As I reflect on the department’s many accomplishments, milestones, and moments of inspiration, I am both humbled and energized by all we have achieved over the last six months — and even more excited about what lies ahead. It is a privilege to share these highlights with you in this summer edition of Breaking News. Our momentum continues to build, fueled by the passion, talent, and collaboration of our faculty, residents, alumni, and partners across Nebraska and beyond.
This issue honors the legacy of Dr. Benjamin Ogden, whose extraordinary orthopaedic artwork now graces our department as a tribute to his talent, friendship, and uncompromising pursuit of excellence. We also remember Dr. Nicholas Aberle, whose generosity of spirit and commitment to patient care will be remembered by all who knew him.
We celebrate our graduating residents—five individuals who have completed rigorous training and are advancing to prestigious fellowship programs. Their scholarship, curiosity, and clinical skill embody the very heart of our mission. Likewise, our incoming residents and a new adult reconstructive surgery fellow represent the promising future of orthopaedics at UNMC.
In this edition, you will find compelling examples of research and innovation that are pushing the boundaries of musculoskeletal care. From the pioneering work of NeAT Surgical and the introduction of new revision knee instruments to our leadership in the national PIKASO trial exploring metformin’s role in preventing post-ACL osteoarthritis – our department is not just participating in progress, we are driving it.
Our department is also helping the national conversation around opportunities in education. A recent resident appointment to the ACGME Review Committee, the growth of our local RJOS chapter, and the continued success of the Sports Medicine Research Fellowship all underscore our unwavering commitment to leadership, mentorship, and advancing opportunity in orthopaedics.
We are incredibly proud of the outstanding care our providers and clinical staff deliver each day—care that helped us earn the distinction of being ranked #1 hospital for orthopaedic care in Nebraska and among the top 10% nationwide in orthopaedic care by U.S. News & World Report again. This national recognition is further complemented by individual honors within our team, including several members recognized by Nebraska Medicine during Nurses Week and the Press Ganey Patient Voice Award presented to one of our providers. These achievements are well-deserved and a testament to the compassion and excellence that define our clinical practice.
Finally, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our alumni, supporters, and friends. Your generosity is not only sustaining our work – it is propelling us into a future of bold possibilities. Together, we will continue to innovate, educate, and elevate the standard of care. I invite you to stay connected, remain engaged, and be inspired by the life-changing work happening in Nebraska – an impact that is reaching patients and communities far beyond our state.
Warm regards,
Kevin L. Garvin, MD
Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation
University of Nebraska Medical Center