This Clinical Research Fellowship provides an opportunity to gain valuable experience, exposure, and scholarly accomplishments for medical school graduates and gap-year students pursuing Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery.
Successful applicants can spend 1 or more years in the fellowship, which supports engagement in departmental and mentored individual research projects, participation in clinical rounds and didactic training, and team-based interactions with clinical and research faculty, staff, fellows, residents, and students.
Fellows work on a clinical research team comprised of ~20 individuals and are assigned key responsibilities focused on learning and implementing all components of high-volume, intense, comprehensive clinical orthopaedics research. The role involves completing all components of IRB approval, consenting and enrolling research subjects, ensuring compliance, and supporting the Principal Investigators/Co-Investigators with data collection, analyses, and reporting. Beyond normal business hours, the fellow will participate in conferences, resident education, grand rounds, clinical observation, and their own mentored research projects to prepare for residency.
Ideal candidates are hard-working team players who are passionate about evidence-based patient care in orthopaedics. More information can be obtained by contacting Dr. James Cook.
Fellow alumni and their publications/projects
Mubinah Khaleel, DO
Clinical Research Fellowship: 2023-2024, Residency: 2024-2029
Publications
• Khaleel M, Smith M, Rucinski K. Does Anxiety Affect Post-Operative Pain Perception 1-Year Following Total Shoulder Replacements? Project #2097348 submitted August 2024
• Khaleel M, Oladeji L, Smith C, DeFroda S, Nuelle C. Shoulder Labral Repair Technique. Arthroscopy Techniques 13(5) Feb 2024.
• Loftis C, Khaleel M, Resnick M, Baker B, Cook J, Nuelle C, Smith M. Punch vs Drill Pilot Hole Anchor
• Placement for Proximal Humerus Rotator Cuff Repair. Project #2019842 Submitted 2024
• Rizzo E, Khaleel M, Li J, Leary E, Keeney J. Biomarkers and Satisfaction in Total Knee Replacement Project #1208392 James Keeney MD
• Troyer L, Khaleel M, Rucinski K. Strategies for Overcoming and Implementing Solutions for Common Social Determinants of Health Impacting the Orthopaedic Field. The Knee 49, 241-248 August 2024
• Durante E, Khaleel M, Cook J, Schweser K,. Outcomes Following Early Weight Bearing in Syndesmotic Injuries: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Project #2014428 Kyle Schweser MD
• Khaleel M, Ericsson A, Schweser K,. Effects of Gut Microbiome Diversity on Post-Operative Complications in Polytrauma Patients. Project # 2018781 Kyle Schweser MD
• Kirby B, Khaleel M, Goldenberg C, Schroeder A. ChatGPT and CPT Codes Resident Study
• Khaleel M, Vivace B, Leary E, London D. Disparities in Distal Radius Fractures Project # 2092455 Daniel London MD
• NYU. Assessing the Efficacy of Hindfoot Fusion Nails as a Salvage Procedure Following Failed Surgical Treatment of Ankle and Pilon Fractures
• LSUHSC. Comparison of Outcomes for Operative and Nonoperative Management of GSW Humerus
Rachel Phillips, MD
Clinical Research Fellowship: 2021-2023, Residency: University of Missouri 2023-2028
Publications
• Choo, S., Yen, T., Phillips, R.D., Parola, R., Evenski, A. Substantial Improvement in Short-term Pain Following Carpal Tunnel Surgery for Patients with Moderate Preoperative Electromyography Findings is Correlated with Diabetic Status. Poster Presentation: ORS Annual Meeting, February 2023. Dallas, TX
• Rizzo, E., Phillips, R.D., Leary, E., Keeney, J. Moderate and Morbid Obesity Predict Contemporary Total Knee Arthroplasty Dissatisfaction. The Journal of Arthroplasty 38(12) June 2023
• Phillips, R.D., Choo, S., Nuelle, C.W. Bracing/or the Pate/lofemoral Joint. J Knee Surgery 35(3) Feb 2022
• Phillips, R.D., Stannard, J.P., Crist, B. lncisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy -Indications and Outcomes. J of Orthopaedic Trauma 1(36) Sept 2022
Gusho C., Phillips R.D., Cook J., Evenski, A. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Negative Wound Pressure Therapy Use in Soft Tissue Sarcoma Resection. Iowa Orthopaedic J. 43(2) Dec 2023
• Choo, S., Phillips, R.D., White, J., Nuelle, J. Neuromodulators can promote nerve regeneration and accelerate functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury: a systematic review J Orthop Res. 42(7) July 2024
• Fletcher, B., Phillips, R.D., Faust, A., Cook, J., Nuelle, J. Physical Exercise to Promote Regeneration After Peripheral Nerve Injury in Animal Models: A Systematic Review. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 42(7) July 2024
• Rizzo, E, Phillips, R.D., Schwab, P., Hoernshemeyer, D., Gupta, S, MD, MPH. Antibiotic Prophylaxis does not Affect Infection Rate in Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures Treated with Percutaneous Pinning: A Prospective, Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. J Am Acad Ortho Surg 32(9) May 2024
• Poster Presentation: University of Missouri School of Medicine Health Sciences Research Day, November 2022. Columbia, MO
• Poster Presentation: AAOS Annual Meeting, March 2023. Las Vegas, NV
• Podium Presentation: POSNA Annual Meeting, April 2023. Nashville, TN
Elizabeth Durante, MD
Clinical Research Fellowship: 2020-2021, Residency: University of Missouri 2020-2025
Publications
• Durante E, Khaleel M, Cook J, Schweser K. Effects of Gut Microbiome Diversity on Post-Operative Complications in Polytrauma Patients. Project #2018781 Kyle Schweser, MD
• Multicenter Prospective Registry for Periprosthetic Fractures after Hip or Knee Arthroplasty Project #2036882 Gregory DellaRocca, MD
• Postoperative Sleep Quality Following Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Diphenhydramine and Melatonin Versus Sleep Skills Training Project #2013726 James A. Keeney, MD
• Worley JR, Brimmo O, Nuelle CW, Zitsch BP, Leary EV, Cook JL, Stannard JP. Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction after surgical treatment of multiligament knee injury. J. of Knee Surgery. 35(1) Jan 2022.
• Hoernschemeyer DG, Boeyer ME, Tweedy NM, Worley JR, Crim JR. A preliminary assessment of intervertebral disc health and pathoanatomy changes observed two years following anterior vertebral body tethering. European Spine Journal. 30(23) Dec 2021.
Ennio Rizzo Esposito, MD
Clinical Research Fellowship: 2019-2020, Residency: University of Missouri 2020-2025
Publications
• Crist, Brett D. MD; Surma, Tyler J. MD; Esposito, Ennio Rizzo MD; Matera, Julia R BS; Worley, John R. MD; Rund, Joseph M. BS; Cook, James L. DVM, PhD. Anterior total hip arthroplasty outcomes in the treatment of femoral neck fractures: a retrospective cohort study, - Current Orthopaedic Practice, 33(6) Nov/Dec 2022
• Gupta SK, Esposito ER, Phillips R, Schwab PE, Leary EV, Hoernschemeyer DG. Effect of Antibiotic Prophylaxis on Infection Rates in Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures Treated with Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning: A Prospective Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial . J American Academy Orthopaedic Surgery – 32(9) Feb 2024
• Massey, Lauren E. MD; Oladeji, Lasun O. MD; Esposito, Ennio Rizzo MD; Cook, James L. DVM, PhD; Della Rocca, Gregory J. MD, PhD; Crist, Brett D. MD. Incidence and risk factors of ankle fusion after pilon fracture: a retrospective review. Current Orthopaedic Practice 34(1) Jan/Feb 2023
Lasun Oladeji, MD
Clinical Research Fellowship 2016-2019, Residency: University of Missouri 2019-2024, Fellowship: Sports Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery
Publications
• Oladeji LO, Stannard JP, Smith MJ, Ma R, Skelley NW, Sherman SL, Cook JL.J Knee Surg. Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Hyperosmolar Saline to Standard Isotonic Irrigation Fluid for Arthroscopic Knee Surgery: Initial Clinical Outcomes. 36(10) Aug 2023
• Gudeman AS, Hinckel BB, Oladeji L, Ray TE, Gersoff W, Farr J, Sherman SL.Am J Evaluation of Commercially Available Knee Cartilage Restoration Techniques Stratified by FDA Approval Pathway. Sports Med. 50(13) Nov 2022
• Oladeji LO, Stoker AM, Stannard JP, Cook JL, A Hyperosmolar Saline Solution Fortified with Anti-Inflammatory Components Mitigates Articular Cartilage Pro-Inflammatory and Degradative Responses in an In Vitro Model of Knee Arthroscopy. Cartilage. 13(2) Dec 2021
• Schreiner AJ, Stannard JP, Cook CR, Oladeji LO, Smith PA, Rucinski K, Cook JL Initial clinical outcomes comparing frozen versus fresh meniscus allograft transplants, The Knee 27(6) Dec 2020
• Oladeji LO, Stoker AM, Stannard JP, Cook JL. Use of a Hyperosmolar Saline Solution to Mitigate Proinflammatory and Degradative Responses of Articular Cartilage and Meniscus for Application to Arthroscopic Surgery. Arthroscopy. 36(12) Dec 2020
• Oladeji LO, Platt B, Crist BD. Diabetic Pilon Factures: Are They as Bad as We Think? J of Orthopaedic Trauma 35(3):149-153. Mar 2021
• Sherman SL, DiPaolo ZJ, Ray TE, Sachs BM, Oladeji LO. Meniscus Injuries: A Review of Rehabilitation and Return to Play. Clin Sports Med. 39(1) Jan 2020 • Oladeji LO, Worley JR, Crist BD. Age-Related Variances in Patients with Tibial Plateau Fractures. J Knee Surg.33(6) Jun 2020
• Oladeji LO, Cook JL., Cooled Radio Frequency Ablation for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis-Related Knee Pain: Evidence, Indications, and Outcomes. J Knee Surg. Surgical infections 32(1) Jan 2019
• Crist BD, Oladeji LO, Della Rocca GJ, Volgas DA, Stannard JP, Greenberg DD Evaluating the Duration of Prophylactic Post-Operative Antibiotic Agents after Open Reduction Internal Fixation for Closed Fractures. Surg Infections 19(5) Jul 2018
• Oladeji LO, Ponce BA, Worley JR, Keeney JA. Mentorship in Orthopedics: A National Survey of Orthopedic Surgery Residents..6J Surg Educ. 75(6) Nov 2018
John Worley, MD
Clinical Research Fellowship: 2017-2018, Residency: University of Missouri: 2018-2023, Fellowship – Spine, University of Alabama-Birmingham
Publications
• Oladeji LO, Ponce BA, Worley JR, Keeney JA. Mentorship in orthopaedics: a national survey of orthopaedic surgery residents. Journal of Surgical Education. 75 (6) Nov/Dec 2018.
• Worley JR, Brimmo OA, Nuelle CW, Cook JL, Stannard JP. Incidence of concurrent peroneal nerve injury in multiligament knee injuries and outcomes after knee reconstruction. Journal of Knee Surgery. J Knee Surgery 32(6) June 2019.
• Steeby SF, Harvin WH, Worley JR, Della Rocca GJ, Volgas DA, Stannard JP, Crist BD. Use of the dedicated orthopaedic trauma room for open tibia and femur fractures: does it make a difference? J. of Orthopaedic Trauma. 32(8) August 2018.
• St. Clair DD, Worley JR, Crist BD. Lateral decubitus positioning in the morbidly obese orthopaedic patient: a technique guide and literature review. Current Orthopaedic Practice. 30(1) Nov 2018.
• Crist BD, Worley JR, Jenkins TJ, Khazzam MS, Della Rocca GJ. Clinical and functional outcomes of patients undergoing anterolateral versus anteromedial surgical approaches for pilon fractures. Current Orthopaedic Practice. 30(1) Nov 2019.
• Oladeji LO, Worley JR, Crist BD. Age-related variances in patients with tibial plateau fractures. J of Knee Surgery. 33(6) June 2020
• Zitsch BP, Worley JR, Cornell GE, Skelley N. The current use of Twitter in orthopaedic surgery departments. Current Orthopaedic Practice. 31(2) Feb 2020
• Hoernschemeyer DG, Boyer ME, Robertson ME, Loftis CM, Worley JR, Tweedy NM, Gupta SU, Duren DL, Holzhauser CM, Ramachandran VM. Anterior vertebral body tethering for adolescent scoliosis with growth remaining: a retrospective review of two to five year postoperative results. J of Bone and Joint Surgery 102(13) July 2020
• Zitsch BP, Worley JR, Leary EV, Cook JL, Stannard JP. Patient reported outcomes for large bipolar osteochondral allograft transplantation in combination with re-alignment osteotomies for the knee. J. of Knee Surgery. 34(11 ) Sep 2021.
• Crist BD, Surma TJ, Esposito ER, Matera JR, Worley JR, Rund JM, Cook JL. Anterior total hip arthroplasty outcomes in the treatment of femoral neck fractures: a retrospective cohort study. Current Orthopaedic Practice. 33(6) Aug 2022.
• Gray AD, Blatt B, Worley JR, Sherman SL, Leary E. Decreased upward vertical movement for fastballs after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in Major League Baseball pitchers. Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation 4(5) Aug 2022.
• Sherman SL, Rund JM, Welsh JW, Ray T, Worley JR, Oladeji LO, Gray AD, Hinckel BB. Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction in obese patients has low complication rates and improvements in subjective outcomes. Arthroscopy: J. of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery. 5(1) Jan 2023.
Presentations
• Naclerio E, Surma TJ, Worley JR, Cook JL, Crist BD. Anterior total hip arthroplasty outcomes in the treatment of femoral neck fractures: a retrospective cohort. University of Missouri Health Sciences Research Day, November 2017. Columbia, MO. Poster Presentation.
• Worley JR, Brimmo O, Nuelle C, Stannard JP. Incidence of peroneal nerve injury in multiligament knee injuries correlated to return to work and activity level. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery Annual Meeting. March 2018. New Orleans, LA. Poster Presentation.*
• Surma TJ, Worley JR, Naclerio E, Cook JL, Crist BD. Anterior total hip arthroplasty outcomes in the treatment of femoral neck fractures: a retrospective cohort. Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, March 2018. New Orleans, LA.
Poster Presentation.*
• Thomas D, Worley JR, Brimmo O, Cook JL, Nuelle C, Stannard JP. Return to work and return to activity levels after multiligament knee injury. Mid-America Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting. April 2018. San Antonio, TX. Podium Presentation.
• Hoernschemeyer DG, Tweedy N, Worley JR, Loftis CM, Duren DL, Holzhauser C, Gupta SK. Outcome measurement of vertebral body tethering of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America Annual Meeting, May 2018. Austin, TX. Podium Presentation.
• Loftis CM, Worley JR, Hoernschemeyer DG, Gupta SK. The cost of physiologic referrals to a pediatric orthopaedic clinic. Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America Annual Meeting, May 2018. Austin, TX. Online Poster.
• Oladeji LO, Worley JR, Crist BD. Age related variances in patients with tibial plateau fractures. Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting, October 2018. Orlando, FL. Poster Presentation.
Troy Pashuck, MD
Clinical Research Fellowship: 2015-2017, Residency: University of Missouri 2017-2022, Fellowship: Sports Medicine, Baptist Health Orthopaedic Surgery, Current Practice- Florida Joint Care Institute, Trinity FL
Publications
• Pashuck TD, Hirahara AM, Cook JL, Cook CR, Anderson WJ, Smith MJ. Superior Capsular Reconstruction using Dermal Allograft is a Safe and Effective Treatment for Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: 2-year Clinical Outcomes. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery. 37(2) Feb 2021.
• Arnone JC, Crist BD, Ward CV, El-Gizawy AS, Pashuck TD, Della Rocca GJ. Variability of human femoral geometry and its implications on nail design. Injury. S0020-1383(20). Sept 2020.
• Goldstein CL, Pashuck TD, Ingalls KL, Billings LL, Agha MT, Drymalski MW, Choma TJ, Jeffries JT, James CR. Dispersal Pattern of Injectate After Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection Evaluated with Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Global Spine Journal. 9(4) June 2019.
• Crist BD, Pashuck TD. Reliability of a Condensed Computer-Based Patient Outcomes Scoring Tool in Orthopaedic Trauma Patients. J. of Orthopaedic Trauma. 32(6) June 2018
• Hoernschemeyer DG, Pashuck TD, Pfeiffer FM. Analysis of the s2 alar- iliac screw as compared with the traditional iliac screw: does it increase stability with sacroiliac fixation of the spine? The Spine Journal, 17(6) June 2017
• Pashuck TD, Kuroki K, Cook CR, Stoker AM, & Cook JL. Hyaluronic acid versus saline intra-articular injections for amelioration of chronic knee osteoarthritis: A canine model. J. Orthop. Res. 10(34) Feb 2016
Olubusolua Brimmo, MD
Clinical Research Fellowship: 2014-2015, Residency: University of Missouri 2015-2021, Fellowship Pediatrics: Children’s Mercy Hospital, Sport Medicine Current Practice – Children’s health Andrews Institute
Publications
• Olubusola Brimmo, Ferris Pfeiffer, Chantelle Bozynski, Keiichi Kuroki, Cristi Cook, Aaron Stoker, Seth Sherman, Farrah Monibi, James Cook. Development of a Novel Canine Model for Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis of the Knee J Knee Surg 29(3). Apr 2016
• Olubusola Brimmo, Chantelle Bozynski, Cristi Cook, Keiichi Kuroki, Seth Sherman, Ferris Pfeiffer, Aaron Stoker, James Cook. Subchondroplasty for the Treatment of posttraumatic bone marrow lesions of the medial femoral condyle in a preclinical canine model. J Orthop Res. 36 (10) May 2018
• Olubusola Brimmo, Patrick A. Smith, Cristi Cook, James Cook. Sonographic Diagnosis of an Acute Lateral Meniscus Tear in a Division I Collegiate American Football Player. J Knee Surgery 1(1) March 2015
