Memphis, Tennessee – The Kappa Delta Foundation presented three Kappa Delta Orthopaedic Research Awards totaling $60,000 at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 14, 2019. Often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Orthopaedic research, the awards were presented by Kappa Delta Sorority and Foundation Executive Director Pamela Nix to researchers who made key discoveries pertaining to many leading orthopedic advances.

The Kappa Delta Ann Doner Vaughn Award was presented to Rick Wright, M.D., for his research studying the issues that surround poor outcomes of revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Dr. Wright is the executive vice chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. The research was co-authored by Laura J. Huston, M.S.; Amanda K. Haas, M.A.; Christina R. Allen, M.D.; Daniel E. Cooper, M.D.; Thomas M. DeBerardino, M.D.; Michael J. Stuart, M.D.; Brett A. Lantz, M.D.; Kurt P. Spindler, M.D.; The MARS Group.

The Kappa Delta Elizabeth Winston Lanier Award was presented to Constance Chu, M.D., for her research in advanced imaging technology to help prevent osteoarthritis (OA). She also discovered that many people with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries may have “pre-osteoarthritis” (pre-OA) – what she has defined as potentially reversable joint changes that occur before the onset OA. Dr. Chu is professor and vice chair research in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Stanford University. She is also director of the Joint Preservation Center and chief of Sports Medicine at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The research was co-authored by Ashley A. Williams, M.S.; Jennifer C. Erhar-Hledik, Ph.D.; Matthew R. Titchenal, Ph.D.; Yongxian Qian, Ph.D.; Thomas P. Andriacchi, Ph.D.

The Kappa Delta Young Investigator Award was presented to X. Sherry Liu, Ph.D., for her research on how a woman’s reproductive history is a key factor for osteoporosis and fracture risk due to estrogen deficiency. Dr. Liu is an associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania and is the director of the microCT Imaging Core at Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders. The research was co-authored by Chantal M. de Bakker, Ph.D.; and Yihan Li, M.S.

Kappa Delta Sorority and Foundation are committed to making a difference in the lives of others through distinguished partnerships with organizations like the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Since 1950, more than 180 orthopaedic surgeons and researchers have received an AAOS award from Kappa Delta.

CONTACT: Katie Boyd, Programs Manager
901-746-3642
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Kappa Delta Sorority is a national organization for women with nearly 270,000 members, more than 500 chartered alumnae chapters and 168 active collegiate chapters. Established in 1981, the Kappa Delta Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to secure funds for the educational, leadership and charitable purposes of Kappa Delta Sorority. The foundation is supported by member donations and bequests that fund programs and initiatives such as scholarships, internships, grants and more. Kappa Delta National Headquarters is in Memphis, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.kappadelta.org/foundation.