After a fantastic insight into the world of multi-trauma and clinical trials at the Shock Trauma Centre in Baltimore, the BORS-BJR Travelling Fellows embarked on the next leg of their North American tour. The journey continued in New York City, where the fellows were warmly welcomed by the team at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). This part of the fellowship was filled with another great visit and personal celebrations, including Tim H’s birthday, which added a special touch to the trip.
Day 1: Immersed in Innovation at HSS
The fun in New York kicked off before our visit really started, with a memorable dinner at the brilliantly colourful (and very reasonably priced) Panna II Garden Indian Restaurant in the East Village. Vegetarians and carnivores, spice lovers and those more chilli-adverse alike, were all left very satisfied!
The fellows’ first day at HSS began with a warm welcome from Helen Lopez at the HSS Education Institute. They were then introduced to an exhausted but enthusiastic on-call resident, Billy Kim, who kindly showed them around the hospital, highlighting its key features, including the VIP wing with stunning views of the East River. This set the tone for the day and a whirlwind tour to come!
The morning continued with a tour of the Zhao Lab, led by Craig Klinger at the HSS Research Institute. The fellows were impressed by the cutting-edge research and innovative approaches being developed in the lab, including a fascinating project investigating the role of haematoma in bone repair. This was followed by additional time with Craig, who provided a summary of the broad range of other ongoing research projects, including CT imaging of osteoporosis and osteopenia, as well as quantitative MRI analysis of arterial supply in the femur.
After an engaging morning, the fellows enjoyed a lunch break in the New York sunshine. Suddenly, the bitter cold of Chicago and Iowa seemed a world away!
The afternoon was equally absorbing, starting with a meeting with the ARJR Implant Longevity Group. The discussions were insightful, focusing on the latest advancements in implant technology and longevity.
The day concluded with visits to the Leon Root, MD, Motion Analysis Laboratory and the HSS Sim Learning Lab. These visits showcased the state-of-the-art facilities and the commitment to advancing orthopaedic care through innovative research and education. Tim L was particularly envious of the amazing cadaveric lab where residents were empowered to perfect surgical approaches and techniques before embarking on real surgery on patients. The HSS residents are fortunate to have such fantastic support.
The day ended with a delightful dinner with HSS faculty, including Dr. Jonathan Vigdorchik, Dr. Eytan Debbi, Dr. Michael Ast, and Dr. Amar Ranawat, at Campagnola. The dinner was not only a culinary delight but also a chance to build lasting professional relationships. Tim H was particularly enthusiastic about the seafood tower, which he rated ‘chef’s kiss’.
Day 2: Exploring Biomechanics and Celebrating Milestones
The second day at HSS began with the Biomechanics Conference at the HSS Dana Centre. The fellows were captivated by the presentations and discussions, which provided a comprehensive overview of the latest research in biomechanics. This was followed by an OR observation session, offering a unique opportunity to witness the application of cutting-edge techniques in a clinical setting. Again, Tim L was in awe of the efficiency and resources available to the HSS surgeons, ensuring they perform the best surgery possible.
After a morning of learning and observation, the fellows enjoyed lunch before diving into the Biomechanics Program at the HSS Dana Center. The program was intensive and informative, covering a wide range of topics and providing valuable insights into the field of biomechanics. Ryan and Hattie proved to be great test subjects!
Tim H and Ryan took the opportunity to visit Dr Dana Orange at Rockefeller University, after an email introduction by Professor Richard Miller in Chicago. A lively and inspirational discussion followed on cartilage damage and repair, as well as the roles played by the intersection of fibroblasts and nerve invasion, leaving Tim H and Ryan with plenty of new ideas.
As the day drew to a close, the fellows reflected on their time at HSS, grateful for the knowledge they had gained and the connections they had made. The evening was a special one, as they celebrated Tim H’s birthday in the vibrant city of New York over some world-class Mexican food, making it a memorable highlight of the trip.
Journey to Boston: A Day of Learning and Exploration
The next day, the fellows gingerly travelled to Boston ahead of the final stop of the 2025 tour: Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). MGH Neurologist and AI expert Dr James Hillis kindly hosted day 1. The day began with a meeting and tour of MGH, including the renowned Ether Dome, a pivotal site in the development of early surgical and anaesthetic methods. The day’s theme focused on translating research from the benchtop to the bedside, with the fellows fortunate to meet various speakers with impressive entrepreneurial experience. This included Dr Jarrel Seah, Neuroradiology Fellow and Associate Director of Clinical AI with Harrison.ai and Dr Marc Succi, Executive Director of the MESH Incubator at Mass General. One incredible statistic mentioned was that 0.1% of all MGH employees have returned at least $50m in revenue from innovations to the MGH system. Incredible!
After lunch, the fellows travelled to Assembly Row, indulging in a must-try cannoli at Mike’s Pastries. The afternoon sessions included a discussion with Chris Bridge from the Quantitative Translational Imaging in Medicine Laboratory, as well as a broader career discussion. The day concluded with a session featuring Jared Conley, Associate Director of the MGH Healthcare Transformation Lab, which focused on the future of healthcare and the role of innovation, particularly in healthcare delivered outside the hospital (hospital-at-home).
British Orthopaedic Research Society 