UofL School of Medicine named interim chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery

The University of Louisville School of Medicine has appointed Chad Mathis as interim chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, effective July 1, 2026. 

Mathis is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and accomplished physician executive, bringing decades of experience spanning academic medicine, clinical practice, health system leadership, healthcare technology and federal health policy. Since joining UofL in 2022, he has served as chief medical officer for UofL Health, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery as well as program director of the orthopedic surgery residency. 

“Dr. Mathis is an experienced clinician and thoughtful leader whose breadth of expertise will serve the department exceptionally well during this transition,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, dean of the School of Medicine. “His commitment to excellence in patient care, education and collaboration, combined with his ability to build strong teams and navigate complex healthcare environments, positions him to lead the department into its next chapter. I am grateful for his willingness to serve in this role.” 

Mathis earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine before completing an orthopedic surgery residency at Indiana University Medical Center. He then completed a fellowship in Shoulder Reconstruction and Sports Medicine at the Lipscomb Clinic in Nashville, Tennessee. He also holds an MBA from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and a Business Analytics Certificate from Harvard University. 

Before joining the University of Louisville, Mathis co-founded and led a successful orthopedic surgery practice in Birmingham, Alabama, while serving in numerous leadership roles across the state, including president-elect of the Alabama Orthopedic Society. He later transitioned to healthcare industry leadership, serving as Global Senior Medical Director for Sports Medicine at Smith & Nephew and Chief Medical Officer at Allscripts, where he helped advance value-based clinical integration and digital health innovation. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mathis served as senior advisor to the deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, focusing on nursing home infection prevention and regulatory reform. 

As the department begins this new chapter, Mathis will lead the department’s educational, clinical and research missions while continuing to strengthen partnerships across the School of Medicine and UofL Health. 

“It is an honor to serve the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in this role,” said Mathis. “This department has built a strong reputation through exceptional patient care, outstanding resident education and meaningful contributions to orthopedic research. I look forward to working alongside our outstanding faculty, staff and learners to build on that momentum, foster innovation and continue advancing our mission of improving the lives of the patients and communities we serve.” 

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mathis enjoys traveling and fly-fishing.