September 2, 2026

Asif Ilyas, MD '01, MBA, has been named academic chair of orthopedic surgery. He has served the College as interim chair of the department since December 2025 and is a professor of orthopedic surgery and pediatrics, and associate dean of clinical research.

Dr. Ilyas will lead efforts to strengthen and unify the orthopedic surgery enterprise across the College of Medicine’s regional and affiliate campuses, both nationally and internationally. He will build upon his impressive track record of leadership, mentorship and support of faculty, fellows, residents and professional staff within the department.

Dr. Ilyas will continue in his role of overseeing clinical research. He has been successful in expanding medical student access to research opportunities, increasing faculty engagement, supporting scholarly submissions and presentations at scientific meetings, and encouraging publication in peer-reviewed journals and applications for grant funding.

After earning his medical degree from MCP-Hahnemann University, a predecessor institution of the College of Medicine, in 2001, Dr. Ilyas completed postgraduate training in general and orthopedic surgery at Temple, and in hand, upper extremity and microsurgery at Harvard. He is a professor of orthopedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and a surgeon at the Rothman Institute. He also serves as president of the Rothman Institute Foundation for Opioid Research & Education. Beyond his clinical and teaching roles, Dr. Ilyas is the consulting hand surgeon for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia 76ers, and he assists in supporting the care of student athletes at Drexel University.