UMOA-Sponsored Awards

The Mizzou Distinguished Orthopedic Alumni Award

Established in 2024 by the leadership of the Association, this award recognizes professional and academic achievement by a graduate of the University of Missouri Orthopedic Residency Program.

Dr. Joe Morgan
2024 Award Winner

Barry J. Gainor Humanitarian Service Award

In honor of his decades of service to people around the world, the University of Missouri Department of Orthopaedic Surgery leadership established the "Barry J. Gainor Humanitarian Service Award" on April 29, 2022, which will be presented annually to an individual who embodies Dr. Gainor's model of service to humanity.

Dr. Don & Sabine Moore
2024 Award Winners

As co-founders of the "Be the Change" foundation, Drs. Cristi and Jimi Cook are joint recipient of the 2023 award in recognition of their leadership of this volunteer that builds primary schools in remote areas of resource-scant nations.

Drs. Crist & Jimi Cook — Drs. Cristi & Jimi Cook
2023 Award Winners

Sumit Gupta, MD - 2022

Litton Award

Established in 2000 by Jeffrey Anglen, MD, this award is given to the graduating resident(s) who best exemplify the professionalism and academic excellence that defined Lynn O. Litton, MD—“A genuine and sincere concern for patients, commitment to the highest patient care standards, respect and consideration of co-workers, and a balance of priorities in life.” PGY2, 3, and 4 residents select the graduating resident recipient(s) who best exemplify the qualities Dr. Litton defined. The award includes $500 from the Litton Endowment.

Devin St. Clair, MD - 2023
Morgan Moon, MD - 2022
Christopher Loftis, MD and Ryan Schell, MD - 2021
Paul Hutchinson, MD - 2020
Tyler Surma, MD - 2019
B. Israel Yahuaca, MD - 2018
Blake Peterson, MD - 2017
David Tager, MD - 2016
Nicholas Capito, MD - 2015
Shaun Steeby, MD 2014
Santaram Vallurupalli, MD 2013
Matthew Jones , MD 2012
Alan G. Anz, MD, 2011
Daniel Babbel, MD - 2010
Dominic Patillo, MD - 2009
David Greenberg, MD - 2008
Matthew Barrett, MD - 2007
Eric Moghadamian, MD - 2006
Matt Smith, MD - 2005
Thomas Aleto, MD - 2004
Jeff Hoskins, MD - 2003
Kelly Hendricks, MD - 2002
Timothy Burd, MD - 2001
Robert Sharpe, MD - 2000

All Litton Award Winners

Olson Award

Established in 1994 by Steve Olson, MD, this award acknowledges a resident with exemplary research accomplishments. Department leadership select the recipient, and the award includes $500 from the Olson Resident Research Account.

Lasun Oladeji, MD, PhD
2024 Award Winner

Michael Ewing, MD - 2023
Troy Pashuck, MD - 2022
Mark Lambrechts, MD - 2021
Jayson Johnson, MD - 2020
B. Todd Raines, MD - 2019
Alex Wessel, MD - 2018
Blake Peterson, MD - 2017
Julia Nuelle, MD - 2016
Nicholas Capito, MD - 2015
Michael Gallizzi, MD - 2014
Santaram Vallurupalli, MD - 2013
Matthew Jones, MD - 2012
Michael Hughes, MD - 2011
Jeffrey Lehmen, MD - 2010
Jason Lowe, MD - 2009
Michael Hughes, MD - 2008
Bradley Crow, MD - 2007
Matthew Barrett, MD - 2006
Peter Kazmier, MD - 2005
David Greenberg, MD - 2005
Thomas Aleto, MD - 2004
Brad Crow, MD - 2003
Rick White, MD - 2003
Tim Burd, MD - 2002
Kevin Marberry, MD - 2001
Kent Lowry, MD - 2000
Eldin Karaikovic, MD - 1999
Tim Burd, MD - 1998
Brian P. Conroy, MD - 1997
Eric S. Malicky, MD - 1997
K. David Moore, MD - 1996
Frank Moussa, MD - 1995
Steve Aposteles, MD - 1994

All Olson Award Winners

Barry J. Gainor, MD, Resident Award in Teaching

Established in 1998 by Gregory L. Hummel, MD, and his wife, this award honors Barry Gainor, MD. Dr. Gainor has been a consistent yeoman in all aspects of the educational program at the University of Missouri. He is recognized as a superb teacher, not only in didactic sessions, but also in the clinics and operating room. Junior residents (PGY1 and PGY2) vote to select the senior resident (PGY4 or PGY5) who demonstrates the best teaching qualities and abilities and most exemplifies Dr. Gainor. The award includes $500 from the Hummel Endowment for Educational Purposes.

Matthew Resnick, MD — Mathew Resnick, DO
2024 Award Winner

Brad Spence, MD - 2023
Morgan Moon, MD - 2022
Ryan Schell, MD - 2021
Josh Karlin, MD - 2020
Chris James, MD - 2019
B. Israel Yahuaca, MD - 2018
Blake Peterson, MD - 2017
Khalid Waliullah, MD - 2016
Joseph Morgan, MD - 2015
Clay Nuelle, MD - 2014
Santaram Vallurupalli , MD - 2013
Adam Crawford , MD 2012
Alan G. Anz, MD - 2011
Daniel Babbel, MD - 2010
Jason Lowe, MD - 2009
Jason Lowe, MD - 2008
John Douglas Haltom, MD - 2007
Eric Moghadamian, MD - 2006
Kevin Marberry, MD - 2005
Jeffrey Hoskins, MD - 2004
Kelly Hendricks, MD - 2003
Tim Burd, MD - 2002
James Edwards, MD - 2002
Brian Conroy, MD - 2001
Byron R. Bus Tarbox, MD - 2000
Frank Moussa, MD - 1999
Steve Stokesbary, MD - 1998

All Gainor Resident Award Winners

MOI Nursing Administration Award for Outstanding Orthopaedic Resident

Established in 2014 by Angela Story, RN, MSN, MOI Director of Nursing 2012-2019, this award recognizes a senior orthopaedic resident (PGY4 or PGY5) who exemplifies outstanding interdisciplinary communication, patient- and family-centered care, collaboration, and the principles of professionalism. MOI nursing staff and the MOI Director of Nursing select the recipient.

Devin St. Clair, MD - 2023
Morgan Moon, MD - 2021 & 2022
Ryan Schell, MD - 2020
Jayson Johnson, MD - 2019
Jayson Johnson, MD - 2018
B. Israel Yahuaca, MD - 2017
Julia Nuelle, MD - 2016
Nicholas Capito, MD - 2015
Clayton Nuelle, MD - 2014

All MOI Nursing Award Winners

Barry J. Gainor, MD, Faculty Teaching Award

Established in 2008 by chief residents, this award recognizes Dr. Gainor’s role as an educator for more than 30 years in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Chief residents select the recipient to honor the faculty member who exemplifies Dr. Gainor’s dedication to teaching.

Richard Ma, MD - 2023
Kyle Schweser, MD - 2022
Kevin G. Gunter, MD - 2021
Ajay Aggarwal, MD - 2020
Gregory Della Rocca, MD, PhD - 2019
Jay Bridgeman, MD - 2018
Sumit Gupta, MD - 2017
Kevin G. Gunter, MD - 2016
James L. Cook, DVM, PhD - 2015
Kyle Fiala, DPM - 2014
Benjamin Summerhays, DPM - 2014
Kevin G. Gunter, MD - 2013
James P. Stannard MD - 2012
Brett Crist, MD, FACS - 2011
Craig Kuhns, MD - 2011
David Flood, MD - 2010
George Parkins, MD - 2009
Steve M. Kane, MD - 2008

All Gainor Teaching Award Winners

Legacy Awards

Littlejohn Legacy Resident Research Presentation Award

Established in 2020 by Mrs. Marilyn Littlejohn in honor of her late husband, Dr. Robert Littlejohn, this award is given to recognize outstanding resident research in orthopaedic surgery. Dr. Littlejohn was a treasured and iconic member of our faculty for may years and both Dr. & Mrs. Littlejohn have been strong advocates and supporters of resident research at MU for decades. A committee will select the resident recipient based on the presentation of their research.

Lasun Oladeji, MD, PhD - 2023
Michael Ewing, MD & John Worley, MD - 2022
John Weitlich, MD - 2022
Chris Loftis, MD & Morgan Moon, MD - 2021

Allen Menard Leadership Award

Established in 2007 by B. Sonny Bal, MD, this award is presented to one resident who best exemplifies the qualities Dr. Menard presented—those unique and intangible qualities that make a professional a leader among their peers. Department leadership select the recipient, and the award includes $500 from the Allen Menard Leadership Award Account.

Tyler Surma, MD - 2019
Jeff Milles, MD - 2018 & 2017
Julia Nuelle, MD - 2016
Joseph Morgan, MD - 2015
Shaun Steeby, MD - 2014
Conrad Ivie, MD - 2013
Clayton Nuelle, MD - 2012
Alan G. Anz, MD - 2011
Caleb Vosberg, MD - 2010
Matthew Jones, MD - 2009
John Douglas Haltom, MD - 2008
Bradley Dean Crow, MD - 2007

All Menard Award Winners

Dedicated Dozen Award

Established in 2011 by Dr. Joel Jeffries and his wife, this award was given to outstanding residents in honor of the residents whose dedication was demonstrated by their service during the historic blizzard of 2011: Kate Bauer, Josh Hamann, Michael Hood, Mike Hughes, Conrad Ivie, Matt Jones, Clay Nuelle, Jeff Ratusznik, Shaun Steeby, Harmeeth Uppal, Santaram Vallurupalli and Brian Wegman. Determined by the program director, this award included $1,000.