News and Events
2023 News and Events
Faculty, Alumni Students, and Research Fellow Presenting at PRiSM 2023
Top left - Stanford Pediatric Orthopaedic Faculty Dr. Emily Kraus at the Podium
Top Right - Nick Thomas, Summer 2021 remote research program student presenting his Stanford research study
Bottom Left- Anshal Gupta; Stanford Med Student
Bottom Center - Keinan Agonias Summer 2022 remote research program student presenting his Stanford research study
Bottom Right - Stanford Pediatric Orthopaedic Faculty Dr. Molly Meadows at the Podium presenting on behalf of another faculty member Dr. Stephanie Pun.
2022 News and Events
Scoliosis Research Society
Dr. John Vorhies attended the 57th Annual Scoliosis Research Society Meeting held in Stockholm, Sweden.
- Top Left: Dr. Vorhies presenting his paper: Factors Associated With Opioid Use Disorder Following Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Bottom Left: Dr. Vorhies presenting his paper: Curve Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes in Scoliosis Associated With Childhood Sternotomy or Thoracotomy: A Multicenter Study Over 19 Years
- Bottom Right: Dr. Vorhies with the incoming SRS President, Serena Hu
SRS Research Grant Outcome Symposium
Dr. John Vorhies presented the following topic at the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Research Grant Outcome Symposium Saturday, March 5th: Leveraging Embedded Haptic Sensor Technology for Force Vector Mapping in Orthoses for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.
An SRS grant was awarded to Dr. Vorhies and Dr. Carla Pugh for the project: “Flexible Pressure Sensors for Tracking Scoliosis Bracing in Pediatric Patients” and is in collaboration with the T.E.C.I. (Technology Enabled Clinical Improvement) research study. The purpose of this research is to develop a cloth sensor for measuring forces applied by scoliosis braces on pediatric patients. The presentation provided updates on the project so far, as the research team is continuing to test the cloth sensor. You can view the recording here:
2022 MCHRI Symoposium
Our current team member Xochitl Bryson, CRC to Dr. Vorhies, presenting her poster at the Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) Symposium on the project: “Factors Associated with Opioid Use Disorder Following Spinal Fusion in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis”.
POSNA Conference: May 11-14 2022
Members of our research team will be traveling to Vancouver in British Columbia next week to attend the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) annual meeting. Our faculty will be presenting the following topics on the podium and as posters:
- POSNA Safe Surgery Quality Improvement Program - First Year Results. Podium presentation by Dr. Kevin Shea.
- Pre-operative Anxiety and Depression is Associated with Worse Patient-Reported Outcomes After Periacetabular Osteotomy and Hip Arthroscopy Surgery. Podium presentation by Dr. Stephanie Pun.
- Can Caregivers Forecast Child Postoperative Disability After Elective Orthopaedic Surgery? Podium presentation by Dr. Steven Frick.
- Biomechanical Forces of the Lateral Knee Joint Following Complete Meniscectomy and Subsequent Meniscal Transplant in Pediatric Cadavers. Poster presentation by Dr. Kevin Shea.
- POSNA Safe Surgery Program - Quality Metric Solution Variation. Poster presentation by Dr. Kevin Shea.
- Evaluation of Deformity in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Mobile Device-Based Surface Topography. Poster presentation by Dr. John Vorhies.
Sal Ayala and Nick Thomas, 2021 Summer Research Students.
Alumni Students and Research Fellow Presenting at PRiSM
Members of our research team attended the 2022 Annual PRiSM Meeting in Houston, Texas. It was a pleasure to see our 2021 Summer Research Program students, Sal Ayala and Nick Thomas, and our 2021 Research Fellow, Danika Baskar, present their projects at the conference.
Sal Ayala, 2021 Summer Research Student Presenting.
Presentations included:
- Osseous and Cartilaginous Trochlear Morphology in Pediatric Patients from 2 Months to 11 Years of Age: A Descriptive Analysis Based on Computed Tomography Scanning (Sal Ayala).
- Distance to Neurovascular Bundle During Iliotibial Band Graft Passage: A Cadaveric Study (Nick Thomas).
- Quantifying the Relationship Between the Medial Patellofemoral Complex and Patellar Borders: A Pediatric Cadaveric Study (Danika Baskar).
AAOS Conference: March 22-26 2022
Members of our research team will be traveling Chicago, IL to attend the annual American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons conference. Here are some of the research topics that will be presented by our team:
- Effects of Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors on Club Foot Relapse Treatment (Dr. Kali Tileston)
- The Role of Health Mindset in Adolescents’ Compliance with Brace Wear for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (Dr. Kali Tileston)
- Adult Hip Dysplasia and Trochlear Dysplasia: An MRI Study of Hip Preservation Patients (Dr. Stephanie Pun)
- Screening and monitoring of deformity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using mobile device based surface topography (Dr. John Vorhies)
- Evaluating the correlation and performance of SRS and PROMIS questionnaires in patients presenting with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (Dr. John Vorhies)
- Can Caregivers Forecast Child Postoperative Disability After Elective Orthopaedic Surgery? (Dr. Steven Frick)
- High-Impact Remote Summer Research Program to Improve DEI In Orthopaedic Surgery (Dr. Kevin Shea)
POSNA QSVI Grant Awarded to Dr. John Vorhies
Dr. John Vorhies was awarded a POSNA QSVI Grant for $5k over 1 year for the project: A Biopsychosocial Model of Care of Pediatric Spine Clinic. The purpose of the study is to utilize a previously validated biopsychosocial model of care to evaluate whether providing this type of support for patients with AIS in tandem with the traditional care plan decreases anxiety, improves health mindset, and increases satisfaction with care.
2021 News and Events
The Pediatric Orthopaedic Team Attends IPOS
In December 2021, the Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Department was lucky to send a group that included faculty, fellows, residents, APPs, and research team members to the International Pediatric Orthopaedic Symposium in Orlando, Fl. It was very exciting as this was one of the first conferences in person since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This conference is specifically education focused and the week is filled with talks given by invited faculty. Our own Dr. Steven Frick and Dr. Kevin Shea were among those who were regularly seen on the podium sharing their knowledge with the young and inquisitive minds in the room. They discussed topics from clubfoot, ACL tears, to quality improvement. The week was also special to be able to reunite with many colleagues who had not seen each other in person in months. The Stanford crew was lucy to see former Resident Blake Montgomery (now a fellow at Boston Childrens) and former fellow Tyler J. Stavinoha (now an attending at Children’s Hospital of San Antonio). It is always a pleasure to see our alumni go on to do wonderful things.
Dr. Kevin Shea: Speaker at Oscar Miller Day
On October 29th, 2021, Dr. Kevin Shea was invited to speak at the 40th Annual Oscar Miller Day in Charlotte, North Carolina, hosted by the physicians of the OrthoCarolina Pediatric Orthopedic Center. The topic this year was, "Can't Miss Orthopedic Injuries in Children and Adolescents."
Remote Summer Research Program Launch
The Pediatric Orthopaedic Research Program launched a pilot remote summer research program, funded by the department diversity grant. The 8-week summer research program consisted of 17 students from all across the country interested in learning more about orthopaedics - majority of which were first year medical students. Students were matched with a faculty and peer mentor for the summer, and attended weekly instructional courses lead by faculty and staff. Instructional courses included topics such as bibliographies/citation managers, introduction to electronic databases, biostatistics, manuscript writing, diversity in orthopaedics, family planning in orthopaedics, applying to orthopaedic residency programs, and specialties within orthopaedics. Students also had the opportunity to engage in research with their faculty mentor.
“In all honesty, my experience was terrific, and despite it being online, the faculty and our PI's did such a fantastic job mentoring us throughout our projects and being transparent about venturing into orthopedic surgery as a field on its own. The lessons and skills that I have learned will play a significant role in my career as I continue to work with my PI and venture into other projects that I can conduct myself someday. This program's inclusive and diverse atmosphere further enhanced my engagement by discussing the importance of representation and cultural awareness in medicine as a whole. With the knowledge I have obtained from this program, I hope to pay it forward to be a well-rounded, compassionate physician one day." Abdul-Lateef Shafau, Medical Student at Central Michigan University
“I have had been presented the amazing opportunity of participating in this Stanford Summer Research Program. As an undergraduate student, I have learned valuable materials that I will be able to consistently use throughout my life as an aspiring physician and researcher. Not only have I learned these materials, but I have made connections with those I am working with. This has been a priceless experience that I will forever remember what I have learned from the amazing people that I had the honor of working with.” Cristina Hernandez, Undergraduate Student at the College of Idaho
“Participating in the remote Orthopaedic Summer Research program at Stanford was an incredibly valuable experience. Coming into the summer, I hoped to improve upon my ability to efficiently engage in research. Each week’s instructional courses gave me specific tools and advice that I was able to implement immediately, both in my research with Stanford and at my own university. I am coming out of this experience feeling substantially more confident in my ability to see a research project through from conception to publication. Furthermore, this program offered an in-depth exposure into the field of orthopaedics that allowed me to expand upon my limited technical exposure. As a woman pursuing orthopaedics, I recognize the significance of this program in equipping me with the foundational knowledge and tools to succeed.” Teeto Ezeonu, Medical Student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College
“My experience in this summer research program gave me the opportunity to gain research skills, speak to mentors in the field of Orthopedics, and feel more confident in my ability as a future physician to help build upon the knowledge of medicine through research endeavors. I look forward to using the knowledge I gained to be better equipped to critically evaluate new evidence to provide the best healthcare to my future patients. I would also like to thank Dr. Scott Delp for allowing me to participate and learn from his lab regarding the field of biomechanics.” Jonathan Freeman, Medical Student at the University of Nevada
Team Members Moving on to Graduate School and Medical School
Five of our team members are moving on to graduate programs this Fall. It is always bittersweet to say goodbye to our team members, but rewarding to see everyone pursuing their dreams. We have loved watching our team members being mentored under our faculty, creating their own research projects, presenting abstracts at conferences each year, and publishing first-author manuscripts. Congratulations everyone! We will miss having you all on our team.
- Katie Hastings, Research Program Manager, will be starting her PhD in Population and Health Sciences at UBC-Vancouver.
- Brian Vuong, CRC to Dr. Kevin Shea, will be starting his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Stanford University.
- Shayna Mehta, CRC to Dr. Emily Kraus, will be starting her MD program at Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine.
- Joanna Langner, CRC to Dr. John Vorhies, will be starting her MD program at UC-San Diego.
- Danika Baskar, Research Fellow to Dr. Steven Frick, will be returning as a MS4 to Rutgers University.
"I couldn't have chosen a better place to work and a better team than Stanford Peds Ortho for my gap year before medical school. I have deeply enjoyed the teamwork, learning opportunities, and dedication to medicine and science.
One of my favorite memories from this past year was having the opportunity to see a project through from start to finish that tested aerosol samples in the operating room. It was amazing being able to see my PI (Dr. Vorhies) perform surgery and better understand what he does outside of the clinic. It inspired me to consider pursuing surgery for my medical practice, and left a lasting mark on my pathway to medicine.
I will miss everyone and can't wait to watch this department continue to grow and expand. Best of luck!" Joanna Langner
POSNA 2021 Conference
From May 12-15, the Pediatric Orthopaedic team travelled to Dallas, Texas to attend the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society for North America annual meeting.
Stanford Medicine presented the following topics:
- Clubfoot Activity, Recurrence & Exercise (CARES): A Pilot Study (Dr. Steven Frick)
- Trans-articular versus Retro-articular Drilling of Stable Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial by the ROCK Multicenter Study Group (Dr. Kevin Shea)
- Proof of Concept for Articifical Intelligence Based Estimation of Skeletal Maturity from Biplanar Slot Scan Scoliosis Imaging (Dr. John Vorhies)
- Quantitative Assessment of the Medial Patellofemoral Complex: A Pediatric Cadaveric Study (Dr. Kevin Shea)
- What Your Practice Really Needs is an NP (Dr. Meghan Imrie)
Congratulations to the team!
Dr. Steven Frick, Dr. Meghan Imrie, Dr. Tyler Stavinoha (2019-2020 Fellow), Dr. Monte Squiers (2020-2021 Fellow)
Dr. Steven Frick and Dr. Kali Tileston
Dr. Steven Frick and Dr. Michael Vitale (President of POSNA)
Dr. Steven Frick Awarded Saul Halpern Orthopaedic Educator of the Year
Congratulations to the Chief of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Frick, for being selected for the Orthopaedic Educator Award. Download the PDF document below to see the comments from the chief residents regarding Dr. Frick’s mentorship and leadership.
Dr. Kevin Shea Awarded for Excellence in Clinical Teaching
Congratulations to Dr. Kevin Shea for being selected as a recipient for the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching. This award recognizes faculty who have made innovative, outstanding contributions to medical education at Stanford University, School of Medicine.
The trails were calling!
As a final goodbye to some of our staff and students, we hiked outdoors along the beautiful trails in Portola Valley together. It’s never easy to say goodbye to members of our team, but we are excited for all of the opportunities ahead for them!
Stanford University joins ANCHOR
Dr. Stephanie Pun has been invited to participate in a multi-center data repository investigating adolescent and adult hip disorders. This registry started in 2008 and is under the Academic Network of Conservational Hip Outcomes Research (ANCHOR) team. The goal of this study is to longitudinally collect and analyze data from patients undergoing hip preservation surgery across multiple research institutions nationally. Stanford University is 1 of 23 sites participating in the data repository, with Washington University in St. Louis as the lead site. Congratulations Dr. Stephanie Pun - this is an exciting opportunity for our team to expand our impact in Hip Dysplasia research!
To learn more about the team, visit the website https://www.anchorhipsurgeons.com/
Stanford-Coulter Grant Awarded
The Coulter Grant from the Stanford Department of Bioengineering has been awarded to Dr. Michael Gardner and Dr. John Vorhies for the study “An artificial intelligence-aided app for detection and management of musculoskeletal deformity.” This research project aims to validate three-dimensional topographical scanning technology as a tool for evaluation of orthopedic injury and deformity, specifically adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Through the incorporation of 3D topographical technology in the measurement of deformity, investigators hope to validate a novel approach to quantify deformity progression and provide an accessible alternative to traditional radiographic workup. Over the next year, the team will be investigating various 3D topographical technology in multiple Stanford clinics for patients being treated or evaluated for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). If you are interested in learning more about this project, please contact our spine team for more information! This project is led by fourth year medical student, Yousi (Josey) Oquendo.
2020 News and Events
Tek or Treat!
One of our recent events on Halloween of 2020 included collecting normative baseline data for the Foot and Ankle Outcomes Assessment Database from the children of pediatric orthopedic surgeons in our practice. The children who volunteered to participate walked across the Tekscan Strideway Mat and helped our study team develop a normative data set for eventual comparison with our research subject cohorts. Their participation also allowed our team to become more familiar with collecting data using the technology. The best part of the day was seeing the children come dressed up in a variety of fun costumes and enjoying sweet treats as a thank you for their participation in the spirit of Halloween!
Foot/Ankle Outcomes Assessment Center
Our team has been working on learning how to use the Tekscan Strideway mat to collect pedobarographic data and various gait parameters. In the next few months, we will be working on implementing the Strideway mat at the Sunnyvale clinic along with gathering patient reported outcomes and photo/video assessments to follow patient progress and report on clinical outcomes through research.
Research coordinators taking over virtual presentations
Shayna Mehta presented her work, "National Multicenter Retrospective Chart Review of Adolescent Tarsal Navicular Bone Stress Injuries" at the 3rd annual Stanford Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) symposium.
Congratulations, Shayna!
Establishing Anatomical Relationships from Donor Specimens
Together with a team of medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty, we are working on characterizing relationships between crucial anatomical landmarks using pediatric donor specimens. Our group aims to identify these structures through a series of careful dissections and obtain data through measurements, photographs, videos, and advanced imaging. Current projects include trochlear development anatomy, Tib-Fib joint anatomy, ligament biomechanical properties, knee joint contact mechanics, biomechanical evaluation of meniscus repair techniques, and ACL repair instrument testing. Through our work, we hope to gain a deeper appreciation for the relationships between critical structures in pediatric joints to expand our knowledge of the known anatomy and enhance surgical planning.
Congrats to Japsimran, CRC on matriculating to medical school!
One of our coordinators, Japsimran Kaur is heading off to medical school at the University of Rochester, New York. While it is always hard to say goodbye to our fellow staff, it’s more exciting to see them go off and follow their dreams!
Congratulations, Japsimran - we are so excited to hear about your next achievements!
SRS Grant Awarded to Drs. Vorhies and Pugh
Co-investigators Drs. John Vorhies and Carla Pugh have been awarded a $50,000 award by The Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) for their study “Leveraging Embedded Haptic Sensor Technology for Force Vector Mapping in Orthoses for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.” This project aims to develop an pediatric cloth sensor for measuring forces applied by a scoliosis brace on pediatric patients. Further, the project aims to utilize the sensor to track bracing longitudinally, first discretely during patient visits, and then continuously with at-home wear.
Dr. Kali Tileston and Dr. John Vorhies awarded $30,000 SRS Grant
Co-investigators Drs. Kali Tileston and John Vorhies have been awarded $30,000 from the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) for their study, “Health Mindset in Postoperative Mobilization after Posterior Spinal Fusion.” Patients wear a Fitbit for 3 months after posterior spinal fusion, and take surveys related to pain, mobility, physical activity, and health mindset each week. The project aims to understand how health mindset and other factors relate to a patient’s mobility after posterior spinal fusion surgery.
POSNA Grant Awarded to Drs. Vorhies and Tsui
POSNA has awarded the Zimmer Biomet Spine Research Grant to Drs. John Vorhies and Chi-Ho Ban Tsui in the amount of $30,000. This award will be used to fund the project “Erector spinae plane catheters and clinical outcomes after spinal fusion” which is investigating the use of erector spinae plane blocks as a new technique for localized pain management to improve how well pain is controlled after spinal surgeries.
Peds Ortho Team Attends the Bay Area Clinical Research Symposium at UCSF
Brian Vuong (2020 Research Fellow) and Nicole Segovia (Research Data Analyst) presented a study looking at maternity nurses and their knowledge on newborn swaddling techniques. We identified a need for improved swaddling education in order to teach parents the correct techniques. It was at the Bay Area Clinical Research Symposium at UCSF, where researchers from UCSF, Kaiser, Stanford, and Sutter/CPMC attended.
2019 News and Events
Katie Hastings and Paige Campbell Travel to Ecuador
October 6th, Katie and Paige arrive.
Upon arrival, there was notification of a national strike led by the Confederacion de Nacionalidades Indigenas del Ecuador (CONAIE) on October 9, 2019. Roadblocks were set up throughout the country by protesting indigenous group – so all transportation had been halted (including airfare). Running water was cut off in neighboring counties, there were gas shortages (no cooking, heating), and majority of businesses were closed. Due to the political turmoil, several attendees and presenters of the POSNA Conference (where data collection for the DDH Care Map would take place) cancelled their trip and the conference was tentatively rescheduled for a later date.
October 9th, Ecuador goes on national strike (El Paro Nacional).
Majority of the day, everyone was advised to stay indoors due to heavy military presence throughout town and violent clashes between indigenous groups and the military due to the national strike instituted by CONAIE. Paige is a photographer for her school’s newspaper, so we decided to go out briefly to capture photos of what was going on. It was nothing like we expected; it was worse. People were throwing rocks, vandalizing property, structures and tires being lit on fire, tear gas was thrown at protestors. Later in the evening, when returning home from a brief outing, we both experienced tear gas!
El Paro Nacional, October 9, 2019- Photographs taken by Paige Campbell. Ecuador went on national strike and indigenous populations were rioting throughout the country. Military personnel were deploying tear gas to try and combat violent protests.
Later that night, we left our homestay around 8pm after the protests to meet with a group of orthopaedic surgeons from Ecuador and Mexico, hosted by Dr. Telmo Tapia. It was obvious everyone was in disbelief of what was happening to their beloved country. In Spanish, we discussed our work with the surgeons and the scope of work for our Global DDH Care Map project led by Dr. Kevin Shea. All of the surgeons were extremely enthusiastic at the idea of implementing a care map for early detection of DDH. We discussed issues with DDH screening in Ecuador (i.e. lack of awareness, lack of screening/resources, etc.), and suggestions for specific solutions for early detection in Ecuador. Many identified proper swaddling techniques as a preventive tool, but this opinion varied. Our conversation with local providers inspired anthropological questions surrounding DDH prevention and are now incorporated in our original survey.
POSNA Dinner, October 9, 2019- Attendees from United States (Katie Hastings, Paige Campbell), Mexico, and Ecuador at a local restaurant in Cuenca, Ecuador.
October 11th, Katie and Paige visit Dr. Telmo Tapia at the hospital.
We met with Dr. Telmo Tapia at his public hospital, and he gave us a tour of the facility. We discussed his patient population, resources, medical insurance, and screening protocols in Ecuador. Dr. Tapia showed us recent extreme cases of hip dislocations from patients coming from the Amazon, aged 6-7 years old. It was eye opening to see the severity of these cases and prompted our interest in doing an epidemiological study to evaluate patient characteristics/demographics being seen for hip dysplasia. Katie is in communication with Dr. Tapia in order to learn more about acquiring hospital record data for future work on this topic. We also took the time to informally interview Dr. Tapia on his ideas for culturally appropriate screening practices, and what we should incorporate into a care map.
October 14th, Katie and Paige depart to United States.
We arrived at the airport at 6am in hopes to get on a flight out of Cuenca. Although we expected to be in Ecuador for a few more days due to a second scheduled national strike (i.e. airports shutdown), the night before around 10pm, President Lenin Moreno and CONAIE reached an agreement to overturn the decision to end the fuel subsidy. It was advised that we leave as soon as there were available flights going out of Ecuador, due to uncertainty if negotiations would actually finalize. Luckily, we got on a flight, which took us indirectly to Guayaquil. As the national strike was called off, after two weeks of the country being at a political impasse, transportation resumed and the country worked to restore its peace.
October 15-present, prepare for survey dissemination.
Currently, we are incorporating changes in our survey based on our time in Ecuador, including additional questions with an anthropological basis. We have translated additional questions, digitized them into REDCap, and are preparing the approvals in order to send the final survey link to Dr. Telmo Tapia. Dr. Tapia will then send out the survey to a large listserv of Ecuadorian providers- Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pediatricians, Primary Care Physicians, nurses, etc. We aim to collect data from ~80-100 individuals. Our work will then help assess current practices, knowledge, and protocols for DDH screening in Ecuador, and to inspire ideas for prevention work in the future.
We are extremely grateful to the donors and members of the International Hip Dysplasia Registry and the HIPpy Foundation who funded our trip to Ecuador. Despite the political chaos, we were determined to remain productive and identify ways in which we could make a difference for DDH prevention in Ecuador. Ecuador has the highest incidence of DDH than any other Latin American country, and it is our objective to 1) determine potential factors on why it has the highest incidence, and 2) develop sound strategies that aim to lower the incidence rate in Ecuador. With the support of Dr. Telmo Tapia, we are confident that will we obtain the necessary data and resources in order to begin our work. Not only will this work help the lives of people in Ecuador but will provide a training ground for future doctoral students (Katie, Paige) that hope to have long-term careers in hip dysplasia research and prevention.
Another Fantastic Summer of Research
It's always a sad time of the year when we have to say goodbye to our summer research students. This summer, we hosted four medical students and one undergraduate - Sahej Randhawa (UC San Diego), Sunny Trivedi (U of Florida), Dan Kim (SUNY Upstate), Kira Skaggs (Columbia University- not pictured), and Vincent Gnad (UC Berkeley). Collectively, the group has contributed to several manuscripts to be submitted for publication - including countless hours of MRI measurements - , abstract submissions to national conferences, cadaver lab dissections, shadowing in the OR/clinics, and most importantly, have formed a lasting friendship that will carry with them into their medical careers.
Student Attendance at 2019 WOA
A group of our student researchers attended Western Orthopaedic Association (WOA) this past weekend, August 1-3, 2019 to present their work under faculty mentorship. The following was presented:
Japsimran Kaur, Clinical Research Coordinator - Does Autism Alter the Risk Profile for Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery? (Rapid Fire Presentation)
Alex Karius, Georgia Tech '20 - Distinctive Opiate Prescription Patterns in Adolescent Subpopulations following ACL Reconstruction (Rapid Fire Presentation)
Dana Leonard, MS2 Stanford - Posterior Sternoclavicular Dislocation: Do We Need “Cardiothoracic Backup”? (Poster)
Maechi Uzosike, MS2 Stanford - Effect of Pavlik Harness Treatment on Infant Motor Milestones (Eposter)
Blake Montgomery, MD Resident - Does Univalve Location Differentially Effect Pressures at the Three-Point Mold? (Rapid Fire Presentation)
Dr. Blake Montgomery Awarded OREF Resident Grant
On July 12, 2019, fourth year resident Dr. Blake Montgomery, was awarded the OREF/JRGOS Resident Grant to study, "Healthcare Disparities in Pediatric Fracture Care". The Resident Research Project Grant is a $5,000 research grant awarded to orthopaedic surgery residents that are conducting research in the area of health disparities and diversity in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Montgomery's study seeks to explore if healthcare disparities exist in the treatment and care of pediatric patients with common fractures based on race, ethnicity, and/or socioeconomic status.
Findings may help to determine if healthcare disparities exists in pediatric patients undergoing basic fracture care. If health disparities do exists then this work would pave the way for further studies to determine how best to close a health disparity gap.
Faculty advisor: Dr. Kali Tileston
Congratulations, Dr. Montgomery!
Western States Ultramarathon Study
The Western States Endurance Run is the world’s oldest 100 mile trail race, starting in Squaw Valley, CA and ending in Auburn, CA. In the days leading up to the race, our team collected salivary DNA samples, DXA scans, and blood samples from 47 runners. We plan to use this data in conjunction with a pre-race survey to better understand how nutrition, bone density, genetic markers, and serum biomarkers affect bone stress injury risk and injury rate in ultramarathoners. With this understanding, we aim to develop prevention guidelines that clinicians, coaches, and athletes can follow to improve bone health in this unique population.
A note from Kira Skaggs, summer research medical student from Columbia University:
Helping Dr. Kraus, an avid long-distance runner herself, pursue research in a field that she is passionate about has inspired me to explore the possibility of integrating my passions into my future research and career as a physician. So far, it has been an incredible experience learning about clinical research in Pediatric Orthopaedics!
We look forward to sharing the results of the study soon! Stay tuned.
MCHRI Grant Awarded to Dr. Tileston
Dr. Kali Tileston was one of the recipients of the Maternal Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) '19 Clinician Educator Award in the amount of $35,000. Her study entitled, "The Role of Health Mindset in Adolescents' Compliance with Brace Wear for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis". The purpose of the study is to utilize a previously validated psychological assessment tool to evaluate health mindset among patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing treatment with a brace.
A Reflection from the 2019 Annual Cadaver Lab in Centennial, Colorado
Thank you very much for giving me this incredible opportunity. The experience was not only a learning opportunity but has really motivated me in my journey in medicine. The tissues themselves were so strikingly different from those in my first-year medical school cadaver lab. They were much smaller in size but also differed in texture and appearance. When helping with the dissections and palpating important anatomical landmarks, the tissues felt much more alive and fragile. During medical school anatomy lab, I became so accustomed to taking a scalpel and moving through the dissection manual word by word just to get to the anatomical structures I needed to memorize for the exam. Visualizing, palpating, feeling, and reflecting on the difference in the fresh frozen pediatric sample was strikingly different. I also refreshed on the basic anatomy I had learned during the first year and built up that knowledge with the new anatomy I learned. More impactful for me was learning the significance of the structures and their functions in the larger context of the elbow or knee.
Listening to the AlloSource presentation about the background beyond the tissues brought a whole new perspective on the experience. Hearing the story of the family’s donation in times of such tragedy was inspiring. I thought to myself I was fortunate to be learning from the tissues of children whose lives had been cut tragically short and grateful to the families who decided to help better the world in times of such tragedy. A couple of years back my grandmother passed away and the topic of organ donation was discussed within our family. At the time, I was not as open to organ donation; however, through my experience learning about the impacts of organ donation in my immunology class in medical school, listening to stories of patients who received transplantation, and through the cadaver lab last week, I gained a new perspective on organ donation. I saw the impact it can have directly on individuals that need organ transplants and the indirect impact it can have through research.
Another important learning experience from the cadaver lab was the opportunity to learn from the surgeons. One experience in particular that stuck with me was learning the basic ACL, PCL, meniscus anatomy from Dr. Vandenberg & Dr. Ellis using one of the adult anatomy knees. In a group with many other students, Dr. Vandenberg & Dr. Ellis showed us the insertions points and the stresses that may cause injuries to these structures. Dr. Vandenberg stimulated the stress that can be provided to the ACL that can lead to its stretch and tear. That night while watching the finals basketball game, it was striking to see Klay Thompson put that same stress on his knee in a sudden motion that Dr. Vandenberg was showing us in lab on the cadaver sample. As students we all had an aha moment seeing the mechanism of Klay Thompson’s injury, remembering back to what Dr. Vandenberg & Dr. Ellis had taught us in lab, and learning of Thompson’s ACL tear. I also learned about knee arthroscopy from Dr. Ellis when practicing at the arthroscopy station and CT scans from Dr. Milewski when accompanying him to get the CT scans. I also really appreciated the opportunity to network and have conversations with many different surgeons about their pathways to where they are today. Gaining insight their professional interest, motivations, how they balance their lifestyles, and many other topics were extremely valuable.
Overall, my experience at the cadaver dissection lab was a transformative one. From learning about the tissue samples, the stories behind the donations, the anatomy & significance, the clinical decision-making process of surgeons, and the opportunity to network, I am thankful for this incredible learning experience. From this experience, I am motivated to continue to learn, grow, and evolve.
-Sunny Trivedi, MD Candidate
Not Goodbye, but See You Later.
This month we celebrated the accomplishments of two critical team members, Aleksei Dingel, Clinical Research Coordinator under Dr. Shea, and Eli Cahan, Research Fellow, prior to their departure in May 2019. Both have spent a year on our team, and have played a large role in the success of our research productivity.
Aleksei came from Boise, Idaho originally working with Dr. Shea as a research coordinator, and really tread the path for Dr. Shea's research program at Stanford. Juggling four prospective research registries, implementing a phase 3 investigational randomized controlled trial, in addition to coauthoring several manuscripts/abstracts, it was inspiring to work along her side. We could always count on Aleksei's positive and enthusiatic energy around the office, and will be miss greatly!
Eli Cahan came in and hit the ground running with several project ideas and enthusiam to expand our work in the Health Policy realm, he coauthored on several manuscripts, attended various conferences, wrote grants, and continues his work with us during his Masters program. Thanks for all the work you do for us, Eli!
2019 POSNA Conference
From May 12-16, 2019, the Pediatric Orthopaedic team traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to join Dr. Steven Frick in closing his Presidential term for the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society for North America.
This year, we represented Stanford Medicine with 7 podium and poster presentations on an array of topics. Presentations included:
- Deciding Without Data: Clinical Decision Making in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
- Virtual Reality and Bedside Entertainment and Relaxation Theater Usage in Non-Invasive Pediatric Orthopaedic Procedures
- Autism and Toe-walking: Are they related? Trends and treatment patterns from 2005-2016
- How many clubfoot patients undergo foot or ankle surgery as adults?
- Effect of Pavlik Harness Treatment on Infant Motor Milestones
- Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: Care Practices of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons.
- Race Independently Predicts Unsuccessful Healing of Osteochondritis Dissecans in the Pediatric Knee
Congratulations on a fantastic term, Dr. Frick!
Dr. Emily Kraus and mentee, Paige Skorseth, presenting at 2019 AMSSM
Dr. Kraus and former summer student researcher, Paige Skorseth (MS3 at University of Wisconsin-Madison), presented their respective work at the 2019 Scientific Sessions at American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) in Houston, Texas in April 2019. Paige’s work was featured as a press release at the conference. The research found a high rate of individual Triad risk factors for these athletes, with increased rates of disordered eating, eating disorders, and other related factors. They also found low free T3 was significantly associated with higher Triad risk scores.
Dr. Kraus and Ms. Skorseth submitted a grant at AMSSM-ACSM, and hope to receive funding for continued work on the topic of Female Athlete Triad and Iron Deficiency. Congrats team!
A link to their press release can be found here.
AAOS 2019
Dr Gamble presenting his work at 2019 AAOS Scientific Sessions
PRISM 2019 - Student Attendance
Aleksei Dingel and Alex Karius (summer intern ’18) presenting team’s poster entitled “The Distance Between Tibial Physis and Coronary Ligament: A Pediatric Cadaveric Study” at the 2019 annual PRISM Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
PRISM 2019
Dr. James Gamble presenting his poster entitled, “The Natural History of Type VII All-Epiphyseal Fractures of the Lateral Malleous” at the 2019 annual PRISM Conference
2018 News and Events
Mentoring Day
Dr. Kali Tileston at Hamlin Middle School for the 2018 "STEM the Gender Gap" Mentoring Day
Tileston - Awarded Young Investigator Award at 2018 WOA
Dr Steven Frick - President of POSNA
Dr Frick President of POSNA 2018-2019
POSNA Conference 2018
Dr Vorhies and Tileston awarded POSNA Microgrants to study bracing compliance with scoliosis and clubfoot patients.
Faculty at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America in Austin, TX, where Dr. Frick was installed as President.