2024
Orthopedics Journal
Research
Steven Gitelis, MD
Faculty, Fellows & Residents
Faculty and Fellows
Surgery+
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In a large, matched case-control analysis, Brian Forsythe, MD, and other researchers found that patients with multiple shoulder dislocations were more than twice as likely to require revision labral repair.
Repeat Shoulder Dislocations Associated With Revision Labral Repair
Vasili Karas, MD, MS, and co-authors explored the cause of mid-flexion instability that leads to patient dissatisfaction following TKA.
In TKA, Surgical Technique Matters More than Implant Choice
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Podcast
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Rush has a deep commitment to accelerating innovations that bring cutting edge research to the bedside. Two examples of those innovations that Steven Gitelis, MD, and Rush have an active role in developing are 3-D printed models, which can help to preserve healthy tissue when treating benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors, and hybrid cold plasma, which can help stop the recurrence of cancer after surgery.
Rush’s Use of 3-D Printed Models and Hybrid Cold Plasma in Orthopedic Oncology
Faculty, Fellows & Residents
By the Numbers
Case Reports
Podcasts
Research
Vasili Karas, MD, MS
Brian Forsythe, MD
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In a study of 20 runners with chronic proximal hamstring tears, Shane J. Nho, MD, MS, and fellow researchers found that endoscopic repair resulted in an 80% return to running rate.
Endoscopic Repair of Chronic Proximal Hamstring Tears in Runners
Shane Nho, MD, MS
Tibial tubercle osteotomy is an important surgical procedure aimed at correcting patellofemoral malalignment and treating symptomatic conditions such as patellar instability and patellofemoral cartilage damage. Anteromedialization of the tibial tubercle with the Fulkerson osteotomy is widely implemented for its effectiveness in optimizing patellar tracking and reducing patellofemoral contact pressures.
Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy Accuracy: How Can We Improve?
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Adam Yanke, MD, PhD
Podcasts
Case Reports
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Spina bifida is a rare neurological condition that, if uncorrected, may cause chronic valgus knee stress difficulty with independent ambulation and significant pain. Current literature lacks comprehensive guidance on surgically correcting progressive hip and knee deformities in spina bifida patients, which include osteotomy and primary. When these options are contraindicated, alternative approaches such as arthrodesis may be indicated, though they remain understudied in this population.
Alan Blank, MD, MS
Bilateral Knee Arthrodesis and Total Hip Arthroplasty for Knee and Hip Dysplasia Secondary to Spina Bifida
Most muscle herniations go unnoticed by patients and can resolve without any intervention. However, pain, cramping, and cosmetically unappealing swelling associated with them may require surgical intervention. Although surgery is rare, this case describes a pediatric patient who developed a symptomatic, volar forearm herniation following both bone forearm fractures and was treated successfully with fascial defect closure using acellular dermal allograft.
Pediatric Forearm Muscle Herniation Treated With Acellular Dermal Allograft
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Xavier Simcock, MD
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Attending physicians
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Research faculty
Residents
Fellows
Faculty and Fellows
Research
Orthopedic Surgery
Residents
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The Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center is home to the Midwest’s largest team of bone and joint scientists — and an unparalleled training environment for resident physicians and fellows. With surgeons and clinicians partnering with elite laboratory researchers and data scientists, Rush continues to educate future experts and devise new solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
Bone and joint experts trained at Rush, coupled with research advanced in Rush labs, informs orthopedic care around the world. This academic mission is fueled by donors — patients and families committed to helping more people lead active lives, free of pain.
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“[Josh’s] leadership has helped bring the department forward to be nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in orthopedic surgery both clinically and in the research domain.”
— Craig Della Valle, MD
“I have known Howard An since 1999 when I did a spine fellowship with him at Rush. He is a friend and mentor. He has set the standard as a surgeon, researcher, teacher and honorable human being. As you can tell, I admire all things about Howard except for possibly one thing: his golf swing was not very good back in the day. However, I hear that he’s even fixed that one weakness. Howard, happy retirement!”
In the last year, Joshua Jacobs, MD, and Howard An, MD, have retired from clinical practice and transitioned into full-time research roles at Rush. We celebrate their decades of tireless service and dedication to their patients and work and look forward to their continued engagement with Rush.
“Josh has made many outstanding contributions, but in many ways, his greatest contribution may be as a role model of a clinician scientist. His research on the systemic effects of total joint replacement is internationally recognized and extremely unique.
“Josh’s leadership style has always been what I would term as inclusive. His leadership has helped bring the department forward to be nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in orthopedic surgery both clinically and in the research domain. As a leader, he helped us maintain our academic prowess while our clinical productivity exploded over the past two decades.
“I remember when I started in practice, a colleague at another institution advised me that while I had many outstanding partners, if there was one that I should follow as a role model, it should be Josh Jacobs.”
“His contributions to the knowledge we have about implants and their interactions with the body are truly landmark.”
— Tad Gerlinger, MD
“He is an example of a leader who can juggle academics, clinical work, industry and hospital relationships.”
— Vasili Karas, MD, MS
“I trained under Dr. Jacobs as a medical student, and then as a fellow. He taught me to approach orthopedics in a curious and academic way. He is a leader in basic science research but more importantly to me, he is an example of a leader who can juggle academics, clinical work, industry and hospital relationships.”
Vasili Karas, MD, MS
Rush orthopedic surgeon specializing in
hip and knee reconstruction and replacement
Craig Della Valle, MD
Chief of adult reconstruction, Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush
“I have had the privilege of knowing Dr. Jacobs for over 20 years, beginning when I trained under him as a fellow in 2004. He is a gentleman and a scholar, always with time for a question or discussion. His passion for adult reconstruction is infectious. His contributions to the knowledge we have about implants and their interactions with the body are truly landmark.
“It has been distinct honor to train under him and to be his practice partner. His contributions will be long remembered.”
Tad Gerlinger, MD
Rush orthopedic surgeon specializing in
hip and knee replacement and reconstruction
“He is a friend and mentor. He has set the standard as a surgeon, researcher, teacher and honorable human being.”
— Tim Yoon, MD, PhD
“Howard’s leadership and reputation put the Division of Spine Surgery at Rush on the map.”
— Dino Samartzis, DSc
“The greatest lesson I learned from Dr. An is how important family is. Not only to your life outside of surgery but also to your growth within surgery.”
— Dustin H. Massel, MD
“Howard’s leadership and reputation put the Division of Spine Surgery at Rush on the map. I don’t think I’ve ever found anyone who is as knowledgeable about the spine as Howard. We had the best of the best applying for the Orthopedic Spine Surgery Fellowship here because they knew Howard was a good mentor who could provide opportunities to collaborate and do research. He attracted the top people because of his great personality, brilliant mind and consideration for others.
“I would often hear residents and fellows say they wanted to be Howard An, kind of like how people used to say they wanted to be like Michael Jordan. But there’s only one Howard An. He is the quintessential clinical researcher for the spine field. I’m always going to think of him as an icon and as someone people should aspire to be.”
Dino Samartzis, DSc
Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center
Tim Yoon, MD, PhD
Spine surgeon, Emory Healthcare
“Working with Dr. An in the OR and clinic were some of our best experiences at Rush from 2022 to 2023. Some of my favorite cases were completed with my co-fellows, Cam Kia and Karan Patel, or as Dr. An would say, ‘the blind leading the blind.’ He was always heckling us when he had the chance. But he was the most caring leader we had. He always supported us.
“Through careful observation of his techniques, and his critiques of our own, Dr. An carefully honed our operative skills over the course of the year together. He taught us the importance of indications and made sure we understood not only how to operate, but also why.
“Beyond surgical techniques and skills, bedside manner and ‘An-isms,’ beyond review of imaging and careful physical exams, we learned to put the patient first through appropriate indications and treatment plans. However, the greatest lesson I learned from Dr. An is how important family is. Not only to your life outside of surgery but also to your growth within surgery. Dr. An’s care for his wife and family during our fellowship and his consistent care for our fellowship family made him the incredible fellowship leader he was.”
Dustin H. Massel, MD
Spine surgeon, Endeavor Health
Faculty, Fellows & Residents
By the Numbers
Case Reports
Podcasts
Research
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The Rush 2023-24 Orthopedics Journal features the latest advances in clinical care and research in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center.
Welcome From Brian Cole, MD, MBA
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We’d like to thank associate editors, Adam Yanke, MD, PhD, and Xavier Simcock, MD, along with all of the peer reviewers on this year’s journal.
faculty & Residents
by the numbers
case reports
podcasts
Research
The Department of Orthopedic Surgery at RUSH University Medical Center is home to the Midwest’s largest team of bone and joint scientists — and an unparalleled training environment for resident physicians and fellows. With surgeons and clinicians partnering with elite laboratory researchers and data scientists, RUSH continues to educate future experts and devise new solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
Bone and joint experts trained at RUSH, coupled with research advanced in RUSH labs, informs orthopedic care around the world. This academic mission is fueled by donors — patients and families committed to helping more people lead active lives, free of pain.
Support Orthopedics at RUSH
Department of Orthopedic Surgery Residents
Class of 2024
Michael P. Fice, MD
Medical school – Rush Medical College
Tai Holland, MD
Medical school – University of Iowa
Obianuju Obioha, MD
Medical school – University of Pittsburgh
Joseph Serino, MD
Medical school – Georgetown University
Sarah Tepper, MD
Medical school – Washington University
Class of 2025
Vincent Federico, MD
Medical school – University of Florida College of Medicine
John Higgins, MD
Medical school – The Ohio State University
Johnathon McCormick, MD
Medical school – University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Vince Morgan, MD
Medical school – University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Shelby Smith
Medical school – Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Class of 2026
Enrico M. Forlenza, MD
Medical school – Georgetown University
William E. Harkin, MD
Medical school – University of California San Diego School of Medicine
Monique S. Haynes, MD
Medical school – Yale School of Medicine
Conor Jones, MD
Medical school – Weill Cornell Medical College
Caitlin Ward, MD
Medical school – George Washington University
Class of 2027
Alexander J. Acuna, MD
Medical school – Case Western Reserve University
Farhan Ahmad, MD
Medical school – University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio
Morgan Leigh Angotti, MD
Medical school – Rush Medical College
Myles A. Atkins, MD
Medical school – Morehouse School of Medicine
Luis Manuel Salazar, MD
Medical school – University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio
Class of 2028
Alexander Hornung, MD
Medical school – Rush Medical College
Amelia Hummel, MD
Medical school – University of Hawaii - John A. Burns School of Medicine
Kyleen Jan, MD
Medical school – University of Illinois College of Medicine - Rockford
Benjamin Kerzner, MD
Medical school – Rush Medical College
Daniel Shinn, MD
Medical school – Weill Medical College, Cornell University
Class of 2029
Samuel Alfonsi, MD
Medical school – Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Edward Bowen, MD
Medical school – Weill Medical College, Cornell University
Jacob Brooks, MD
Medical school – Ohio State University College of Medicine
Jace Lapierre, MD
Medical school – University of Iowa RJ&L Carver College of Medicine
Austin Roberts, MD
Medical school – West Virginia University School of Medicine
Orthopedic Faculty and Fellows – Surgery +
Adult Reconstructive Surgery
Craig J. Della Valle, MD – Division Director
Omar A. Behery, MD, MPH
Richard A. Berger, MD – Director, Section of Minimally Invasive Joint Surgery
Tad L. Gerlinger, MD – Director, Adult Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Program
Joshua J. Jacobs, MD – Chair Emeritus, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Vasili Karas, MD, MS
Brett R. Levine, MD, MS
Denis Nam, MD, MS
Wayne G. Paprosky, MD
Aaron G. Rosenberg, MD
Scott M. Sporer, MD, MS – Director, Section of Quality and Outcomes
Fellows
Kevin Becker, MD (Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine)
David Christian, MD (Residency: McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University)
Kurtis Carlock, MD (Residency: University of Washington - Seattle)
Matthew Mangini, MD (Residency: San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium)
John Rosenberg, MD (Residency: University of Nebraska)
Spencer Schulte, MD (Residency: William Beaumont Army Medical Center)
Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Surgery
Mark S. Cohen, MD – Division Director
John J. Fernandez, MD
Xavier C. Simcock, MD
Robert W. Wysocki, MD
Hand, Upper Extremity, and Microvascular Fellow
Nathaniel Hinckley, DO (Residency: Mayo Clinic Arizona)
Foot and Ankle Surgery
Daniel D. Bohl, MD
Simon Lee, MD – Division Director; Director, Foot & Ankle Fellowship Program
Johnny L. Lin, MD
Fellow
Paul Weatherby, MD (Residency: The University of Texas Medical Branch)
Neuropsychology
Elizabeth Pieroth, PsyD, ABPP, MPH – Director, Rush Concussion Program
Oncology
Steven Gitelis, MD – Division Director
Alan T. Blank, MD, MS
Matthew W. Colman, MD
Orthopedic Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Divya Agrawal, MD
Madhu K. Singh, MD
Orthopedic Traumatology
Joel C. Williams, MD
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Monica Kogan, MD – Section Director; Director, Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program
Spine Surgery
Frank M. Phillips, MD – Division Director; Section Director, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Howard S. An, MD – Director, Spine Surgery Fellowship Program
Gunnar B. J. Andersson, MD, PhD
Matthew W. Colman, MD
Christopher J. DeWald, MD – Section Director, Spinal Deformity
Edward J. Goldberg, MD
Kim W. Hammerberg, MD
Gregory D. Lopez, MD
Arash J. Sayari, MD
Kern Singh, MD
Fellows
Tristan Fried, MD (Residency: Thomas Jefferson University)
Jonathan Markowitz, MD (Residency: Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York)
Neil Mohile, MD (Residency: Jackson Memorial Hospital)
Sports Medicine, Primary Care
Kathleen M. Weber, MD, MS – Section Director; Director, Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Program
Jeremy A. Alland, MD
Joshua A. Blomgren, DO
Nicole B. Levy, MD
Julia R. Bruene, MD
Leda A. Ghannad, MD
Caitlin Nicholson, MD
John (Jack) Nickless Jr, MD
Fellow
Eda Akyar, MD (Residency: New York Presbyterian-Columbia Family Medicine)
Sports Medicine, Surgery
Nikhil N. Verma, MD – Division Director; Director, Sports Medicine Fellowship Program
Charles A. Bush-Joseph, MD
Jourdan Cancienne, MD
Jorge A. Chahla, MD, PhD
Brian J. Cole, MD, MBA – Acting Chair, Department of Orthopedic Surgery; Section Director, Cartilage Restoration; Associate Chair, Academic Affairs
Brian Forsythe, MD
Grant E. Garrigues, MD
Shane J. Nho, MD, MS, FAOA – Section Director, Young Adult Hip Disease
Gregory P. Nicholson, MD – Section Director, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Adam B. Yanke, MD, PhD – Director, Clinical Research; Associate Director, Rush Cartilage Restoration Center
Fellows
Andrew Bi, MD (Residency: New York University - Langone Health)
Matthew Henriques, MD (Residency: Naval Medical Center San Diego)
Nicholas Lemme, MD (Residency: Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital)
Thomas Moran, MD (Residency: University of Virginia Health System)
José Vega, MD (Residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation)
Shoulder Fellow
Jennifer Kurowicki, MD (Residency: St. Joseph’s Healthcare System/Seton Hall University)
Orthopedic Faculty and Fellows – Research
The Robbins and Jacobs Family Biocompatibility and Implant Pathology Laboratory
Deborah J. Hall, MS – Director, Implant Retrieval Laboratory
Robin Pourzal, PhD – Director, Implant Material Analysis
Thomas M. Turner, DVM
Mathew T. Mathew, PhD (visiting)
Luis G. Mercuri, DDS, MS (visiting)
Biomaterials Laboratory
Nadim J. Hallab, PhD – Director
Anastasia K. Skipor, MS – Manager, Trace Metal Ion Laboratory
Lauryn Samelko, PhD
Computational Biomechanics Laboratory
Hannah J. Lundberg, PhD – Director; Associate Chair, Orthopedic Surgery Research Jonathan Gustafson, PhD – IBTS Fellowship Research Director
Steven Mell, PhD
The Joan and Paul Rubschlager Motion Analysis Laboratory
Markus A. Wimmer, PhD – Director
Philip Malloy, PhD, PT (part-time)
Section of Molecular Medicine
Anna Spagnoli, MD – Director; John W. and Helen H. Watzek Professor; Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics
Jian Huang, PhD
Adrienn Markovics, MD, PhD
Chundo Oh, PhD
Jeffrey P. Oswald, DVM, DACLAM – Section Director, Comparative Research Center Lan Zhao, PhD
Spine Research Laboratory
Nozomu Inoue, MD, PhD – Director
Ana V. Chee, PhD
Alejandro A. Espinoza Orías, PhD – Director, Experimental Biomechanics and 3D Printing Lab
Dino Samartzis, DSc
John T. Martin, PhD
Uruj Zehra, PhD (visiting)
Hanne Albert, PhD (visiting)
The Joan and Paul Rubschlager Tribology Laboratory
Markus A. Wimmer, PhD – Director
Alfons Fischer, PhD (visiting)
John Hamilton, MD, PhD
Erica Ramirez, MS (visiting)
Thomas Schmid, PhD
Catherine Yuh, PhD
Associated Faculty at Rush University Medical Center
Susan Chubinskaya, PhD – Pediatrics, Orthopedic Surgery, and Medicine
Frank Ko, PhD – Anatomy and Cell Biology
Jun Li, MD – Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Carl Maki, PhD – Cell and Molecular Medicine
Anna Plaas, PhD – Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
D. Rick Sumner, PhD – Director, Section of Bone and Cartilage Biology; Chair, Anatomy & Cell Biology
Amarjit S. Virdi, PhD – Anatomy and Cell Biology
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Faculty & Residents
By the Numbers
Case Reports
Podcasts
Research
Bone and joint experts trained at Rush, coupled with research advanced in Rush labs, informs orthopedic care around the world. This academic mission is fueled by donors — patients and families committed to helping more people lead active lives, free of pain.
