We are delighted to announce that William C. Eward, MD, DVM, has been appointed Orthopaedic Residency Program Director.
He is the orthopaedic oncology division chief, Frank H. Bassett III, MD associate professor of orthopaedic surgery, associate professor of pathology, and a member of the Duke Cancer Institute. (DCI). He joined our department's oncology division in 2012.
“I am extremely grateful for everything I learned during the Duke Orthopaedic Residency from 2006-2011. It will feel great to give something back through this position," shared Dr. Eward.
As an expert in treating pediatric, adult, canine, and other mammalian tumors, Dr. Eward specializes in preserving and reconstructing limbs that have been jeopardized by a type of cancer called Sarcoma.
His research and laboratory focus on comparative oncology -- the study of cancers from one species to another. Because sarcomas are rare in people but common in dogs, his team attempts to learn as much as possible from every patient with sarcoma, regardless of whether that patient walks on two legs or four.
Through his work with the Duke Sarcoma Center, he also actively leads and participates in the DCI Comparative Oncology program, which leverages research and resources across species to ensure the development of new diagnostics and therapies for naturally occurring cancers, including bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. Comparative Oncology brings together researchers, medical doctors, and veterinarians at Duke, NC State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital to defeat the common enemy of cancer.
Originally from Florida, Dr. Eward attended Duke University for undergraduate studies and later returned for his residency with Duke Orthopaedics. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University and his medical degree at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He is married to Cindy, a veterinarian, and they have three children: Aly, Luke, and Ellery.
His son, Luke, recently won the bronze medal at the Copa America in Lima, Peru, in the "C1X" (coastal, single boat). Copa America is the competition between North, Central, and South American countries. America took the gold and the bronze in this event. Luke made the U.S. Rowing U19 National Team in 2023. Dr. Eward shared Luke’s orthopaedic journey to highlight the outstanding medical team at Duke. Chad Mather, MD, performed surgery on Luke’s hips in 2022. Later, he engaged in deep physical therapy work with Chris Antonelli, DPT, ATC, LAT, PT. Dr. Eward said, “I am 100% certain that he could not have made the national team without the outstanding work of our Duke Orthopaedics colleagues.”
We thank those who participated in this position's application and selection process. The insights provided by the faculty members who considered this role significantly strengthened our department. Thanks also to others who put their applications forward for the position, for their hard work, thoughtfulness, dedication to our residency program and residents, and great ideas to strengthen our program and department. Thanks to Warren Hammert, MD, Ned Amendola, MD, Brian Brigman, MD, Bruce Browner, MD, Malcolm DeBaun, MD, Erica Taylor, MD, Alison P. Toth, MD, Julia Visgauss, MD, Lucy Meyer, MD, Mack Hardaker, MD, Eoghan Hurley, MD, Betty Staples, MD, and Dara Purvis for serving on the selection committee.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Eward on his new role. We are excited about the contributions he will make.