Experience in care.
Purpose in innovation.

Pioneering Research in Neurotransmitter Levels Following Spinal Cord Injuries

Early in my academic journey at Indiana University, IN, I delved deep into the effects of spinal cord injuries on neurotransmitter levels. This foundational research provided invaluable insights into the potential therapeutic interventions for spinal cord injury patients.

Innovations in Orthopedic Trauma and Joint Reconstructions

My focus on shoulder ailments was sharpened through an intensive two-year clinical research project to portray late clinical outcomes of intricate fractures, relying on assessments of primarily elderly survivors. This research provided a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and potential solutions in the realm of orthopedic trauma.

Microvessel Research and Bone Formation

At the University of Pennsylvania McKay Orthopedic Laboratories, PA, I spearheaded projects that delved into the role of microvessels as stem cells and their intricate interactions in bone formation. This research has the potential to revolutionize treatments for a range of bone-related ailments.

Orthopedic Innovations and Patents

Throughout my career, I've championed numerous innovations in orthopedics, ranging from the development of custom thermoplastic splints for hand fractures to the conceptualization, testing, and patenting of a revolutionary fixation construct for unstable calcaneus fractures.

Collaborative Research and Drug Delivery

In collaboration with experts in local drug delivery biodevices, while trauma center PI for a national clinical trial of BMP-2 delivery to open fractures (Genzyme), I demonstrated the usefulness of a resorbable polysaccharide pad for antibiotic delivery to severe open fractures in an animal model and a pilot clinical trial. This research has potential to transform treatment of open wounds.

Training

Indiana University equipped me with a wealth of practical clinical skills for management of a range of medical problems very useful to my patients throughout my career. Initially I aimed towards neurosurgery but grew to prefer orthopedics after considering eye surgery. I was recognized with the Merck Award for my research on neurotransmitter levels following spinal cord injury with our campus' neurosurgeons.

Expertise

I learned efficiency in contemporary surgery at the University of Minnesota and enjoyed also the study and thinking about diseases after transferring to the Univ of No Carolina. I've always been driven to find solutions for those who seemed to have none. A late follow-up study of proximal humerus fractures uncovered data very difficult to derive, which changed this field away from always operating, guided by giants in our field.

Approach to Innovation

A mere five years into my surgical practice, I felt the compelling need to delve deeper into research. This passion led me to the renowned University of Pennsylvania McKay Orthopedic Laboratories. Here, I spearheaded projects that delved into the role of microvessels as stem cells and their intricate interactions in bone formation, leading to a PhD dissertation that qualified for an advanced degree.

Business Acumen

My business instincts are a legacy from my parents. My father veered away from surgery after serving as medic in WWII, to obtain an ivy-league business degree and was happiest for decades guiding Indiana University as business manager whereas my mother was one of the first women through the IU Business School and was a leader in the women-owned hospital before its acquisition. My skill with finances has given me freedom and the ability to launch start-ups, with innovation at the heart of all my endeavors. My longstanding association with the Council of Entrepreneurial Development (CED) in the Research Triangle Park of N.C., and the recent inception of an orthopedic product design company (OrthoAgile) in collaboration with the First Flight Venture Center (FFVC) are its latest iterations.

Glenoid Fixation Challenge

In the ever-evolving world of arthroplasty, the quest for a permanent solution to glenoid implant fixation in the shoulder remains elusive. While current methodologies show promise, they come with inherent challenges, especially for our elderly patients. Our team is steadfast in its belief that these challenges can be surmounted with a novel, less invasive fixation strategy that is more conducive to bone ingrowth. Because of insightful guidance from encouraging experts in the industry, and exceptional work by our team of skilled designers/renders, 3D print experts, testers, and computer-based testers (FEA), we’ve made remarkable progress toward what seems a substantial gain in the field of shoulder replacement. Specialists in field we’ve polled are enthusiastic, especially for its use in patients with challenging anatomy - from poor development, trauma or prior surgery - to provide reliably strong glenoid component fixation in support of permanent fixation by bone ingrowth. Today, these challenging cases are all treated with replacements using a Reverse design strategy. Our fixation method may allay concerns about longevity of fixation and possible bone fracture around the implants for these cases.

Because of this advantage of our device, and its access to a less arduous pathway to first clinical use -(510(k), a device with similar application- we intend to first deploy our fixation on Reverse Shoulder Baseplates. Our device offers an alternative to those existing, which rely on multiple large screws. In pursuit of this path, we seek innovation grants (SBIR) and manufacturer collaborations.

Depending on our experience with the fixation scheme’s performance in these most difficult cases, we hope to meet with further encouragement towards expansion of our design to create a complete shoulder replacement, one that leverages its better glenoid fixation strength for use in the constraint of pathologic motions typical of shoulders with advanced disease. We’re encouraged to think that our design innovation may one day provide an anatomic scheme of replacement to all patients with advanced shoulder pathology, allowing rehab towards normal function with fewer complications.

Hydrogel care to wounds

Our group of trauma orthopedists at WakeMed in Raleigh, explored polysaccharide gels (Sorbsan) as protectant and antibiotic delivery agent to wound surfaces with significant reduction in wound infection in a hamster model of open fractures, femurs stabilized with intramedullary fixation, and an IRB-guided study of trauma patients with a variety of open fracture wounds. The DOD has invited our application to modify this product for their use in the field to finally overcome the effects of this injury, which prevent all but 10% from returning to active duty.