The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recognized three researchers for their contributions to orthopaedics during its 2026 annual meeting in New Orleans.
Johnny Huard, PhD, received the Arnold I. Caplan Award for Distinguished Research in Orthobiologics. Dr. Huard is chief scientific officer and director of the Linda & Mitch Hart Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colo. His research spans nearly 30 years and includes the identification of muscle-derived stem cells and their paracrine signaling role in tissue regeneration.
Dana Covey, MD, a retired U.S. Navy Medical Corps officer, received the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Clinical Research Award. Dr. Covey is a clinical professor at the University of California San Diego. He was recognized for research on military trauma care that helped reduce battlefield mortality through innovations such as improved vehicle design, early use of tourniquets and the implementation of damage-control orthopedics.Kelsey Collins, PhD, earned the New Emerging Experts in Translational Science Award for her work on the role of adipose tissue in osteoarthritis. Dr. Collins’ translational research challenges the notion of osteoarthritis as purely a “wear and tear” disease and points to systemic metabolic and inflammatory pathways, including leptin signaling, as contributors to joint damage and pain.
