UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery residents Jonathan Isbell, M.D., Jeff Pearson, M.D., and James McMurtrie, M.D., placed first, second and third- respectively- in the Alabama Orthopaedic Society’s (AOS) Chestley L. Yelton Resident Essay Competition.

Isbell’s paper, “Resilience Correlates with Patient Reported Outcomes After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty,” received first place in the annual competition. Isbell’s co-authors included UAB medical students Alex Dombrowsky, Graham Kirchner, Tyler Montgomery, as well as Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Assistant Professor Eugene Brabston, M.D., Professor Brent Ponce, M.D., and Assistant Professor and Chief of Sports Medicine Amit Momaya, M.D.

As the primary presenter for his paper, Isbell will receive a cash award of $1,500 from the AOS. Isbell, Pearson and McMurtrie would have presented their essays at the Alabama, Mississippi and Florida Orthopaedic Societies 2020 in Point Clear, Alabama, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual meeting has been canceled.  Although unable to present his essay, Isbell is pleased to have placed in the competition and recognizes the impact his paper has on orthopaedics.

“This study further demonstrates the importance of resilience in patient reports outcomes, specifically as it relates to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty,” said Isbell. “In a climate where patient reported outcomes are becoming increasingly scrutinized, it is important for surgeons to identify patients whom may be less resilient and have a candid discussion regarding both the surgeon's and the patient's expectations.”

Pearson’s paper won second place and was titled, “Comparison of Compression Plating through Circular and Oblong Holes with Eccentric Drill Placement.” His paper was co-authored by Bridgette Love, M.D., Ponce, Kayla Rettig, M.D., Alan Eberhardt, M.D., and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Assistant Professor and Trauma Section Chief Jon Quade, M.D.

McMurtie’s paper, “The Effect of Corticosteroid Injection on Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review,” took home third place. His paper was co-authored by AM Cimino, C Garrison as well as Isbell, Brabston, Ponce and Momaya.