Ida Fox, MD, a professor of surgery in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, was awarded the 2024 Dr. Neville Grant Award for Clinical Excellence from Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
“Dr. Grant was a physician, a scholar and a humanitarian,” says Michael Bavlsik, MD, a Washington University Physician at the Grant Medical Clinic, who presented Fox with the award at the BJH Semi-Annual Medical Staff Association meeting in April. Bavlsik, who sustained a cervical spinal cord injury in 2012, shared the story of regaining hand and arm movement after a nerve-transfer surgery performed by Fox. “When I saw Dr. Fox in clinic, she drew out the nerves and described the plan to me in detail. It was evident that she cared—not only about my surgery, but also about my goals for life after surgery. I can now use an otoscope and pen with the hand she operated on!”
Fox, who serves as co-director of the Center for Nerve Injury and Paralysis, specializes in nerve and tendon procedures that restore upper limb movement to people with cervical spinal cord injuries. Fox is known for her biopsychosocial approach to medicine—considering an individual’s physical condition, psychological status, and social circumstances when determining the best approach.
“I am proud of the challenging and rewarding work we do at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University,” says Fox, who is also director of the hand surgery fellowship program in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “This award is particularly meaningful in its history and the serendipitous connections to my clinical and research work to improve arm and hand movement in people living with cervical spinal cord injury.”
Fox earned her medical degree from University of Rochester School of Medicine, where she also completed plastic surgery residency training. She completed hand and microsurgery fellowship training and a peripheral nerve research fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where she has served on the faculty in the Department of Surgery since 2008.
“The Grant Award serves as a testament to Dr. Fox’s exceptional qualities, which include the delivery of superb clinical care, remarkable compassion for patients and their families, extraordinary respect toward colleagues and other caregivers, and mentorship of house officers and medical students,” says Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, the Sydney M. Jr. and Robert H. Shoenberg Chair and chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
In addition to her surgical practice, Fox leads research focused on decision-making and outcomes for surgery following cervical spinal cord injury. As a surgical educator, she has contributed to the training and mentorship of residents, fellows and medical students within the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
“Dr. Fox is a steadfast example of why so many of us went into medicine: to meet a patient where they are, hear their story, and partner with them to provide care which allows them to return to their lives better off than they were before,” write the plastic surgery residents who have trained with Fox.
“Dr. Fox embodies the utmost care for patients, including by far the most detailed surgical plans, which are appreciated for us as colleagues in the care of complex injured patients,” says Anna Miller, MD, the Jerome J. Gilden, MD, Distinguished Professor and vice chair of faculty affairs in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the School of Medicine, who nominated Fox for the award this year. “She truly goes above and beyond in the time and effort she puts into patients.”
The Dr. Neville Grant Award for Clinical Excellence is granted annually to a member of the BJH attending medical staff who serves as a role model for other caregivers at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. The award was established to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Neville Grant, whose father founded the Grant Medical Clinic in 1890.