Profile
Kylee Rucinski, PhD, leads registry-based illness-specific research for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. She is dedicated to using quantitative data alongside qualitative methodologies to better equip patients with the tools needed to understand treatment options, identify individualized treatment goals and overcome barriers. Dr. Rucinski has been the director of the MU Joint Health Program — an integrated non-operative program that individualizes care for patients with osteoarthritis or bone density issues — since its inception in 2019. She is passionate about leveraging integrated teams to achieve equitable, patient-centered orthopaedic care that prepares patients for treatment adherence. Her experience includes a 10-year career on the administrative, revenue cycle and research side of healthcare, helping initiate and oversee multiple programs at the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute.
Academic Information
Office
1100 Virginia Avenue
Columbia, MO 65212
United States
Research Interests
- Joint Preservation Surgery
- Biopsychosocial models of care
- Mixed methods research design
Education & Training
Degrees
2023 PhD in Pathobiology, University of Missouri-Columbia
2019 MHA, University of Missouri-Columbia
2011 BA in Psychology, Cedarville University
2011 BA in Comprehensive Bible, Cedarville University
Awards & Honors
- 2023 Littlejohn Legacy Award Recipient
- 2021-2023 Gordon Arthritis Research Fellowship
- 2022 Mizzou Musculoskeletal Symposium, 2022, Runner-Up, PhD Student Award
- 2017 Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Publications
- Rucinski K, Leary E, Crist BD, Cook JL.
Orthopaedic Trauma Patient Non-Adherence to Follow-Up Visits at a Level 1 Trauma Center Serving an Urban and Rural Population. Injury.
2023 Jan 21:S0020-1383(23)00077-3. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2023.01.038. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36725488. - Rucinski, K; Stucky, R; Crecelius, C; Stannard, J; Cook, J;
Effects of Patient Assessment and Education by an Integrated Care Team on Postoperative Adherence and Failure Rates After Osteochondral Allograft and Meniscal Allograft Transplantation in the Knee;
Orthop J Sports Med 2023, 10.1177/23259671231160780 - Rucinski, K; Leary, E; Royse, L;
Factors Important to Patients when Making Treatment Decisions for Knee Osteoarthritis.
J Knee Surg 2023, 10.1055/s-0043-56998 - Rucinski, K; Njai, A; Stucky, R; Crecelius, C; Cook, J;
Patient Adherence Following Knee Surgery: Evidence-Based Practices to Equip Patients for Success.
J Knee Surg 2023, in press - Rucinski K, Stannard JP, Leary EV, Cook JL.
Incidence and Cost of Surgical Site Infections After Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation and Meniscal Allograft Transplantation in the Knee.
Orthop J Sports Med. 2022 Mar 11;10(3):23259671221084701. doi: 10.1177/23259671221084701. PMID: 35299714; PMCID: PMC8921752.