Case for Support
A New Era for Orthopaedics. Powered by You.
The Future of Orthopaedics A Letter from Our President and Chair
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hen musculoskeletal pain strikes, its effects aren’t limited to a single bone, muscle, or ligament—it impacts every step, every action, every facet of a person’s life. It’s a unique type of pain that lingers and spreads, diminishing your quality of life and changing what it means to feel “normal.” In these moments when musculoskeletal pain won’t quit, you don’t want just any orthopaedic practice—you want the best. That is why, in these moments, more patients choose Rothman Orthopaedics at Jefferson Health than any other program. We don’t simply want to get our patients back to normal. We want to get them back to better—living without pain, adjustment, or compromise. This is our mission, our passion, and our promise. And it’s made possible by the support of generous benefactors like you.
A Perfect Partnership Rothman Orthopaedics at Jefferson Health merges one of the nation’s top five clinical practices with one of the best and most robust foundational science programs in the field. The result—a bench-to-bedside pipeline of innovative new treatments that is unmatched by any other program. We are now one of the top centers around the globe for musculoskeletal research and a sought-after destination for specialized training and education. By nearly any measure, Rothman Orthopaedics at Jefferson Health is unparalleled. Philanthropic support is central to our non-profit research and education missions.
You Make the Difference For nearly 50 years, we have been pushing boundaries and inventing better ways of training specialists and healing patients. Philanthropy is the driving force behind our efforts, providing the support necessary to find bold solutions to modern medicine’s biggest challenges. By investing in research and education you place the next level of understanding, prevention, and treatment within our reach. You empower us to attract the best and brightest to our institution and to better train the future leaders of the discipline. And, in doing so, you give hope to countless patients who benefit from your generosity.
This is the future of orthopaedic care, and it’s powered by you.
Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD, PhD, MBA
Richard H. Rothman Professor and Chair, Orthopaedic Surgery President, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Co-Director, Spinal Cord Injury Center Co-Chief, Spine Surgery 3
Expert Care for Every Joint and Limb Hand & Wrist Our hand specialists have more than 50 years of collective clinical experience treating problems of the hand and wrist, including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, tendonitis, arthritis, fractures, nerve compression, peripheral nerve damage, athletic injuries, trauma, and elective surgeries.
Shoulder & Elbow Our Shoulder and Elbow Program provides highly specialized care to those experiencing arm pain and pioneers advances in shoulder repair and replacement.
Spine Our spine team performs a variety of highly specialized procedures to treat problems resulting from degeneration of the cervical and lumbar discs, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal deformity, tumors, trauma, and instability.
Hip Our Hip Replacement Program is one of the nation’s most experienced, averaging over 3,500 procedures per year.
Foot & Ankle Our team of internationally renowned surgeons and podiatrists treat thousands of foot and ankle injuries every year, offering an array of surgical and non-operative solutions to get our patients back on their feet faster.
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Knee Our knee replacement specialists perform more than 5,000 surgeries each year on average, among the most in the nation, and provide the full range of procedures, from reconstruction to partial and total joint replacement.
At the Top of Our Game Rothman Orthopaedics at Jefferson Health is internationally recognized for excellence in orthopaedic research and care. Here are just a few reasons why we are at the top of our game.
The only orthopaedic group in the country to act as team physicians for all four major professional sports teams in one city—the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, Flyers & 76ers
#1 institution in the world for spine research Consistently ranked among the top 5 orthopaedic programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
WORLD LEADER in hip and knee replacements, by volume
Rothman Orthopaedic Specialty Hospital ranks #1 in Surgical Care and Patient Satisfaction
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From the Ground Up A New Research Approach is Taking Orthopaedics to New Heights
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esearch is the bedrock of orthopaedic medicine, responsible for the modern clinical tools and procedures that rebuild countless lives every day. Its importance cannot
be overstated—today’s discoveries fuel tomorrow’s clinical innovations. And Rothman Orthopaedics at Jefferson Health is the undisputed leader in the field of orthopaedic research.
A Bold New Frontier Traditionally, orthopaedic research has focused on correcting the mechanical causes of musculoskeletal pain—replacing damaged tissues with healthy ones, implanting prostheses, and setting broken bones. This mechanical approach has taken us to great heights, but we are pursuing a new angle that will take us far beyond. At Rothman and Jefferson, our world-renowned researchers are studying musculoskeletal challenges at the molecular and cellular level. These discoveries are powering new innovations and cellular therapies designed to target pain at its biological source, addressing both the mechanical symptoms of orthopaedic conditions and their underlying physiological causes. In doing so, it is our ultimate vision to make enduring challenges like chronic back pain, infection, excessive scarring and fibrosis a thing of the past. We are boldly going where no one has gone before, and, in the process, launching orthopaedic research into the 21st century.
The Need for Philanthropy With a rapidly aging baby boomer population, the burden of musculoskeletal disorders is skyrocketing. However, we live at a time when traditional sources of research funding are becoming increasingly scarce. In 2017, only 1.69% of the NIH’s total funding was distributed in support of orthopaedic-related research. In order to reach the next frontier of orthopaedic care, philanthropy is essential. Your generosity unlocks the next discovery, propelling new treatments from the bench to the bedside.
You are the difference. You make it possible. 7
Philanthropic Opportunities to Advance Orthopaedic Research We are home to the world’s foremost experts who are leading a wide range of laboratory studies that address the biggest challenges in modern orthopaedics. Philanthropic support is critical to our efforts, providing the flexible funding necessary to seed new research projects, create
state-of-the-art
facilities,
recruit
distinguished
researchers and staff, and so much more. There is no limit to what your generosity can do. Support for the Orthopaedic Research Endowment Fund will accelerate all of our most promising research, and targeted funding can advance a specific research area that has a special meaning for you. You have the power to fundamentally transform the future of orthopaedic care—now and in perpetuity.
Support the Areas of Greatest Impact Our Division of Orthopaedic Research is home to three unparalleled, world-class research programs tackling the most challenging and complex issues in the field today: Spine, Fibrosis, and Infection. By supporting our efforts, you empower our research team to rapidly translate their discoveries into clinical advances that markedly improve patient outcomes. You bring us closer to eradicating some of the most pervasive conditions in modern healthcare. And you give hope to countless individuals who have endured these conditions for far too long.
Spine One in ten individuals worldwide experiences lower back pain—740 million people. Currently, invasive surgery is the only cure for chronic lower back pain, but it is viable in just 5% of all cases. The remaining 95% of sufferers must rely solely on analgesics and prescription opioids for relief. Of all the conditions in modern orthopaedics, unraveling the disease process of back pain will have the greatest societal impact. 8
Makarand V. Risbud, PhD, and Irving M. Shapiro, BDS, PhD, are world leaders in the study of the intervertebral disc, a complex structure that separates vertebrae and permits motion. It is also a common source for lower back and neck pain. Their studies are critical to developing interventional strategies aimed at stopping disc breakdown, maintaining the disc’s structural integrity, mitigating back and neck pain and, ultimately, preventing pain entirely.
Infection Even with modern antibiotics and cutting-edge surgical techniques, infections remain a pervasive and critical challenge in orthopaedics. No matter how skilled or careful the surgeon, infection will occur in 5-7% of all patients who undergo orthopaedic surgery. Accordingly, it is crucial that new approaches are developed to better treat and prevent these complications. Noreen Hickok, PhD, is investigating innovative new methods of creating antibacterial implants. Research highlights include: implanting hardware that is pre-loaded with antibiotics; using soft materials that are loaded with antimicrobial compounds; using light-activated therapy
Unlock the Full Potential of Our Path-Breaking Research Efforts The
unique
bench-to-bedside
infrastructure
of
Rothman Orthopaedics at Jefferson Health has opened novel avenues of study across a broad range of fields, including osteoarthritis, bone biology, and regenerative medicine, to name a few. It is our vision to strengthen and expand these research efforts to the level and prestige of our Spine, Fibrosis, and Infection programs. Philanthropy is the driving force that would enable us to do so, providing the support necessary to launch proof-of-concept studies, recruit additional leaders to our research team, and accelerate the translation of scientific breakthroughs into new therapies and treatments. Current research highlights include: •
Theresa Freeman, PhD, has discovered that reducing cartilage damage immediately after injury can dramatically slow the development of
that could be used during an operation to reduce the risk of infection; activating antibiotics via ultrasound; and exploring how the microbiome—the ecosystem of microorganisms that our bodies contain—contributes to arthritis and the need for orthopaedic surgery.
Fibrosis Fibrosis—or excessive scarring—is an all-too-common disorder affecting patients who have undergone orthopaedic surgery. Following knee injury or knee replacement surgery, for instance, arthrofibrosis can cause a painful and debilitating condition known as stiff knee for up to 10% of all patients. It occurs as a result of the production of excessive scar tissue and can affect almost all areas of the body. And, when it strikes, there is currently no prophylactic intervention available to treat fibrosis. Andrzej Fertala, PhD, is collaborating with surgeons to pioneer bold new ways to block excessive collagen production, prevent abnormal scarring, and improve recovery for orthopaedic patients.
osteoarthritis. She is studying methods to reduce this early damage by decreasing cell death and lowering the production of inflammation-causing proteins. •
Ryan Tomlinson, PhD, is focused on identifying novel mechanisms that augment bone strength and induce the rapid repair of skeletal fractures—one of the most prevalent and costly medical issues in the United States.
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Rowena McBeath, MD, PhD, is working to develop new cellular or molecular therapies to treat tendinosis—a degenerative condition affecting tendons and their insertion into bone—and other conditions that cause bone and joint pain.
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George Feldman, PhD, is to improve early detection Developmental Dysplasia of debilitating condition related the femur.
investigating ways and treatment of the Hip (DDH), a to malformation of
Back to the Future I
n the 1985 sci-fi classic Back to the Future, Doc Brown famously said, “Where we’re going, we don’t need
roads.” The same can be said of Rothman Orthopaedics at Jefferson Health. We are forging ahead, exploring new avenues previously unimagined and reshaping the future of orthopaedics as a result. To sustain our proud tradition of innovation, it is pivotal that we instill future generations of physicians and scientists with the unparalleled skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and passion for discovery that only Jefferson and Rothman Orthopaedic Institute can provide. As a home to the world’s foremost experts in the field, we are a soughtafter destination for specialized education and training. Year after year, philanthropy plays an increasingly critical role in establishing forward-thinking training programs, attracting the best and brightest to our institution, and creating more opportunities for physicians and earlycareer researchers to launch their illustrious careers. It accelerates the future of the discipline, empowering our team to mold leaders who will not simply push the boundaries of orthopaedic care—but redefine those boundaries entirely.
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Philanthropic Opportunities in Support of Education Establish an Endowed Professorship Endowed professorships are one of the highest honors in academic medicine, held by the most distinguished scholars, clinicians, and scientists in the field. They strengthen our ability to recruit and retain the brightest minds in healthcare, and are designed for benefactors to leave a lasting impact on their program of choice.
Create an Endowed Fellowship Innovation in the health sciences depends on the constant exchanges between prominent physicians, researchers, and future leaders of the discipline. For residents and fellows, the beginning of a distinguished career often involves specialized training and research opportunities.
At a Glance
Novel Resident Research Projects Philanthropic support stimulates authentic research opportunities for our residents, with real-
As one of the nation’s top destinations for orthopaedic training and research, our fellowship slots are highly sought and competitive. By establishing an endowed fellowship, you can give aspiring surgeons and researchers an unparalleled opportunity to jumpstart their distinguished careers at our institution.
world impact. Below is a list of selected projects by residents in Jefferson’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. •
Future
Surgery
after
Revision
Shoulder
Arthroplasty: The Impact of Unexpected Positive Cultures •
Patterns of Collagen-rich Deposits in Peripheral Nerves in Response to Injury: A Pilot Study in a Rabbit Model
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MRI to Arthroscopy in the Elbow: Thrower’s Elbow and Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury
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Development and Evaluation of a Preoperative Risk Calculator for Periprosthetic Joint Infection
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The Agility Total Ankle Arthroplasty: A MidTerm Follow-up Outcome Study
Support the Jerome M. Cotler, MD ’52 Resident Education Fund Dr. Jerome M. Cotler was the co-founder of Jefferson’s Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley and previously served as vice chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. This fund was created to honor Dr. Cotler’s commitment to providing new generations of residents with the most comprehensive and advanced medical training opportunities available. Gifts to this fund support orthopaedic surgery residents and their participation in research and other scholarly work.
How an Endowment Works Endowments are a cornerstone of academic medicine, providing the financial strength and stability that enables Rothman Orthopaedics at Jefferson Health to maintain its excellence both in delivering a high-quality education and in leading path-breaking advances from the bench to the bedside. They provide a permanent source of support for the work of our most distinguished researchers, physicians, educators, and residents. And they serve as a lasting tribute to the benefactor, establishing a legacy that will span generations and touch the lives of countless doctors, patients, and families.
01 Benefactor makes a gift to Jefferson and decides to endow it for a specific purpose
02 The gift is invested by “buying shares� in Jefferson’s pooled investment fund
03 The amount of earned income available is based on the current spending policy
04 Earnings are distributed monthly and directed to the purpose of the gift
05 Principal continues to grow in perpetuity, resulting in increased earnings each year
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This is Giving Philanthropy Heals. You Make the Difference.
We are steadfast in our mission to make a better world for patients and families affected by musculoskeletal conditions. But without visionary benefactors to power innovative and forward-thinking programs, they are likely to remain merely big ideas—tantalizingly out of reach for physicians and patients alike. You are the difference. With a gift to support orthopaedic research or education, you put the next breakthrough, the next treatment within reach. You create a legacy that will inspire future patients and physicians. You give people hope. With the brightest minds, boldest ideas, and a reputation for nextgeneration and compassionate care, we are uniquely poised to make the most of your philanthropic investment, quickly transforming your generosity into tangible medical successes. An investment in Rothman Orthopaedics at Jefferson Health is an investment in our patients. Thank you for helping them achieve the best possible quality of life.
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TO LEARN MORE,
CONTACT Christopher Ahearn Assistant Vice President of Development, Orthopaedics Office of Institutional Advancement Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health (o) 215-503-8862 (c) 267-693-4587 christopher.ahearn@jefferson.edu
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