R. Shane Barton, MD, MPH, FAAOS, FAOA, FACS, returns to the Willis Knighton Physician Network and The Orthopaedic Clinic to continue his practice in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine. He will serve as the executive medical director for Willis Knighton Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. Dr. Barton’s clinical expertise ranges from nonoperative sports medicine to complex operative reconstruction of the shoulder, elbow and knee, and in addressing medical issues of athletes.  

A native of East Texas, he graduated as a Presidential Endowed Scholar from Texas A&M University, working as a computer engineer with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. At NASA, he was awarded multiple research honors for his work in robotic vision and image processing. He then attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, graduating with honors as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He went on to Harvard Medical School-Massachusetts General Hospital, where he finished his fellowship training in shoulder and sports medicine in 2005, serving as the assistant team physician for the New England Patriots. While there, he served as a graduate clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School.

In addition, Dr. Barton earned a Master of Public Health degree at LSU Health/LSU Shreveport and completed an MBA and Master of Science in Healthcare Management and Leadership at University of Texas at Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical School. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, with additional board certification in sports medicine.

Dr. Barton has served patients in the Ark-La-Tex since 2005. He maintains an academic appointment as Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at LSU Health Shreveport where he was previously Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Through the years, he has served as team physician for many regional sports clubs and schools. Dr. Barton is also a commissioned reserve deputy with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and a tactical medical director for Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and for the Louisiana State Police SWAT team. He is the holder of several medical device patents. He has published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, co-authored a book, written book chapters, and presented nationally and internationally.  

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Barton finds great joy in his personal life with his wife, Tammy, and his two children, Ethan (Olivia) and Ella Grace.