Dr. Julian Bailes Jr.

Sport: Dave Dixon AwardSports Medicine

Induction Year: 2016

University: LSU

A Natchitoches native and LSU Medical School graduate, Bailes is one of the leading figures in the field of sports-related concussion research and head trauma. Bailes has testified in front of Congress regarding safety aspects of sports, particularly football from the Pop Warner level up to the NFL, and has taken bold positions related to safety of competitors. He has been instrumental in implementing return-to-play protocols in all 50 states and internationally. A 2011 inductee into the LSU Hall of Distinction, Bailes is a founding member and director of the Brain Injury Research Institute, which focuses on the study of traumatic brain injuries and their prevention. His research has been instrumental in the understanding of the clinical evidence of Chronic-Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive, degenerative disease found in individuals who have been subjected to multiple concussions or sub-concussive blows. Bailes is presently a medical advisor to the NFL Players Association Committee, and the NCAA. He is chairman of the Medical Advisory Board for Pop Warner. Bailes is also the neurological consultant for the NCAA, the Southeastern Conference, Arena League Football and was team physician for 10 years for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Alec Baldwin portrayed Bailes in the movie, “Concussion” which documents Bailes’ vital role in the identification of CTE, and bringing this disease process to the forefront of discussions regarding the safety and future of sports in America. He has performed both clinical and experimental studies on mild traumatic brain injury or concussion, and has expertise in cerebrovascular, epilepsy surgery, and brain tumor surgery, and is ranked in the top one percent of neurosurgeons by U.S. News & World Report. Dr. Bailes has more than 200 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals, and has authored six books concerning various aspects of neurological surgery, and has received more than $27 million in research funding during his career.