Inductees

Dr. James Leslie was born on August 12, 1922, in Rhineland, Missouri, the sixth child of Dr. James and Ella (McAfoos) Leslie. His family moved to Jefferson City when he was 5, where he graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1940, having been a State Champion swimmer and accomplished golfer.

Leslie attended college during WWII in the Army ROTC program and began active duty while studying in Baton Rouge, LA. After serving in the Army, he attended the University of Missouri’s two-year Medical School. Leslie finished his medical degree at Louisiana State University in New Orleans in 1947.  After completing his Orthopedic Residency at Stanford University in 1955, he again served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1961.

Along with Dr. Fred Tietjen, Jim founded the Bone and Joint Clinic, Jefferson City’s first orthopedic practice. A skilled surgeon, he developed the shoulder repair technique known as the Anterior Axillary Incision,  which was published in Campbell’s Operative Orthopedics. Later, Jim joined his youngest son, Chris, in practice at Leslie Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at the Lake of the Ozark, where he continued as a consulting physician and mentor for many years.

Leslie volunteered for more than 50 years as the team doctor for Pete Adkins and the Jefferson City Jays football team. He could be found on the sidelines on Friday nights at both home and away games. Leslie was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1987 for his outstanding career as a Sports Medicine physician. He was honored as the Jefferson City Distinguished Alumni in 1989.

Leslie served on the Board of Directors of Jefferson Bank, was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and served as Chief of Staff at Memorial Hospital. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Men’s League at Jefferson City Country Club and a two-time Club Champion.