, recognized for his continued excellence over more than 25 years at Rush University.

Dr. Cole is an orthopedic surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, a Professor in the Department of Orthopedics with a conjoint appointment in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Rush University Medical Center, the head team physician for the Chicago Bulls, co-team physician for the Chicago White Sox and co-team physician at DePaul University in Chicago. Dr. Cole attended Medical School at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, served a Residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery – Cornell Medical Center and has since been frequently chosen as one of the “Best Doctors in America” and as a “Top Doctor” in the Chicago metro area.

The Dr. Ralph and Marian C. Falk Professorship of Biochemistry at Rush University was established in 1992 by the philanthropy of the Dr. Ralph and Marian C. Falk Medical Research Trust. This professorship furthers the study of osteoarthritis and cartilage physiology within the Rush Arthritis and Orthopedics Institute. The professorship pays tribute to the late Dr. and Mrs. Falk as recipients are chosen for their matching commitment to the advancement of patient care through scientific investigation and the exploration of medical science.

This appointment as an endowed professor at Rush University serves to recognize Dr. Cole for his dedication to the exploration of medical science both in and out of the classroom. Dr. Cole is the Section Head of the Cartilage Research and Restoration Center at Rush, specializing in the treatment of arthritis in young active patients with a focus on regenerative medicine and biologic alternatives to surgery. His research and development of several innovative techniques for Cartilage Transplantation, Arthroscopy and the treatment of shoulder, elbow and knee conditions has been essential in minimizing recovery time and pain for patients.

“I am extremely grateful for the funding I received and the opportunity to further Dr. Ralph and Marian C. Falk’s legacy of orthopedic advancement,” said Dr. Cole. “This funding will allow our team to continue to research and develop treatments for prevention of and recovery from otherwise disabling injuries and degenerative conditions.”

The funding endowed to Dr. Cole on receipt of this appointment is paramount to his continued research on improved methods of Cartilage Transplantation, Arthroscopy and treatments for shoulder, elbow and knee conditions. Through his work with the Rush Cartilage Restoration Center and Section of Sports Medicine, Dr. Cole has already developed more than 20 new surgical procedures and medical devices currently used to treat and improve outcomes for patients who present with cartilage and soft tissue injury.