Richard Wallace was Chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia from 1997 to 2004. He is now retired and lives in Columbia. Wallace says hip replacement surgery changed his life.

“Dr. Bal has replaced both of my hips — the first about five years ago and the second in the summer of 2005. Both of my new hips are working amazingly well. Prior to both operations I had considerable arthritis pain, which medications could only partially eliminate. I now lead a normal ‘walking and exercising’ life without pain.

“Indeed, I claim hip replacements to be near-miracle operations. I have had no complications, and, particularly with the new procedures that were used this past summer, the recovery time has been relatively short and painless. It has been a real pleasure to meet and get to know Dr. Bal. He is caring, thorough in his explanations, and a great friend. We are fortunate that he is a faculty member in our School of Medicine.”