Marc Addason Asher, M.D.
2007 Distinguished Kansan

Marc Addason Asher, M.D. is currently a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Kansas University Medical Center.

Dr. Asher was born in Stafford County, Kansas, on August 15, 1936, to James Manley Asher and Pratt native Lucile Turner Asher. He grew up on the family farm near St. John and attended its public schools. Following graduation from Kansas State University, he enrolled in the Kansas University School of Medicine (was a preceptor with the late Mac Frederick, MD, Hugoton) and graduated in 1962. Internship at the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, Portland, was followed by two years' service in the U.S. Public Health Service at the Federal Penitentiary at Leavenworth. After a year of general surgery residency at Baltimore City Hospital, Dr. Asher spent 51 months in Boston, graduating from the Harvard Combined Orthopedic Surgery Residency, including a nine-month basic research fellowship.

In January 1972, after 15 months on faculty at the University of Texas San Antonio Health Sciences Center, Dr. Asher returned to Kansas University Medical Center (KUMC) as assistant professor of orthopedic surgery. He progressively sub-specialized in pediatric orthopedics and spinal deformities, soon working with the Kansas Crippled Children's Commission (now Special Health Services) field clinics. He also participated in the circuit courses conducted by the Postgraduate Medical Education Department at KUMC. As a result of these experiences and his knowledge of Kansas life, Dr. Asher developed a series of clinics based on the principle that it was easier for one person to travel to patients than for a full clinic of patients to travel to one person. Eventually clinics were established in Colby, Garden City, Hayes, Hutchinson, Parsons, Salina, and in Topeka at the Kansas Neurological Institute and the Capper Foundation. Most of these clinics are still maintained by Dr. Asher's successors.

Between 1971 and his death in 1980, renowned Houston Paul Randall Harrington, a Kansas City, Kansas native, HUMC graduate, and originator of the world's first successful spinal implant system, and Dr. Asher became acquainted. The relationship led to the development of the Mary Alice and Paul R. Harrington Distinguished Professorship of Molecular Orthopedics at KUMC. In addition, Dr. Harrington willed his academic materials to KUMC. The timing between the development of the Harrington Archives and the maturing of Dr. Asher's practice led to his participation in the development of the Isola Spine Implant System. From 1991 and 2003, Dr. Asher hosted many visiting surgeons and traveled worldwide teaching and demonstrating his techniques.

Dr. Asher has received many honors including five awards from the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS): Community Service, 1987; basic research, 1991; clinical research, 1999; and clinical posters, 1996 and 2002. He was Editor-in-Chief of the first Orthopedic Knowledge Update: Home Study Syllabus, published in 1984, for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). This publication became a centerpiece of the AAOS educational offering, has been repeated every three years since, and has been emulated by many sub-specialty societies. From 1986 to 1989 he was treasurer of the Pediatric Society of North America (POSNA) and in 1997 president of the SRS. In 1999 he was selected KU School of Medicine Alumnus of the Year. In 2004 he received the Distinguished Achievement Award from POSNA. He has authored or co-authored over 90 peer-reviewed papers, 65 non-peer-reviewed papers and videos, 25 book chapters, and one book.

On December 31, 2002, Dr. Asher retired from active practice. He continues as a fulltime member of the KU School of Medicine faculty, focusing on projects to foster the academic development of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, KUMC, and KU Hospital. Since 2000 he, family members, and friends have worked with the South Central Community Foundation (serving Barber, Comanche, Kingman, Kiowa, Pratt, Rice, and Stafford counties) to establish the Lucile Turner Asher Scholarship in Mathematics. To date none students have received tuition assistance.