MOR joint replacement surgeon, Joshua Jacobs, MD, was elected President of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) at its recent annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois. Jacobs served on ORS' Board of Directors for five years prior to his election. According to Jacobs, ORS "is a complex organization that provides an international forum for the dissemination of rapid developments in orthopaedic research, which may ultimately have a dramatic impact on the diagnosis and treatment of both common and rare musculoskeletal diseases." As president, Jacobs will manage the fiscal and strategic mission of ORS. ORS promotes orthopaedic research, provides mentorship for young researchers, publishes The Journal of Orthopaedic Research, lobbies for increased federal research funding for musculoskeletal diseases and works to increase public awareness of the impact orthopaedics has made on patients' lives.
Also recently inducted into the Knee Society, and an already established member of the U.S. and International Hip Societies (along with Midwest Orthopaedic physicians Jorge Galante, MD, Aaron Rosenberg, MD, and Wayne Paprosky, MD), Jacobs is considered among the elite adult reconstructive orthopaedic surgeons in the world; those who have made significant contributions to the body of orthopaedic research, knowledge, and clinical practice. "It is an honor to be selected for the Knee Society and join my distinguished partners Jorge Galante, MD, and Aaron Rosenberg, MD, in this influential organization," according to Jacobs.
Joint replacement surgery has become so commonplace and accepted by the public over the last 30 years, not much thought is given to the work, science or scientists behind these modern day miracles. There is so much more to joint replacements than meets the eye—so much more which occurs behind the scenes of a typical patient visit or surgical experience. Dr. Jacobs is an orthopaedic clinician and scientist. He is involved in every facet of orthopaedic research, advocacy, and patient care, and is definitely someone you should know.
One of Jacobs' major contributions, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for over 10 years, focuses on the effect an orthopaedic implant has on the surrounding body tissues and distant organs. The study is ongoing and has already yielded novel observations such as the ability for physicians to gauge how well an orthopaedic implant is working via serum and metal blood levels.
An undergraduate degree in Material Science and Engineering from Northwestern University has meshed perfectly with Jacobs' clinical work and research with orthopaedic implants. His knowledge of metallurgy has been helpful in understanding many of the clinical problems developing in individuals with metal implants. Jacobs says of his work, "It is at the interface of medicine and engineering."
In addition to his clinical and research duties, Jacobs is active with various societies and Chairs the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Council on Research, Quality Assessment and Technology. He has met with House Speaker Dennis Hastert and will travel to Washington later this year to advocate for federal policies which promote musculoskeletal health.
Jacobs' work behind the scenes is far from over, yet his impact on patients' lives and in the world of orthopaedics resonates far beyond the walls of MOR's waiting rooms. From his federally funded research to the halls of Congress and to Rush for patient care, Dr. Joshua Jacobs is definitely someone you should know.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jacobs or to learn more about Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, call 877 MD BONES.
