David G Murray

Dr. Murray brought distinction to SUNY Upstate by building one of the premiere orthopedic surgery departments in the world and by his international recognition as a gifted surgeon, physician-scientist and service to his profession. While at SUNY Upstate, Dr. Murray graduated more than 120 orthopedic surgeons from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery’s residency program. As a physician-scientist, Dr. Murray designed, developed and patented the variable-axis knee prosthesis, which for many years was referred to as the “Syracuse knee.” Dr. Murray was elected the 50th president of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in 1982, and the 77th president of the American College of Surgeons in 1998. In between, he served as President of the Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation, the Knee Society, the Onondaga County Medical Society, Patients Choice, Inc., and the Martin Memorial Foundation. Dr. Murray attended Cornell University and received a medical degree from the School of Medicine of Washington University in St. Louis in 1955. He completed a surgical internship at Vancouver General Hospital in 1956. After service in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant, Dr. Murray resumed general surgery training at SUNY Upstate from 1958 to 1959. He then completed residency training in orthopedic surgery at the State University of Iowa at Iowa City in 1962. Dr. Murray joined the SUNY Upstate faculty in 1962 and was promoted to professor in 1969. He was named chair of the Department in 1966, a position he held for 30 years. Dr. Murray has three sons and six grandchildren. He resides in Syracuse with his wife Judith Sayles, who is a practicing attorney.