A. Rashard Dacus, MD

Dr. Rashard Dacus is the Charles J. Frankel Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Division Head of the Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, and the Vice Chair of Inclusion and Wellness.

He joined the department in August of 2007 after completing a fellowship in hand and upper extremity at the University of California, San Diego. He served as Residency Program Director from 2011 to 2019 after serving as the Assistant Residency Program Director from 2009 to 2011. He served as the Co-Fellowship Director for the Hand and Upper Extremity Division from 2009-2014. Dr. Dacus has also enjoyed being an Assistant Team Physician for James Madison University Athletics since 2008 and continues in that capacity.

Dr Dacus’ practice has grown rapidly in his time here and his practice continues to encompass joint replacement in the hand and elbow and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty as well as microvascular surgery of the hand and upper extremity. He is currently working on a research project to study the effect of EMG results on treatment plans/outcomes in patients with carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome.

Dr. Dacus is dedicated to the Charlottesville community and serves on the Board of Advisors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Virginia and the New Hill Board. He has participated in the Health Fair at Washington Park by providing physicals since 2009. He has served as a mentor and guest speaker for the AVID program at Albemarle High School.

Beyond Orthopaedics

“Dr. Dacus enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters and traveling to new places.”

Charles J. Frankel Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia

Vice Chair of Inclusion & Wellness, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia

Specialty: Orthopedic Surgery

Subspecialty: Hand and Upper Extremity

Education: Tulane University

Residency: Emory University

Certification: Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery by the
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Microvascular surgery
Upper extremity trauma and arthroplasty

Dr. Dacus’ research focuses on tendon adhesion following repair as the process relates to the mobilization protocols and the effect of growth factors on repair patterns.

Current IRB Studies

• ASSH Demographics
• Upper Extremity Neuropathy Following Total Elbow Arthroplasty
• ASSH Video Library
• Rate of Wound Complications or Return to Surgery for Hand Soft Tissue Procedures in Smokers
• Bilateral CTR
• Staple Fixation for Scapholunate Ligament Stabilization: A Retrospective Case Series
• ReFeel Nerve Repair Trial

Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Certificate of Added Qualification for Surgery of the Hand

Licensed to practice in Virginia