New Chief of Staff is a Familiar Face at Shriners Children’s Lexington

2024 is shaping up to be a milestone year for Vishwas Talwalkar, M.D., in more ways than one. Dr. Talwalkar is celebrating his 25th year at Shriners Children’s Lexington, and is rising to a leadership role as chief of staff of the nearly 100-year-old facility.

“I am very excited to continue to be part of the outstanding team here, and continue to advance the care of children,” Dr. Talwalkar said. “I strive to continue to build on the excellent foundation that has been established here. I appreciate the opportunity to care for children and families with other people who share that vision to provide the most amazing care anywhere, as well as the opportunities to build on our legacy of teaching and research. This is really the best job I could imagine.”

In addition to his role as chief of staff, Dr. Talwalkar will assume the role of chief of the pediatric orthopedic division at UK HealthCare’s Kentucky Children’s Hospital, and continue as professor of orthopedic surgery and pediatrics at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Shriners Children’s Lexington’s academic partner.

Dr. Talwalkar graduated summa cum laude from Murray State University in Kentucky. He obtained his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. He further sub-specialized in pediatric orthopedics and spine surgery with training at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas.

Having grown up in Lexington and having developed a passion for pediatric orthopedics, Dr. Talwalkar knew Shriners Children’s Lexington would feel like home to him. He recalls being a fourth-year resident in the late 1990s and making phone calls about an open position for a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at the medical center.

“I knew I wanted to come back to Lexington,” Dr. Talwalkar said. “As I learned more and more about pediatric orthopedics, I found that I also wanted to be in a place where there was a need. I had also trained at a place where the ability to pay was not something that came into consideration, just like at Shriners Children’s. Providing every child the best care possible is the singular focus.”