C-STORM is an in-depth bench to bedside orthopaedic experience for outstanding undergraduates or medical students from groups traditionally under-represented in orthopaedic surgery. The program goals are to provide a rich mentorship experience and exposure to cutting-edge scientific research and clinical care, and to prepare students from under-represented groups for a career as orthopaedic clinician-scientists.

Co-Founders Dianne Little, DVM, PhD, and Grant Garrigues, MD, working alongside the Department of Orthopaedics Chair, Ben Alman, MD, are pleased to announce the recipient for the 2016-2017 year, Mohammed Omer. Mohammed is currently a third-year student at Duke, and has been awarded the one-year research and clinical fellowship.

Congratulations!

Honoring Dr. James Urbaniak, Virginia Flowers Baker Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in the Duke University School of Medicine, and valued mentor to the fellows and residents who trained under Dr. Urbaniak.

We are pleased to announce that the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) has partnered with Dr. Urbaniak to raise funds to support research in the areas of regenerative medicine and cellular therapies.

Research Focus: Mesenchymal stem cells have been isolated from most tissues including bone marrow and adipose tissue. The prospects are exciting for using these progenitor and multipotential stem cells to aid in musculoskeletal ( soft tissue, cartilage and bone) repair and regeneration.

Research Goal: This OREF-funded research will advance the development of regenerative medicine, cellular, and pharmaceutical therapy in basic research laboratory and clinical trials to determine the efficacy and safety of these therapies alone, or in combination with standard reconstructive surgical procedures ( e.g. repair of athletic injuries of muscle and cartilage, osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis of bone).

View the brochure here.

The 64th Annual Meeting of the Piedmont Orthopedic Society at The Sanctuary in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, May 11-14, 2016, was a great success by all standards. The attendees are thankful for the efforts and organization of all aspects of the meeting by our co­chairs Greg and Mary Mac Motley and Frank and Karen Aluisio. The Sanctuary provided a superb venue for the scientific program and a variety of social events.

The meeting was attended by 94 members along with spouses, guests, and 62 children, with a grand total of 242 in attendance. Highlights from the meeting included a memorable lecture on “41 and Still Counting” by our Guest of Honor, Dr. Jim Nunley, who was accompanied by his lovely wife, Elise. The humorous and acuminous introduction of Dr. Nunley by Steve Poletti entertained everyone in the audience, including many of Jim Nunley’s family.

Recipients of the scientific awards were: the coveted Chair’s Award-Steve Poletti; the Honored Piedmont Pitcher Award-Matt Chapman; the “prestigious” Kelley Award-Ben Alman; Minotaur Award-Keith Berend, Longest Travel-Michael Hayes. Three of the five recipients were indeed proud of their recognition.

The meeting provided education on current orthopaedic topics and great fun for everyone. The resort activities included golf, tennis, skeet shooting, fishing, swimming in the ocean and pools, and dancing and singing with the “All In One” band until midnight at the Saturday night formal. As always, the Piedmont Orthopedic Society is not an Annual Meeting to miss.

Next year’s Annual Meeting will be held at the Cloister in Sea Island, Georgia, hosted by Dick and Beth Moore and Dean and Donna Sotereanos, May 10-14, 2017. Put this on your calendar today!

Please enjoy photos from this year’s meeting below: