Steadman Philippon Research Institute

🌟 Celebrating Dr. Bradley Kruckeberg! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Brad Kruckeberg will be joining the Mayo Clinic in Rochester after completing our sports medicine fellowship program! Dr. Kruckeberg attended Gustavus Adolphus College, where he was a four-year varsity letter winner for the Gustie football team. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Minnesota and worked as a research assistant in the BME department at SPRI between his 3rd and 4th year.  We were honored when Dr. Kruckeberg returned for our fellowship program, where he had the opportunity to gain valuable clinical and operative experience. We are proud of Dr. Kruckeberg's accomplishments and look forward to his continued success! His journey with SPRI has been remarkable, and we can't wait to see what he achieves at the Mayo Clinic! For more information on how to apply for our Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Program, please visit the link below: https://lnkd.in/e6bh6XsJ #congratulations #biomechanics #researcher

🌟 Congratulations to Dr. Mike Rizzo🌟 We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Mike Rizzo will be joining the University of Miami after completing our fellowship program! Dr. Rizzo attended Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS) prior to attending Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude with both a Bachelor of Arts in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.  Dr. Rizzo returned to St. Louis to attend medical school at Washington University in St. Louis. His technical prowess led him to co-found a surgical resident autonomy tracking application called "Zwisch Me!" which has been adopted by over 50 programs across various surgical subspecialties. Dr. Rizzo completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital and was the administrative chief resident, providing care in an area with a high volume of trauma patients. Dr. Rizzo’s passion for technology continues to shape his career. His research efforts are largely focused on integrating new computer technologies to enhance orthopaedic surgical care and education. His dedication has been recognized with the Coulter Grant, awarded for the development of an augmented reality application. We are incredibly proud of Dr. Rizzo's accomplishments and look forward to his future impact on medical technology. Thank you, Dr. Rizzo, for all your hard work and dedication. We wish you the best in your future endeavors with the University of Miami! #orthopaedicinnovation #surgicaleducation #enhancedcare

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Michael Kopolovich 🎉 Dr. Kopolovich will be joining Tri-State Orthopaedics after completion of our orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship program! While earning his Bachelor of Arts in History at Princeton University, Dr. Kopolovich started as a defensive back for four years on the varsity football team, achieving All-Ivy League and Academic All-Ivy League Team Honors. Dr. Kopolovich received his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University. While serving in the United States Air Force, he completed his orthopaedics residency at San Antonio Military Medical Center.  At Langley Air Force Base, Dr. Kopolovich was a general orthopaedic surgeon and served as both the orthopaedic surgery medical director and element leader. He spent time in Saudi Arabia during Operation Spartan Shield, earning the Meritorious Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Humanitarian Service Medal. During his time with us, Dr. Kopolovich has gotten hands-on surgical training, clinical training, and research experience. We’ve been honored to have Dr. Kopolovich at SPRI and can't wait to see what he accomplishes at Tri-State Orthopaedics TRI-STATE ORTHOPAEDICS AND SPORTS MEDICINE INC! To learn more about our sports medicine fellowship program, visit the link below: https://lnkd.in/eQBEAx4M #airforcedoctor #veteran #medicaldirector #employeeappreciation

🌟 Congratulations to Dr. Ajay Kanakamedala! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that Ajay Kanakamedala, MD, will be joining St. Luke’s University Health in Allentown, PA, following his completion of our fellowship program! Dr. Kanakamedala graduated cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis before attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicinewhere he served as co-president of the school's chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. His research in sports medicine led to the publication of multiple book chapters and journal articles on knee ligament reconstruction and shoulder surgery. His exceptional academic performance placed him in the top 4% of his class, and he was honored with the Harold Henderson Sankey, M.D. Award in Orthopaedic Surgery. After receiving his medical degree, Dr. Kanakamedala completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at NYU Langone Health. Throughout his residency, he continued to focus on sports medicine research, publishing multiple textbook chapters and peer-reviewed articles on shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle surgery. His dedication was recognized with multiple awards, including the EOEF Cynthia L. Lichtefeld Resident/Fellow Award for Outstanding Paper, AAOS Orthopaedic Video Theater Award, and Senior Resident Clinical Research Award. We are grateful for Dr. Kanakamedala's invaluable contributions to orthopaedics and wish him continued success in his career with St. Luke's University Health Network! #AlphaOmegaAlpha #AOA #ResearchExcellence

🌟 Celebrating Dr. Ian Backlund 🌟 We are excited to celebrate Dr. Ian Backlund, one of our departing MD fellows Dr. Ian Backlund! After completing a year-long fellowship with The Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Dr. Backlund will be joining Denver Health. Dr. Backlund began his journey in South Carolina, where a significant motocross injury inspired him to pursue a career in orthopaedic surgery. He graduated cum laude from Coastal Carolina University and earned a full scholarship to Medical University of South Carolina.  Dr. Backlund completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Virginia, where he contributed to the development of a single-handed knee aspirator and an ACL tibial guide. During his entire residency, Dr. Backlund was the team physician for the varsity football team at Woodberry Forest School. His dedication to the advancement of orthopaedics led him to our sports medicine subspecialty, where he trained with our world-renowned physicians and research team.  We wish Dr. Backlund all the best at Denver Health and are grateful for his contributions over the past year. Thank you, Dr. Backlund, for your hard work and dedication! #Fellowship #Gratitude #AdvancingMedicine

🎉 Exciting News from SPRI 🎉 This past June, we wrapped up our incredible EPOC Summer Scholars Program! This immersive, week-long STEM course brought together 48 bright students from across Colorado, including Dillon and Basalt. These talented students, ranging from high school juniors and seniors to first or second-year college students, had the opportunity to dive into the world of scientific and clinical research at our state-of-the-art Vail campus.  Throughout the week, students engaged in hands-on activities, conducted their own research, and explored various medical careers alongside our dedicated engineers, scientists, researchers, and clinicians. The week-long program ended with student presentations, a celebratory lunch, and a fun-filled trivia contest. A huge thank you to Patricia McNamara and our amazing staff at SPRI and The Steadman Clinic for making this week a resounding success! Together, we're sparking a passion for STEM in the next generation of scientists 🔬 If you're interested in participating in next summer's program, please review the information on our website at https://lnkd.in/gY-Pj6q6  #clinicalresearch #futuredoctor #scrublife

📸 Exciting Moments from Our EPOC Summer Scholars Program!  Our EPOC Summer Scholars experienced an incredible week filled with hands-on learning and exploration! Here are some highlights from their experience: 🔬 Operating Room Immersion: Our scholars suited up and stepped into the OR for an immersive experience, where they observed the intricate procedures and techniques used by top surgeons.  🤖Hands-On Robotics Lab: Under the guidance of Alex Brady, the students worked in our state-of-the-art robotics lab. They gained invaluable insights into cutting-edge robotic technology and its applications in medicine.  🏌️ Exploring the Golf Lab: Scholars learned about the fascinating intersection of sports and science, discovering how scientific principles are applied to enhance athletic performance and prevent injuries. We are immensely proud of our scholars for their enthusiasm and dedication to advancing their knowledge in science and medicine. Their eagerness to learn and engage with complex subjects is truly inspiring! Stay tuned for more highlights from the EPOC Summer Scholars Program as we continue to foster the next generation of scientists and medical professionals. #robotics #summerlearning #immersiveexperience

🌞Exciting News: EPOC Summer Scholars Program Returns! We are thrilled to announce the return of the EPOC Summer Scholars program, led by Senenne Philippon, Alex Brady, Patricia McNamara and our dedicated SPRI team! This year, we had 48 bright students ranging from high school juniors and seniors to first and second-year college students, including participants from the Dillon and Basalt areas. This unique, week-long immersive STEM course offers an incredible opportunity for students to dive deep into the world of scientific and clinical research. Throughout the week, students: 🧠Interacted with engineers, scientists, researchers, and clinicians at SPRI and The Steadman Clinic 🔬Engaged in hands-on activities and conduct their own research 👩🔬Explored diverse careers in the medical field guided by industry professionals 📊Shared their findings through presentations 🎉Enjoyed a celebratory lunch and trivia content to conclude the program Thanks to the dedication of the entire team at SPRI and The Steadman Clinic, the Summer Scholars program has been successful since its inception in 2018. We look forward to witnessing the exceptional work our Summer Scholars will achieve! #STEM #futurescientists

🌟 SPRI Recap: Tornier/Stryker -- Blueprint Shoulder Arthroscopy Planning 🌟 Last Tuesday, SPRI hosted Tornier for BluePrint software shoulder arthroscopy planning. This advanced tool allows for precise trialing of both anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty implant sizes and positioning. Fellows explored cutting-edge Virtual Reality technology, practicing new intraoperative implant placements aimed at enhancing surgical precision during live procedures. Leslie Vidal, MD,  and Dr. Jonathan Godin were able to provide real-time expert insights into effective planning techniques. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this innovative session, advancing orthopedic knowledge and surgical techniques! #virtualreality #planningtechniques #expertinsights

🏞️ Summer in the mountains exceeds all expectations! 🏞️ One of the highlights of our fellowship program is enjoying activities outside of the clinic and OR. We had an incredible day rafting Clear Creek in Idaho Springs with Dr. Provencher, Dr. Peter J. Millett, fellows, and spouses. A big thank you to Liquid Descent for an amazing experience! #summeradventures #fellowshiplife #teambonding