Announcing the 2024 Young Investigator Research and Development Award

Two Surgeons Chosen to Receive the 2024 Young Investigator Research and Development Award

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Rachel Honig has been named a 2024 Young Investigator Research and Development Award (YIRDA) winner for her innovative research on using intraosseous antibiotics to prevent fracture-related infections in closed tibial shaft fractures. Her project aims to tackle a major challenge in orthopedic trauma surgery, potentially revolutionizing the way we prevent infections in bone healing.

Fracture-related infections are among the most serious complications in orthopedic trauma care, leading to prolonged hospital stays, additional surgeries, and significant emotional and financial burdens for patients. Dr. Honig's research focuses on the use of intraosseous (IO) vancomycin as an alternative to traditional systemic treatments. By delivering antibiotics directly to the surgical site, IO delivery offers the potential for high local concentrations at the fracture site with fewer systemic risks. This is the first study to evaluate its effectiveness in orthopedic trauma, specifically in closed tibial shaft fractures.

This research is particularly timely, as current antibiotic treatments often face challenges like poor bone penetration and rising antibiotic resistance. Dr. Honig’s approach aims to provide a more targeted, efficient way to combat infections and speed up recovery while reducing the risk of side effects. "Intraosseous antibiotic delivery could improve patient outcomes by enhancing local antibiotic concentrations at the fracture site while minimizing systemic exposure," she explains.

The motivation behind Dr. Honig's work stems from her direct experience with the devastating impact of fracture-related infections. Having witnessed the toll these infections take on patients, she became driven to find better prevention and treatment strategies. Her interest in intraosseous delivery began during residency at the Mayo Clinic and was further shaped by her mentorship at Shock Trauma under Dr. Robert O’Toole. Recognizing a gap in research, Dr. Honig is now working to bridge the gap between arthroplasty and trauma care by applying this technique to fracture healing.

Dr. Honig's long-term goal is to determine whether intraosseous antibiotic delivery is a safe and effective method for preventing and treating fracture-related infections. If successful, her research could lay the groundwork for larger clinical trials, potentially leading to a significant shift in treatment protocols. By improving infection management, this research could reduce healthcare costs, improve recovery times, and ultimately enhance patient quality of life.

The support of AO North America will play a critical role in advancing this research. Funding from AO North America will allow Dr. Honig to conduct a pilot study, testing the feasibility of intraosseous antibiotic delivery in the context of fractures. This pilot study will provide essential data for future studies and could ultimately change how orthopedic trauma surgeons approach infection prevention.

"This award is a crucial step as I begin my career as an orthopedic trauma surgeon," She shares. "I am hopeful that this research will help improve the care we provide to patients and address a longstanding issue in orthopedic trauma."

We congratulate Dr. Honig on this prestigious recognition and look forward to the impactful contributions her work will bring to the field of orthopedic trauma care.

Dr. Danielle Peterson has been awarded the 2024 AO TNA Young Investigator Research Development Award for her groundbreaking work in improving outcomes for orthopedic trauma patients. Dr. Peterson’s research focuses on addressing injury-associated anemia, a common but often under-treated complication in trauma care, particularly in fracture patients. While anemia is highly prevalent in trauma cases, there are currently no standardized treatment protocols in orthopedic trauma care. The risks associated with blood transfusions have led to decreasing thresholds for their use, yet many patients still experience prolonged recovery and increased complications due to untreated or under-treated anemia.

Dr. Peterson’s study aims to investigate the role of intravenous iron therapy as an alternative, focusing on its potential to improve recovery, promote bone healing, and reduce complications in orthopedic trauma patients. Her research will explore key questions such as: Does intravenous iron therapy improve functional recovery, return-to-work timelines, and overall quality of life? How does intravenous iron impact inflammation, bone healing, and platelet function at the biological level? And, most importantly, can intravenous iron be integrated into standardized anemia management protocols for orthopedic trauma patients?

This area of research is especially significant because intravenous iron therapy has shown promise in other surgical fields involving acute blood loss but remains underexplored in the orthopedic trauma space. By generating high-quality data on the efficacy of intravenous iron, Dr. Peterson’s work could lead to a shift in clinical practice and potentially shape future guidelines for optimizing anemia management in trauma care. In addition to improving patient outcomes, this research could offer a safer, more effective alternative to transfusions, which come with their own risks.

Dr. Peterson’s motivation for pursuing this line of research stems from both her clinical experience and a personal connection to the issue. During her residency, she treated trauma patients who faced negative consequences from anemia and had few treatment options beyond transfusions. This hands-on experience inspired her to explore new therapies, and her own personal experience with intravenous iron therapy after a postpartum hemorrhage reinforced her commitment to this cause. Witnessing the profound positive impact intravenous iron had on her own recovery led her to believe in its potential to benefit orthopedic trauma patients as well.

Looking ahead, Dr. Peterson envisions a long-term goal of establishing a standardized, evidence-based protocol for anemia management in orthopedic trauma. She plans to conduct large-scale, multicenter clinical trials to definitively assess the efficacy of intravenous iron therapy, which could help shape clinical guidelines and encourage broader adoption of this treatment. Additionally, she intends to investigate the biological mechanisms through which intravenous iron influences fracture healing, inflammation, and platelet function. By bridging the gap between clinical and translational research, Dr. Peterson aims to improve recovery strategies, reduce complications, and enhance patient outcomes.

The AO TNA Young Investigator Research Development Award will play a crucial role in supporting Dr. Peterson’s research as she transitions into her independent investigator role. The award will provide funding for research personnel and infrastructure, as well as facilitate data collection and analysis for preliminary studies. This will strengthen her future grant applications and position her research for long-term success. The financial support also enables collaborations with other trauma research centers, expanding the scope and impact of her work.

With the backing of the AO North America, Dr. Peterson is poised to make a significant contribution to the field of orthopedic trauma care. By developing evidence-based approaches to anemia management, she hopes to reduce recovery times, enhance patient outcomes, and ultimately change how anemia is addressed in trauma settings. Her research has the potential to shift clinical practice, improve patient recovery, and optimize trauma care for years to come.

Applications for the Young Investigator Research and Development Award (YIRDA) will open in the summer of 2025 to all AO TNA supported fellows.