Akin Cil, MD

Akin Cil, MD, MBA, is the Rex L. Diveley Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. He is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery, with particular expertise in complex reconstruction, shoulder and elbow arthroplasty, sports-related conditions, and upper-extremity trauma.

Dr. Cil received his medical degree and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Türkiye. He subsequently completed fellowship training in adult reconstruction at Baylor College of Medicine, upper-extremity reconstruction at Mayo Clinic, and pediatric orthopaedic sports medicine at Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School before joining the UMKC faculty in 2008.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Cil has longstanding interests in orthopaedic education, research, health policy, and healthcare leadership. His scholarly work spans shoulder and elbow reconstruction, arthroplasty, biomechanics, orthopaedic trauma, patient access and health equity, medical device safety, and emerging applications of artificial intelligence in orthopaedics. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has lectured nationally and internationally on shoulder and elbow surgery.

Dr. Cil serves as Chair of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Multicenter Study Groups Committee, helping develop collaborative research initiatives involving investigators and institutions across North America. He is also President and Board Chair of the Global Elbow Network Foundation and holds leadership roles within the Global Elbow Network, an international organization dedicated to advancing elbow care through global collaboration, education, research, and scientific discovery.

At University Health, Dr. Cil serves as President of the Medical Staff and as a member of the University Health Board. He previously served as President and Chair of the University Health Physicians Board. His leadership interests include academic medicine, physician engagement, healthcare delivery, health equity, and developing the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons and leaders.

Throughout his career, Dr. Cil has remained committed to combining excellent patient care with education, scientific collaboration, and service. His work reflects a particular emphasis on bringing physicians and institutions together to improve musculoskeletal care locally, nationally, and globally.