The award will have a tremendous impact on the ability of HSS to continue to educate trainees in the field which highly skilled practitioners are critically needed now more than ever. Through the program, trainees gain the knowledge and research skills necessary to build successful careers in metabolic bone disease. HSS is now uniquely positioned to continue providing training utilizing the comprehensive curriculum that is currently in place.

Alena Competello, MS, Director, Office of Education Development and Alumni Affairs in the HSS Education Institute, led this remarkable achievement in partnership with Matthew Drake, MD, Ph.D., Chief, Metabolic Bone Disease Service at HSS, Nathanaelle Raymond, Metabolic Bone, Endocrinology Fellowship Program Coordinator along with The Office of Academic Training within the Education Institute. Together, their efforts have secured critical resources that will significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to train future specialists in an area of growing clinical need.

"Through its academic programs, for more than 150 years, HSS has trained the minds, hearts, and hands of some of the finest clinicians dedicated to advancing musculoskeletal health.  A steadfast commitment to excellence in education dates to the Hospital’s earliest traditions and continues to influence its mission and vision,” said James W. Schroeder, Jr., MD, MBA, Chief Academic Officer at HSS. “We are honored to receive this grant which will help shape the next generation of leaders in metabolic bone disease.”

The conferences and forums trainees attend serve as invaluable platforms for continuous learning and collaboration, featuring monthly journal clubs that foster in-depth discussions on the latest research and advancements in the field. During their training, fellows learn how to evaluate laboratory, radiographic and histologic analyses of metabolic bone diseases.

“The Metabolic Bone Disease Program is truly unique. Trainees receive hands-on training and insights that simply aren’t available anywhere else. Our fellows complete the program prepared to make an immediate impact in a dynamic and growing field,” Competello said. “Receiving this recognition from Amgen further demonstrates the credibility of both HSS and this program. I am proud to be a part of this team, I look forward to seeing what this talented group will accomplish next.”

“The future of musculoskeletal care delivery will be driven by expertise increasingly augmented with data and technology to expand access, monitor musculoskeletal health, study movement, and prevent disease,” said HSS Chief Performance Officer Scott DeNegre. “We have a timely opportunity to marry the foremost experts in medicine, data science, and technology to design a better system of care.”

This support from Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic initiative founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, will be dedicated to creating the HSS Data Innovation Lab, with the mission of assembling exceptional artificial intelligence researchers and partnering them with clinicians to develop new technology and accelerate ongoing efforts to modernize care delivery. When grounded in trusted clinical expertise, artificial intelligence has the potential to transform healthcare delivery, unlocking the best practices in medical decision making and treatment planning, and enabling personalized, high quality, care to be delivered at scale.

“Together, we can not only revolutionize the delivery system, but also democratize high quality care and enable access for underserved communities across the globe,” said HSS President and CEO Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA.

The cornerstone of the HSS Data Innovation Lab will be the data ecosystem, which will enable the exploration of disease generation, injury risk factors, and successful treatment options across patients from different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The knowledge, mathematical models, and technology solutions developed in the lab will expand access to care, improve clinical outcomes, and advance our understanding of musculoskeletal disease. The output of the lab will be made available to healthcare providers and patients across the globe, laying the foundation for significant disruption in our field and enabling humans to live longer and healthier lives.

Through the HSS Innovation Institute, HSS and Lazurite will collaborate to advance surgical technology and techniques, including evaluation of specific aspects of ArthroFree and potential co-development of new arthroscopic technologies. HSS will conduct training sessions at the HSS Simulation Learning and Training Center and may also work with Lazurite on the co-development of future technologies that leverage the ArthroFree wireless camera and proprietary Meridiem™ light technology.

By eliminating conventional camera cables that tether surgeons to the surgical tower and hinder their movement, the ArthroFree System is expected to increase OR efficiency, improve OR safety and lower customer costs. With its solid-state, low-heat, high-efficiency Meridiem light technology, the system also promises to eliminate camera-related patient burns and OR fires. The modular system is designed to be drop-in compatible with existing patient data consoles, surgical displays and endoscopes found in minimally invasive operating rooms. 

“HSS is excited to collaborate with Lazurite to evaluate the ArthroFree Wireless Surgical Camera System, provide insights into a next generation of the existing device, and potentially co-develop other medical device products utilizing this technology,” said Michael P. Ast, MD, chief medical innovation officer and a joint replacement surgeon at HSS. “As HSS physicians and innovators, our goal of continuously improving patient care and outcomes includes identifying and pursuing new technologies and developing partnerships that leverage HSS’s expertise and innovative spirit with cutting-edge industry advancements to drive new innovation forward.”

“Given HSS’s substantial capabilities in research, including the experience and expertise of its medical staff and the volume of orthopedic surgeries performed there, we believe that HSS is a great partner to conduct the various non-clinical assessments and other collaborations outlined in the agreement,” said Lazurite Board Chair Mark Froimson, MD.

“We’re pleased that a world-class clinical organization like HSS sees the potential for the ArthroFree System to become the standard of care in the minimally invasive OR,” Lazurite President and General Counsel Leah Brownlee said. “HSS has been a pioneer in orthopedic research and innovation for decades. The hospital performs more than 32,000 surgical procedures annually, including more hip surgeries and more knee replacements than any other hospital in the country. We believe this will be a beneficial experience for both HSS and Lazurite.”

About Lazurite

Lazurite is a medical device and technology company. Its ArthroFree™ System—the wireless camera for arthroscopy and general endoscopy—is designed for surgeons seeking surgical tools for greater agility in the OR. ArthroFree is drop-in compatible with current OR technologies, and it promises to eliminate cable-related patient burns, OR fires, and staff trips and falls. With the ArthroFree System, Lazurite ushers in the wireless era of surgical visualization. Lazurite’s intellectual property portfolio also includes the low-heat Meridiem light technology and products in development. The pre-revenue company is located in Cleveland, OH (est. 2015), and to date has raised ~$25M from institutional investors, family offices, and more than 75 physician champions. The mission: solve impossible problems to improve people’s lives. The 10-year vision: better outcomes for 10 million patients—and thousands of clinicians, too. For more information, see: https://lazurite.co

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “designed,” “milestone,” “promises,” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding the expected impact of the ArthroFree System on the field of minimally invasive surgery, and particularly arthroscopic surgery, and our future sales of the ArthroFree System. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Lazurite™, ArthroFree™, and Meridiem™ are trademarks of Lazurite Holdings LLC.

Critical issues included a lack of health education and awareness in managing arthritis and other painful conditions; a high incidence of falls in the community; and limited access to care among underserved populations.

The study, “Assessing Musculoskeletal Health Needs of Underserved Patients & Community Members Using a Community Based Participatory Research Approach,” was presented virtually at ACR Convergence 2022, the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Philadelphia.

“Musculoskeletal disorders are the most prevalent health conditions in the United States, resulting in financial and social burdens, especially in underserved communities,” explained Titilayo Adeniran, MPH, director of outcomes & data analytics at the HSS Education Institute. “Studies show that musculoskeletal health disparities disproportionately affect women, older adults and racial/ethnic minorities.”

HSS researchers used a mixed-method approach to develop a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). “For quantitative data, we distributed a community survey in four languages—English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian—to assess the socio-demographic characteristics of the populations we serve; health status and quality of life; health behavior and lifestyle; use of and access to care; and health education needs,” explained Adeniran. “For qualitative data, we conducted interviews with 22 community partners, including community-based organizations, city and state agencies and universities.”

The survey was distributed in various ways, including online, via email, using Alchemer panels, in person, and through the mail over a four-week period from January 15 to February 15, 2022. A total of 18,248 patients and community members completed the surveys, with 57% representing a diverse and underserved population.

In addition to the surveys, interviews with community partners provided valuable insights into unmet health needs, Adeniran noted. Community organizations represented all five boroughs of New York City, as well as surrounding areas serving racially/ethnically diverse populations. They represented all age, gender, and socioeconomic groups.

Key findings:

- Chronic pain, osteoarthritis or another form of arthritis were the most common musculoskeletal conditions reported in the survey.
- Among respondents with a musculoskeletal condition, a lack of confidence in managing symptoms emerged as a health need, particularly among medically underserved community members.
- Almost one-third of all respondents reported falling in the past year.
- Those with chronic pain, fibromyalgia or lupus were more likely to report two or more weeks of poor physical and mental health.
- Medically underserved respondents diagnosed with lupus, chronic pain or rheumatoid arthritis were more likely to have used a prescription opioid to manage pain.
- Health education emerged as a major need, with 70% of respondents reporting no participation in health education in the past 12 months. The top reasons were fear of COVID-19 and not knowing about educational programs.
- The top issues impacting respondents’ health and well-being were COVID-19 related issues, social isolation/loneliness, limited places to exercise, and limited access to healthy foods.
- The survey identified a need to address access to healthcare, with 42% of respondents reporting they could not access healthcare in the past 12 months, compared to 8% in a previous survey conducted in 2019. The top barriers were difficulty getting an appointment, lack of affordability or a service not covered by insurance. The need for transportation was also cited among the medically underserved.
- The most common type of discrimination reported in medical settings was that a doctor or nurse was not listening to the respondent. More than half of those taking the survey cited this issue.

“Broad community engagement is crucial to the success of any CBPR approach when assessing the health needs of the community and identifying health disparities,” said Sandra Goldsmith, MA, MS, RD, assistant vice president at the HSS Education Institute. “The results of our study will enable us to raise awareness about disparities that continue to affect our diverse and underserved populations and help us develop community-based initiatives to promote health equity.”

Authors: Titilayo Adeniran, Bertilia Trieu, Sandra Goldsmith and Laura Robbins, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY

When the pandemic forced the closure of its onsite programs, Community Education & Outreach staff quickly set out to transition their offerings to virtual and conference call formats. “It was important for us to continue to promote an atmosphere of support for our older adult population,” explained Wiesel. “Our goal was to continue to deliver high-quality education, exercise and support programs to promote health, activity and connectivity.”

HSS staff shared their strategies and successes at a virtual symposium titled, “Fostering Social, Emotional and Physical Connectivity in Older Adults during the Pandemic and Beyond” at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA) on October 26.

Utilizing Alternative Strategies to Keep Underserved and Vulnerable Communities Socially Connected

A presentation that focused on implementing new and creative program formats to better reach diverse communities was honored with the APHA Betty J. Cleckley Minority Issues Research Award. It recognizes individuals in aging and public health research who have made a significant impact on the lives of older people who are members of minority groups.

To foster social connectedness and promote well-being during the pandemic, HSS adapted its in-person programs to continue to reach underserved and vulnerable populations, including older adults whose primary language was not English.

Working closely with community partners, Bonnie McGrath, program assistant, Regional Markets Education & Outreach, and her colleagues conducted a needs assessment and identified alternative strategies to successfully pivot programs, including Pilates mat and Tai Chi classes to be offered via conference call, videoconference via Zoom or in a safe outdoor space in a socially distanced manner.

HSS offered 586 programs reaching 5,902 participants from March 2020 to August 2021. Surveys indicate that the program enabled participants to feel calmer and more relaxed; many experienced less pain; they valued the opportunity to connect with others; and they gained skills to cope with stress and anxiety. The online programs are ongoing and continue to evolve and improve based on participant feedback.

Aging with Dignity: Connection and Support to Reduce Isolation

“Aging with Dignity” was a monthly in-person support group led by a social worker designed to establish connections, provide guidance and reduce feelings of isolation in vulnerable communities. At the start of the pandemic, HSS staff quickly adapted to a remote format to continue the support group through frequent telephone conference calls.

Linda Roberts, LCSW, assistant manager of the Greenberg Academy for Successful Aging at HSS, says the telephone format made participation easier for those without easy access to the Internet or who were not as comfortable with an online format.

The group is ongoing and has been running for 63 weeks since the pandemic began in March 2020, with more than two-thirds of participants ages 70 and older. Program evaluations indicate that the weekly calls are effective in reducing their feelings of loneliness by establishing a sense of empowerment and community with other group members.

Improving Quality of Life and Fostering Connectivity Through Virtual Exercise Programs in Older Adults

When in-person exercise classes were no longer an option, HSS implemented biweekly live virtual classes, including Pilates, yoga and Tai Chi, as well as on-demand videos, tailored to improve musculoskeletal health for older adults while fostering social connectivity. The offerings were designed for different levels of ability.

According to Claudia Zurlini, senior coordinator, Community Education & Outreach, since the COVID-19 onset, HSS has reached more than 3,600 participants through live virtual exercise classes and 1.5 million people through on-demand exercise videos. Participant surveys indicate that the virtual offerings helped improve mobility, physical activity level and quality of life, while reducing the negative impact of isolation.

Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Evaluating Virtual Programs for Older Adults

Program evaluation is a crucial process that assesses the impact and quality of public health programs. Prior to COVID-19, HSS used a mixed-method approach with an emphasis on distributing paper surveys in person. With the shift to virtual programs, HSS adopted a new strategy to ensure effective assessment. In-person surveys were transitioned to an online system. However, due to low response rates of online surveys, HSS expanded the strategy to include a three-pronged qualitative approach – focus groups via Zoom, phone interviews and open-ended survey questions.

Bertilia Trieu, MPH, senior coordinator, Outcomes & Data Analytics, says the new approach helped foster social connectivity by allowing older adults to share feedback in spaces that virtually connected them to classmates and evaluation staff. It also created an opportunity to reach older adults who were uncomfortable with technology or did not have access.

HSS Virtual Offerings Here to Stay

“The expansion of our online programs, webinars, classes and on-demand content has demonstrated tremendous reach outside of our physical geographic area. Our content has been accessed by people throughout the country and around the world," says Wiesel, who adds that the expansion of online offerings will continue.

“At HSS, our data has shown that our programs are just as effective, if not more effective, in the virtual space," she adds. "Our reach numbers have increased considerably. Since January 2021, our on-demand content alone has received close to 3 million views.”

To access the extensive programming on the HSS website, as well as a YouTube playlist, visit:

https://www.hss.edu/health-video-library.asp

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDps2oOp60a7TEfDWuePJkarYGkS2ReQv

The award recognizes individuals in aging and public health research who have made a significant impact on the lives of older people who are members of minority groups, according to the APHA. The organization notes that minimizing health disparities and improving access to health and long-term care services are important issues for minority populations in the United States.

HSS is the award recipient for its manuscript titled, "Utilizing Alternative Strategies to Keep Underserved and Vulnerable Communities Socially Connected.” Bonnie McGrath, first author and program assistant, Regional Markets Education & Outreach at HSS, accepted the award virtually at the APHA Aging and Public Health Section Awards Ceremony on October 25.

“When the pandemic started, it was essential for us to continue to provide services to our underserved and vulnerable populations, including older adults,” explained McGrath. “Working closely with our community partners, the HSS team assessed the community’s needs and identified strategies to implement programs that individuals could access from home. It is truly an honor to have our work recognized by the APHA.”

HSS successfully transitioned many in-person programs to telephone conference calls or video conferences with Zoom. New programs, on-demand videos and offerings in a safe outdoor space with social distancing were added as time went on. Focus groups, phone interviews and surveys were used to assess program effectiveness, McGrath explained. Data collection indicated that the offerings enabled participants to feel calmer and more relaxed; they valued the opportunity to connect with others; and they gained skills to cope with stress and anxiety.

“Our ability to adapt and be innovative has allowed us to implement new program formats to reach the diverse communities we serve, offering support, an opportunity for physical activity and social connections,” said Sandra Goldsmith, assistant vice president, HSS Education Institute. “The communities we serve were open to these changes, and it is gratifying to have the opportunity to play a continued role in supporting their health.”

Ms. Wiesel and colleagues at HSS set out to change that by expanding virtual health education and support programs. They also launched a targeted marketing campaign to reach groups that would benefit from the offerings.

Ms. Wiesel and Bertilia Trieu, senior outcomes coordinator at HSS, shared successful strategies for developing and implementing self-management programs for people with rheumatic conditions at the virtual annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on November 7.

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) was key, according to Ms. Wiesel. “This approach entails conducting a community health needs assessment, prioritizing the health needs of our patients, implementing effective programming, identifying relevant outcome measures and raising patient awareness of our programs,” she explains. “The communities we serve are diverse culturally, geographically and economically, as well as in their medical needs.”

Once information was gathered and needs were assessed, the HSS education team set to work. For example, the health needs assessment found that two-thirds of respondents had never tried complementary treatments to help manage pain, such as meditation, yoga or mindful breathing. “To address this, we developed a program that offers online lectures on pain and stress management and on-demand YouTube meditation videos,” Ms. Trieu explains. “To reach communities that may not have access to the internet, weekly phone-based mindful breathing and meditation workshops are offered.”

During the start of the pandemic, HSS programs and classes that previously took place in person were transitioned to virtual offerings. Many new programs were developed, as well. Open to the public, with many free of charge, the online classes, live webinars, informational conference calls and on-demand videos seek to help individuals take more control over their health, develop good habits and feel better.

The HSS Education Institute distributes online surveys with each program to assess its impact and identify areas for improvement. “The programs have been very well-received, with participants noting ease of access and improvements in their physical and mental health,” says Ms. Trieu.

Through the virtual program offerings, HSS has extended its reach nationally by over 1,500% compared to 2019 and continues to target new markets via email, social media and ad campaigns, according to Ms. Wiesel. “In addition to helping participants manage their health concerns, the programs help them stay socially connected during these challenging times, which is essential,” she said. “Our goal is to continue to develop and implement programs that will improve quality of life for people with rheumatic conditions. We believe they have made a positive impact in the communities we serve.”

To learn more about educational programs that HSS offers, visit:

• https://www.hss.edu/public-patient-education
• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDps2oOp60a7TEfDWuePJkarYGkS2ReQv

An important target audience was older adults. “Inactivity and social isolation are serious public health concerns that are more common as people age,” says Claudia Zurlini, senior coordinator, Public & Patient Education at HSS. “Even before the pandemic, studies indicated that more than 25 percent of adults age 65 and older were inactive and socially isolated, and this has only gotten worse since March. The pandemic has eliminated many opportunities for physical activity and socialization, and this can exacerbate musculoskeletal and chronic health conditions. It can also cause emotional distress.”

To address these health concerns, the HSS Education Institute utilized various online approaches to deliver high quality musculoskeletal health education, exercise and support programs. HSS transitioned close to 80% of its pre-pandemic in-person programming to virtual exercise and education offerings and added new classes and content. HSS staff offered technical support to participants and provided instructor training.

Ms. Zurlini discussed best practices for a successful transition to online programming during a presentation, “Shift to virtual self-management programs during COVID-19: Ensuring access and efficacy for older adults,” at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, which took place virtually on October 26.

“Previous in-person exercise programs and workshops were transitioned to video conference using Zoom, and meditation and support groups for older adults were offered via phone conference to allow ease of use and accessibility for those who did not have internet access or were not comfortable using video conferencing,” she explains. “Additionally, educational lectures with musculoskeletal health experts were live-streamed as webinars and recorded so they could be accessed later for viewing on demand. We also produced videos on topics such as meditation, stress reduction and home exercise injury prevention tips.”

HSS also sent weekly emails containing health information in a comprehensible and engaging format directing readers to additional resources and topic-related programs that could be accessed live or on demand.

Ms. Zurlini and colleagues collected data to assess program effectiveness with surveys, focus groups and participant feedback. “Our follow-up indicates that our targeted approach led to a significant expansion of program reach and yielded positive outcomes in improving mobility and quality of life, and in reducing feelings of isolation.”

Most participants (72%) surveyed were age 60 and older and reported increased reliance on virtual exercise programs to maintain physical activity and mobility, and to help relieve stress and isolation. Eighty-five percent of survey participants reported that they gained knowledge; 83% said they improved their self-management skills; 90% reported program satisfaction; and 83% said they recommended the service to others.

Comments from participants indicate that the sessions had positive health benefits:

“The classes have given structure to my otherwise limited life under quarantine and provided a space for self-nurturing and self-care.”

“I found the class to be very relaxing and relieved stress. I was able to quiet my mind by focusing on the movements.”

“Has helped me to get up and do gentle movements so I am sitting less and is easy on my joints and limited range of motion, and helped compensate that I can’t swim laps for an hour twice a week.”

HSS offers an extensive selection of videos supporting musculoskeletal health on its website, as well as a YouTube playlist:

• https://www.hss.edu/health-video-library.asp
• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDps2oOp60a7TEfDWuePJkarYGkS2ReQv

The webinars, which are open to the public, have garnered interest nationwide. Many are offered free of charge or for a small fee. They run from an hourlong discussion on managing chronic pain to seven-week sessions in yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi. Student athletes can take exercise classes. Older adults can get advice on dealing with arthritis. People can learn why good posture is important and how they can improve theirs. The list goes on. The classes are offered on Zoom or occasionally via conference call.

“HSS is a recognized leader in musculoskeletal health, and the online offerings help us continue to honor our commitment to promote health, fitness and quality of life. All instructors are credentialed HSS staff members,” said Ms. Wiesel. “Our lectures and workshops aim to educate and give participants a sense of community, and our exercise classes help them maintain or enhance their fitness level.”

In the midst of a pandemic, the ability to take some control over our health can empower us and reduce stress, according to Julia Kim, PhD, a clinical psychologist at HSS. “Physical movement is not only great for your body, but also for your mind and emotions. It helps to release stressful or unwanted energy in a healthy way, allowing for muscle tension to release.”

In a recent nationwide survey on mental health by the US Census Bureau and other federal agencies, one-third of respondents reported symptoms of depression or anxiety. Dr. Kim points to the value of online engagement to help us feel better, even when we’re isolated from family and friends.

“Being stuck at home for any reason does not mean you cannot engage in life. Learning to adapt and do things in different ways gives us more freedom and the opportunity to live life to the fullest at any given time,” she says. “Technology provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with others, reinforcing that you are not alone and providing the ability to engage in classes together. It’s also an opportunity to meet people with similar interests, even if via video or phone.”

Katherine Shapiro, E-RYT 500, a senior yoga teacher and master Pilates instructor, says the response from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. “I have received several letters and multiple comments that the program has been their sole reason to get out of bed in the morning and kept them sane during the stay-at-home order,” she says. “I have been told that after class they feel joyful and uplifted. The feeling is mutual, as I, too, look forward to the classes and feel joy in seeing everyone onscreen.”

Surveys by the HSS Public & Patient Education Department indicate that the sessions not only have enhanced participants’ physical health but have lifted their spirits as well. These are some of their comments:

“Just want you to know that, during this crazy time, your class is invaluably sane-making. Thank you for the virtual anti-depressant! It means a lot!”

"Thank you for the opportunity to be in a caring/sharing support community with professional leadership and knowledge. My feelings of stress and isolation are reduced, and feelings of gratitude and self-regulation increased."

“The planets were aligned today and I had you with music and instruction. It was an exceptionally wonderful class, full of calm and peace. There is truly something magical about doing Tai Chi with you. I’m thankful that technology is able to allow us to meet up, to see and hear each other despite separation.”

Anyone can sign up for an online class. Lectures have no limit on the number of participants, although exercise programs have a maximum enrollment of 25 to ensure that everyone can get the feedback and attention they need. The instructor can see participants onscreen and advise them on their form.

HSS adds new online events and classes weekly, according to Ms. Wiesel. “The goal is to reach a diverse group of people of all ages and to meet the needs of our community. We are currently scheduled through mid-August, with some events still being added. All you need is a computer, laptop, tablet, iPad or smartphone to access our online programs. A call-in option is usually available too.”

Webinars are also offered in foreign languages. A workshop in managing arthritis presented in Cantonese was very well-received, and the Public & Patient Education staff are planning offerings in Spanish, Cantonese and Mandarin for the fall.

For information and to sign up, visit: https://www.hss.edu/public-patient-education.asp.

Additional lectures are offered on the HSS YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDps2oOp60a7TEfDWuePJkarYGkS2ReQv.

HSS adopts the Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach to develop and implement impactful educational programs that increase the quality of life for people living with musculoskeletal and rheumatic conditions.

“Our process begins with a community health needs assessment so that we can better understand the needs of, and obstacles faced by people living with musculoskeletal and rheumatologic health conditions,” said Titilayo Ologhobo, associate director of Outcomes, Public and Patient Education at HSS.

The community health needs assessment gathers input from the public and academic partners, patients, physicians and staff through a survey, community forums and community-partner engagement meetings. The input includes information about patients’ health status, comorbidities, health behaviors, socio-demographic factors, access to care and preferred methods for receiving educational information. The results reveal our community’s top health concerns and priorities. These insights inform the development of targeted community initiatives.

As part of the CBPR approach, evaluation of program results based on relevant outcome measures and the dissemination of findings to the community on an ongoing basis are critical steps. These appraisals shape future community needs assessments and improvements to programs.

“At the HSS Education Institute, our aim is to help patients take more control to self-manage their symptoms and give them the confidence to stay as active as possible,” said Robyn Wiesel, associate director, Public and Patient Education at HSS. “A more educated patient is a more empowered patient. Our Community-Based Participatory Research Approach has allowed us to create and implement specialized programs that successfully address the needs of culturally, geographically and economically diverse patient populations.”

For more information about free patient support and educational programs for people with musculoskeletal and rheumatologic health conditions, visit https://www.hss.edu/public-patient-education.asp.

“With people living longer, the challenge is to help them stay healthy and active, and maintain a high quality of life, regardless of the onset of chronic musculoskeletal health conditions,” said Robyn Wiesel, associate director, Public and Patient Education at HSS. “Here at HSS, we develop impactful community-based interventions by delivering education programming through self-management and outreach programs, exercise classes and social support groups.

Wiesel kicked off the symposium with a discussion of how HSS adopts the Community Benefit Participatory Research (CBPR) approach to program development and implementation, which begins with engaging the public with community health needs assessments, prioritizing the health needs and maintaining and evaluating partnerships. Programs are then evaluated, followed by the dissemination of results and input from the community. “This approach has enabled HSS to foster a collaborative environment where feedback from community members, patients, physicians and community partners provide valuable insights that identify gaps and inform future program development,” she said.

Pamela Sanchez-Villagomez, manager of the Stamford Education Initiative, discussed the importance of partnerships to bring health education initiatives into the community. These programs have helped 3,216 community members improve their musculoskeletal health.

“Establishing meaningful partnerships has enabled HSS to make community-based interventions accessible and empower members of our diverse communities to lead healthier lives,” said Sanchez-Villagomez. “Our culturally and socially sensitive approach to education has improved musculoskeletal health and mobility and increased our reach in these medically underserved communities.”

Claudia Zurlini, senior coordinator, Public and Patient Education, spoke about effective strategies to increase activity in an aging population. She presented study results for an HSS exercise program for older adults. To date, the program has reached more than 18,000 participants and has led to significant reductions in pain (30%), fatigue (28%) and stiffness (20%), an 18% increase in physical activity.

“Our exercise program provided participants with a comfortable environment, social support and instructors who tailored exercises for those with chronic conditions,” said Zurlini. “Participants also reported that they preferred our exercise program because HSS is a trusted organization.”

Maggie Wimmer, coordinator of programs and outcomes, Public and Patient Education, shared how HSS self-management education programs help patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions learn strategies and skills to reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Aspects of the programs include guided meditation, instructional workshops and on-demand videos and conference calls for additional at-home support. In total, 91% of participants reported an increased ability to apply learned techniques to manage their conditions, and 40% were using the skills multiple times per week. They also reported reduced stiffness and fatigue and improved balance.

“Self-management is critical to provide older adults with the knowledge, skills and confidence to cope with chronic conditions,” said Wimmer. “HSS has developed programs for diverse patient populations within the hospital and beyond our doors, improving musculoskeletal health across the communities we serve.”

Finally, Linda Roberts, assistant manager of the Greenberg Academy for Successful Aging, described how HSS hosts hands-on workshops, including using computers to access credible healthcare information, monthly social work led support groups and weekly exercise classes tailored for older adults that actively address their needs to connect with others.

“Participants were relieved to hear that others share their concerns about aging, and to see how their peers face the emotional and physical challenges that come with getting older,” said Roberts. “Our programs have successfully increased socialization among participants, helping them combat loneliness through connections with others facing similar issues. Research shows that older adults who have meaningful connections are more likely to maintain their well-being, very likely to visit healthcare professionals when needed, and less likely to neglect their health.”

HSS has built a robust offering of programs for diverse aging populations. “As a specialty hospital focusing on musculoskeletal health, one of our goals is to develop programming focused on helping older adults maintain their mobility for as long as possible,” Wiesel said. “By promoting active aging, we are helping more older adults live with less pain, illness and fatigue, and enjoy a higher quality of life.”

The results were shared in a podium presentation by researcher Titilayo Ologhobo, associate director of outcomes, Public and Patient Education at HSS, during the American Public Health Association’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Expo in Philadelphia.

Despite physical activity guidelines recommending at least an hour of daily physical activity for children and adolescents, about 76% do not meet the guidelines. “Participating in organized sports provides children with an opportunity to engage in physical activity on a regular basis. Our findings provide important information about how to better address that gap,” said Ologhobo.

The researchers surveyed parents across the country to assess their needs and perceptions about enrolling their children in organized sports. Overall, 87% of 1,858 parents who responded to the online survey had at least one child enrolled in organized sports. The major sports played by children and adolescents were soccer, basketball, baseball, football and tennis, with 60% of respondents’ children playing multiple sports.

The top three reasons for enrolling a child were the child’s interest (80%), to increase the child’s physical activity levels (74%) and because the parent played sports when they were young (56%). The most cited benefits for children participating in organized sports were improved physical health, improved mental health, fun and enjoyment, maintaining or achieving a healthy weight and improved social skills.

Parents’ top concerns about injury risks were concussion and head injury, broken bones, sprains, and strains and joint injuries. They reported relying on medical providers (64%), coaches (60%) and the Internet (57%) for safety information. Parents said their most important consideration for reducing the risk of injury was the coach’s knowledge, outranking sports equipment and facility maintenance and their own knowledge of injury prevention.

“Understanding parents’ needs and perceptions is a critical step in encouraging more children to take part in organized sports,” Ologhobo said. “Pediatricians and coaches need to be aware that parents are looking to them for information about the benefits and risks of different sports and that they count on coaches to keep their children safe.”

The findings from this research aided the development of the Healthy Sport Index (HSI), an online tool launched in October 2018 that helps athletes, parents and other stakeholders make informed decisions about which sports will best meet their goals. Developed by HSS and The Aspen Institute with the guidance of an advisory group including medical doctors, researchers and sports health specialists, the HSI combines the best available data and expert analysis to identify the relative benefits and risks of participating in the 10 most popular high school sports played by boys and girls.

The Healthy Sport Index is a first-of-its-kind tool created by the Aspen Institute and HSS to assess the health benefits of the most popular adolescent sports. Twenty high school boys and girls sports were evaluated based on the best available data and expert analysis in three areas of health – physical activity, injury risk, and social, emotional and mental well-being.

Visit HealthySportIndex.com. Watch a video explaining how to use the tool.

To measure physical activity, North Carolina State University researchers documented the degree to which players in different sports moved their bodies at high school practices. Each sport was measured by the proportion of participants who exhibit vigorous exercise, walking, and lying down/sitting/standing.

Boys exhibited more vigorous exercise than girls. For instance, track and field showed a major gap by gender – 60% of boys practiced vigorously, compared to 31% of girls. Researchers found this was likely due to how much additional time girls spent on activities not intended to be part of the content at practice, such as transitioning between drills, water breaks, and changing equipment. Girls in track spent 30% of their practices in these types of activities, compared to 9% for boys in track.

At HealthySportIndex.com, parents will find additional health data and analysis tied to injuries and mental, social and emotional well-being. Each evaluated sport includes recommendations for complementary sports to play based on overall health and athletic skill development in a child’s primary sport. This can be particularly helpful for children who are cut by a team in one sport and may want to find a new sport to play.

The Healthy Sport Index recognizes that how each sport experience is served differs from school to school, and team to team. A finding of lower emphasis on any of the three defined priorities does not imply that choosing that sport is detrimental, just that other sports may offer greater benefits based on data.

In addition, the Healthy Sport Index is searching for innovative high school teams that apply best practices for sports health. Winners will be promoted nationally as a model for others in their sport and receive a financial award. High school teams may apply here. Read the rules here.

Sports & Society Program Editorial Director Jon Solomon, who managed the Healthy Sport Index project, is available for media interviews. Contact Jon at jon.solomon@aspeninstitute.org.

The mission of the Sports & Society program is to convene leaders, foster dialogue, and inspire solutions that help sport serve the public interest, with a focus on the development of healthy children and communities. The program provides a venue for thought leadership where knowledge can be deepened and breakthrough strategies explored on a range of issues. Its signature initiatives are Project Play and Future of Sports.

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

They watched as a resident practiced partial knee replacement using virtual reality technology. "There is no substitute for the real muscle memory of dealing with actual tissue and the patient in the operating room," says Yuri Pompeu, MD, orthopedic resident at HSS. "But absolutely - as a supplement and a complement to everything else that we do, it's very valuable."

"It lets them practice in a very safe environment," explains Mathias P. Bostrom, MD, hip and knee surgeon at HSS and vice chairman of Education and Academic Affairs. "It lets us assess their performance and lets them assess how they're doing as well. And they can do it over and over again."

Watch the segment at ABC7NY.com. This aired on February 6, 2019.

Additional Coverage:

• Becker's Spine Review: Hospital for Special Surgery uses VR technology for orthopedic surgery training: 4 notes

Mr. Shapiro explains that HSS is motivated with being better - the word 'better' is the foundation of the HSS strategy plan.

"With everything we do, there's an opportunity to improve our performance for the people who need us," says Mr. Shapiro. 

In terms of his leadership philosophy, Mr. Shapiro notes that he's a believer in purpose-driven organizations. "Our purpose is to help people get back to what they need and love to do better than any place in the world." Additionally, Mr. Shapiro adheres to the idea of 'leadership by all' - everyone is a leader in the organization regardless of role.

This segment aired February 5, 2019 on TheCEOForumGroup.com.

HSS partnered with the Aspen Institute to release the Healthy Sports Index, the nation's first-ever tool to assess the relative benefits and risks of participating in the most popular sports for high school students, based on data and expert insights collected over two years.

Mr. Shapiro shares that two of his favorite aspects of the tool are the scope of the index and its flexibility. "Not only are the top 10 high school sports for boys and girls presented, but the index also provides recommendations for complimentary sports as well as educational materials, articles, and useful resources for each sport. In addition, the tool provides users with the ability to use a sliding scale to priorities the health benefits and risks of sports participation that represent them as individuals."

He explains why HSS invested in a tool meant to prevent injuries and keep people out of hospitals. "HSS has an obligation to apply our knowledge to reduce the risk of injury, promote healthy lifestyles, and maximize human potential across the lifespan for all individuals, but most especially our children."

Mr. Shapiro hopes that sports administrators and leaders at the community, regional and national levels are encouraged to learn from this tool and leverage its information to guide their own decision-making process as it relates to the long-term health and wellness of our children, using it as a "roadmap". This tool is a valuable addition to the public health education that is provided by the HSS Sports Safety program that works with community partners to reach over 1.5 million young athletes throughout the tri-state region.

Read the full Q&A at AspenProjectPlay.org.

GRACE will create a standardized platform to design, implement and measure changes associated with a regional anesthesia training program that can be used in any limited-resource setting.

The KATH-HSS partnership was formed to increase use of peripheral nerve block for orthopedic surgical cases.

Swetha Pakala, MD, anesthesiologist at HSS, is founder of the Global Health Initiative in the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management at HSS. The Global Health Initiative leads a global health track in which regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine fellows take part in each year. In 2018, Mark Brouillette, MD, and Patrick Laughlin, MD, joined Dr. Pakala on two HSS-sponsored trips to KATH in West Africa.

Read the full article at ASRA.com.

"Based on the success of the [Pain and Stress Management] program in the orthopedic clinic, we are expanding the program to patients of the [Hospital for Special Surgery] rheumatology clinic, who also rely on opioid use to cope with chronic pain, to help this population increase their knowledge and awareness of alternative approaches to manage their debilitating condition," said the authors in a release.

The findings were presented at the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting.

Read the full article at rheumatologyadvisor.com.

"Opioid misuse and addiction are a major public health issue in the United States, and approximately 70 percent of individuals who use opioids on a long-term basis have a musculoskeletal disorder, such as low back pain or arthritis," said Wimmer in a release.

According to the article, patients who participated in a meditation program said they learned how mindfulness techniques could reduce pain and stress.

Read the full article at dailymail.co.uk.

According to the article, HSS sports medicine surgeon Andrew D. Pearle, MD; physical therapist Laurey Lou PT, DPT, SCS, CSC; and program manager of HSS Sports Safety Jimmy Russomano; will address ACL education and treatment options.

Read the full article at mountpleasant.dailyvoice.com.

According to the article, virtual reality is emerging as a high-tech solution to train medical residents.

Dr. Bostrom said that VR simulations could prove particularly useful in many procedure-based areas of medicine, such as anesthesia, to introduce new physicians to the steps needed to complete a task.

"Certain industries such as aviation have been doing simulation for many decades. It's been relatively late in coming into medicine and surgery," Dr. Bostrom added.

The article reported that HSS residents have been operating on cadavers and artificial bones for practice for years.  

"Cadavers are still the gold standard of how to teach young surgeons," noted Dr. Ranawat.

"Right now [VR] is just another instrument or tool to give younger residents—not older residents because older residents are going to use more cadaver and live surgery—the basic surgical skill sets, such as understanding anatomy, tactile feel and understanding the steps of the procedure," explained Dr. Ranawat.

"The fact that I can come in here and it will walk me through it step by step with the instrumentation, it's positive," said Dr. Elbuluk, a first-year resident, who is able to use this tool to get experience before going into the operating room.

Older residents, such as Dr. Kahlenberg, a fourth-year resident, noted that VR tools do not yet have the capability to vary joints such as the knee.  

"Every human knee is a little bit different, and there's variability in the soft tissues and the feel of the soft tissue," said Dr. Kahlenberg. "I think it has potential to be helpful in the future, but it has a long way to go before it becomes a realistic training tool."

Crain's also reported on another simulator tool in the Bioskills lab that helps train residents on arthroscopy specifically.

Read the full article at Crainsnewyork.com. This also appeared in the August 20, 2018 print issue as well as Crain's Health Pulse and Crain's Morning 10.

Additional Coverage: ModernHealthcare.com 

"Each year we visit we build upon what we did the previous year, so my expectation is to see the Physiatry presence at FOCOS continue to grow and get referrals from outside providers as a Physiatry Center of Excellence in Ghana," said Dr. Cooke.

According to the article, Dr. Maynard also ran a clinic on anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions and other sports-related injuries.

"I am trying to bring a sports medicine competency here to help develop arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and knee. I will also hope that I can help by instituting a program in arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery at FOCOS that can be continued in my absence," Dr. Maynard noted.

This article originally appeared at focoshospitalgh.com.

Read the full article at forbes.com.

According to the article, the organizations will run a five-week gymnastics camp including workshops on sports safety.

This coverage originally appeared in Harlem World Magazine. The original article is no longer available online.

The article reported that the children's block will have a center where patients can receive classroom instruction and engage in recreational activities.

Read the full article at citifmonline.com