improving patient care
Over the years, the sports medicine program at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has grown to more than 250 employees, including athletic trainers, researchers, neurologists and 10 orthopedic surgeons. With this large and robust group of specialists, it’s no surprise that many members of the sports medicine team have been recognized nationally at industry meetings and conferences.
What may be unexpected, though, is the international recognition Ohio State’s sports medicine has received in recent years.
“While local and regional people may know about the work at Ohio State, participating in international meetings and exchanges helps build that reputation around the world,” says Christopher Kaeding, MD an orthopedic surgeon with the Ohio State sports medicine program. “We’re being recognized for doing some great things.”
International traveling fellowships
In the last few years, Ohio State’s sports medicine team has given more than 75 presentations at international meetings. Their expertise has also been showcased in scientific and cultural exchanges through the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), and the team boasts four selections to international traveling fellowships through the AOSSM.
When establishing these overseas fellowships, AOSSM selects the country’s top orthopedic and sports medicine doctors to represent the U.S. There are three regions where the fellows travel: Latin America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
“The fact that we have four members of our department chosen for the AOSSM U.S. representation is impressive,” Dr. Kaeding says.
The Ohio State doctors who were chosen for these fellowships include:
- Grant Jones, MD – Selected for a fellowship in Latin America through the Latin American Society of Knee Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine (SLARD)
- David Flanigan, MD – Selected for a fellowship in Europe through the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA)
- Robert Magnussen, MD – Selected for a fellowship in Asia-Pacific through the Asia-Pacific Knee, Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Society (APKASS)
- Dr. Kaeding – Selected for a fellowship in Asia-Pacific through APKASS
During the traveling fellowships, the doctors spend three to four weeks visiting sports medicine sites in the region’s major cities where they observe practices and collaborate with other orthopedic and sports medicine professionals.
In addition to these fellowships, Ohio State’s shoulder team also traveled to Osaka and Tokyo, Japan as visiting professors.
Worldwide leadership positions
Beyond the fellowships with AOSSM, several members of Ohio State’s sports medicine team have also been chosen for leadership positions around the world. These positions allow Ohio State doctors to lead and participate in meetings that are focused on the latest research and treatment being used by sports medicine doctors around the world.
“It’s good to have that exchange of ideas and those conversations with international colleagues,” Dr. Kaeding says.
Some of the international leadership positions with Ohio State representation include:
- Dr. Jones – President-elect of International Magellan Society Executive Board; honorary member of SLARD
- Dr. Magnussen – Chair of the International Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Study Group Scientific Committee
- Dr. Kaeding – President of International ACL Study Group; committee member for International Society for Arthroscopy, Knee and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine traveling fellowship
Ohio State sports medicine doctors have also participated as guest lecturers around the world, including speaking events with:
- Peruvian National Orthopaedic Surgery
- Chilean Orthopaedic Society
- Argentinian Orthopaedic Society
- APKASS
- Australian Knee Society
- Brazilian Orthopaedic Society
While the international travel and fellowships have helped grow recognition for the Ohio State sports medicine program, Dr. Kaeding says they are also hoping to host more international fellows back home in Ohio. In addition to being a host site for traveling fellows from Latin America, Dr. Kaeding says the team is working on inviting an international research fellow to join the sports medicine program in the future. Ideally, the fellow would be able to work alongside the Ohio State team to build skills as well as spend time doing research.
“We’re hoping this international work will help enhance Ohio State’s reputation and help the public see that we are truly leaders in the field of orthopedics and sports medicine,” Dr. Kaeding says.
