Growing up in Texas, David Gray, M.D., had 3 passions: sports, history and biology. He has always been interested in learning how the body works. His first library book in elementary school was on the anatomy of the skeleton.
During his years of athletic activities, he had more than one opportunity to visit the orthopaedic surgeon. Orthopaedics seemed a natural fit for someone that loved biology and sports. As a child and teenager he always enjoyed working with tools, so becoming a surgeon seemed to be a career that involved all of his interests.
He attended Baylor University where he majored in biology, and then went on to the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. There, he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. At the end of medical school, Dr. Gray knew he wanted to be a surgeon, but he could not decide between orthopaedics, general surgery, or cardiac surgery. After 2 years of general surgery he made the decision to pursue orthopaedic surgery, and he went to The Johns Hopkins Hospital for his Orthopaedic Residency training.
Johns Hopkins was a formative opportunity for Dr. Gray. The institution is steeped in history. Having the privilege of learning from some of the best in medicine, as well as the opportunity in the Johns Hopkins library to study, touch and read medical books and journals dating from the 1800’s was a highlight of his early career. At the end of his residency, Dr. Gray completed a Fellowship in Pediatric Orthopaedics at Johns Hopkins studying Orthopaedic and Spine Deformities in children.
When he completed his training he joined the Johns Hopkins Department of Orthopaedics Faculty as an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics. Two years later, Dr. Gray moved to Atlanta, Georgia, joining the faculty at Scottish Rite Hospital. For seven years he practiced Pediatric Orthopaedics and Spine deformity at Scottish Rite.
After 7 years in Atlanta it was time to move home. In 2001, Dr. Gray joined the faculty at Cook Children's in Fort Worth as Medical Director of Orthopaedics. Today, he continues to enjoy all areas of pediatric orthopaedics including sports, fractures and neuromuscular disorders affecting the skeleton. He has taken a special interest over the years in spine deformities, and he is an active member in the Scoliosis Research Society.
He stepped down as Medical Director of Orthopaedics at Cook Children's in 2019 to spend more time with his family, while allowing him the time to serve on committees of the Scoliosis Research Society. Throughout his career Dr. Grays's most vibrant memories are the people. He remembers his teachers, mentors, and all the patients that personify the strength of the human spirit. The tireless dedication of families, the joy, and the tears are an inspiration.
