What an honor to begin 2026 with an inspiring conversation with Sports Medicine legend, and AAOS President Dr. Annunziato "Ned" Amendola!

We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, his legacy work at Duke, AAOS, NBA shoe consultancy, mentorship, cartilage replacement, even Italian food!!

What a towering figure in sports medicine and foot and ankle care at Duke University, where he serves as a distinguished professor, chief of sports medicine, and executive director of the James R. Urbaniak, MD, Sports Sciences Institute. 

Since joining Duke in 2015 he has served as head team physician and chief medical officer for Duke Athletics, providing exceptional care to elite athletes while advancing innovative treatments for knee and ankle injuries. 

Internationally renowned for pioneering arthroscopic and biologic resurfacing techniques that have transformed cartilage repair and rehabilitation, Dr. Amendola has authored over 300 peer-reviewed articles, secured numerous research grants, and earned prestigious honors such as the Excellence in Research Award, Cabaud Memorial Award, O'Donoghue Award, and the Kappa Delta Ann Doner Vaughn Award. His leadership culminated in serving as President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), where he has championed excellence in musculoskeletal care and mentored countless surgeons worldwide.

Beginning his journey in Canada with training at the University of Western Ontario and fellowships in sports medicine and foot and ankle surgery, he previously held key roles including director of sports medicine at the University of Iowa. His contributions have earned him additional accolades like the Achilles Award from ISAKOS, the Roger Mann and Leonard Goldner Awards from the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, and induction into the AOSSM Hall of Fame. 

Join us (and Skeletoni) at the next AAOS meeting: https://www.aaos.org/

Clinic: https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/annunziato-ned-amendola-md

Please support our Sponsor, Anika Therapeutics: https://anika.com/

Duke World Games: https://ryortho.com/2026/01/duke-health-is-warming-up-early-and-ortho-is-leading-the-charge/

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What a holiday treat under the tree!  Device Nation sits down for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Michael Karch, AI leader, book author, inventor, "Surgeon Santa", and so much more!

We talk about his mission work around the world, one very smart drill, the Badlands 135, his work with the US Ski Team, Surgeon Avatars, 9/11, Reese's Peanut Butter cups, Sesame Street, his recent bestselling book, AI must reads, what it's like to run 58 marathons, whew.....we cover a LOT of ground in this episode (pun intended)!

Clinic website: https://www.mammothortho.com/michael-karch-md.html

Mammoth Medical Missions: https://www.mammothmedicalmissions.org/mass-casualty-training

48 hours in a MASH unit at Ground Zero: https://today.advancement.georgetown.edu/health-magazine/2016/karch-email/

Reflections on 9/11: https://today.advancement.georgetown.edu/health-magazine/2016/reflections/

The Neuron Daily https://www.theneurondaily.com/

The Paradox of Progress: https://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Progress-Thorns-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1544549296

Badwater 135: https://www.badwater.com/

Grand Rounds MD: https://grandroundsmd.com/mission

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Device Nation sits down with Dr. Anderson "Andy" Engh, of the iconic Anderson Clinic!

Dr. Andy Engh represents the third generation of his family to practice at The Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic, which was founded by his grandfather in 1938. 

Dr. Engh is a member of The Hip Society, The Knee Society, and The International Hip Society. He is a consultant reviewer for the Journal of Arthroplasty and the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American edition), a Board of Orthopaedic Specialties Education Committee member, and a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons as well as a previous board member there. 

Dr. Andy has received multiple awards, including the John Charnley Award, three Lawrence D. Dorr Awards, the AAHKS Clinical Award, the James A. Rand Award, and the OREF CCJR Award. He has published over 90 articles. He speaks nationally and internationally on topics regarding hip and knee replacement with a focus on patient outcomes and analysis of implant function.

What is your identity?

We explore the implications of that answer!

Anderson Clinic: https://andersonclinic.com/

Dr. Charlie Engh Remembrance: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10538874/

DC Plane Crash: https://henney.com/airfl.htm

SHAK Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/ep-14-dr-william-harris-and-dr-william-jiranek/id1765550109?i=1000705255942

AML Design Rational: https://bizwan.com/_mydoc/depuy/hiptech/DPY_AML_Hip_DR_0612-70-050r1.pdf

Dr. Benjamin Schwartz/Reflections on Identity: https://open.substack.com/pub/thesurgeonsrecord/p/the-end-is-the-beginning-reflections?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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We presented that prompt to 30 Reps and Surgeons we so respect, here are their answers!

Any of them surprise you?

Overflow crowd at our 2nd annual AAHKS Rep/Surgeon Town Hall Meeting!  Thank you Drs. Michael Meneghini, Cory Calendine, Brian Fuller, Paul Jacob, Michael Karch, Brown Blackwood and Eric Huebner for helping facilitate an inspiring conversation about AI, practice marketing, social media, how to sell to Surgeons and so much more!!!

What was the coolest thing YOU saw??

DM me with your answer, would love to hear it! https://www.linkedin.com/in/devicenation/

AAHKS: https://www.aahks.org

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Device Nation sits down for an inspiring conversation with THE world's preeminent authority on bone infection, Professor Martin McNally!

We talk Osteomyelitis, FRI, Girdlestone Society, antibiotic stewardship, Solario, ABX delivery carriers,rowing and a product worthy of consideration for your bag, your OR….CERAMENT G!

In this episode you will learn:

• Where we are on the DAIR
• Where the word “Girdlestone” came from 
• How antibiotic-impregnated cement can create resistance
• The concept of "Antibiotic Stewardship”
• Best practices to prevent intra-op and field infections
• The genesis of CERAMENT G
• Guinness Stout….to chill or not to chill?

……..and so much more!!

Martin McNally is Honorary Consultant in Limb Reconstruction at the Oxford Bone Infection Unit in the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford University Hospitals and King James IV Professor at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

He has a particular interest in osteomyelitis, infected fractures and non-unions. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers, reviews and book chapters. His current research and clinical studies focus on diagnosis and treatment options together with assessment of outcomes and quality of life for infection patients. He has been a champion of multi-disciplinary working in bone infection and was lead surgeon in the Oxford Unit for 20 years. Validated protocols and treatment methods designed in Oxford are now widely used around the world

He is Past-President of the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) and the Girdlestone Orthopaedic Society. He is a member of the EFORT Scientific and Education Committees and Co-chair of the International Fracture-related Infection (FRI) Group.

Lastly, big announcement for those attending AAHKS this year…can’t wait to see you in Grapevine!

Room: Dallas 6

Friday, October 24th

6:30-8:30 AM

OVIVA Trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30699315/

CERAMENT G: https://www.bonesupport.com/en-eu/products/cerament-g/

JBJS Paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36047024/

Professor McNally Research Works: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Martin-Mcnally-2

This is an orthopedic expert discussion on the use of BONESUPPORT’s product CERAMENT(R) G. Some of the uses discussed here may not be approved or cleared by FDA. The expert is independent and the content is not in any way influenced by BONESUPPORT. For complete product information, including indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and potential adverse events, see package insert.

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What an incredible treat for the Device Nation audience today, a conversation with world-renowned Surgeon Dr. C. Lowry Barnes AND world-renowned Author, Dr. Henry Cloud!

First up on deck, Dr. Henry Cloud, an acclaimed leadership expert, clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author. His 45 books, including the iconic Boundaries, have sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide. He has an extensive executive coaching background and experience as a leadership consultant, devoting the majority of his time working with CEOs, leadership teams, and executives to improve performance, leadership skills and culture.

And what a closer, Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. C. Lowry Barnes, widely recognized as one of the foremost joint replacement experts in the world!  Dr. Barnes has made substantial contributions to research focused on the hip and knee, having published more than 350 peer-reviewed articles and lectures nationally and internationally on total joint replacement surgery.  He holds 7 patents for orthopaedic surgery devices and implants, and established the HipKnee Arkansas Foundation, a non-profit research foundation and motion detection laboratory to further study patients with arthritis.

As a national and international thought leader in hip and knee replacement, Dr. Barnes has held numerous leadership roles in professional societies, including recently serving as the President of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS). He has also served as President of the Society for Arthritic Joint Surgery, the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, the Southern Orthopaedic Association, and the Arkansas Orthopaedic Society.

He is also actively involved in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, (AAOS) Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, and the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty. He is also a member of The Knee Society and The Hip Society, and has served on the editorial boards of many scientific journals.

 Dr. Lowry Barnes: https://uamshealth.com/provider/c-lowry-barnes/

Dr. Barnes Golf Lab: https://a.co/d/2cFRKZ4

Dr. Barnes Medial Pivot Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0883540325002335

Dr. Henry Cloud: https://www.drcloud.com/

Order "Trust" here: https://a.co/d/2cFRKZ4

Dr. Cloud Knee Story: https://news.uams.edu/2020/09/02/henrycloud/

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What a privilege, introducing Device Nation to bestselling Sci-Fi Author, Programmer, and Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Kishore Tipirneni!

The developer of "Tempida", an awesome AI-Scribe program to help Surgeons with mind-numbing EHR documentation. A great app, a great add to any Reps bag!

200 Free minutes here: https://app.tempida.com/SignUp?ref=KE8080OM

The Complete Trilogy: https://www.amazon.com/New-Eden-3-book-series/dp/B08HVF54KJ

Dr. Tipirneni Clinic: https://www.desertorthocenter.com/kishore-tipirneni-md-hip-knee-shoulder-elbow-surgeon-phoenix-az.html

Tempida Website: https://tempida.com/

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Episode two in a Device Nation series examining what AI is bringing our way in the operative Orthopedic space!

First up on deck is Peter Verillo, CEO of Redefine Surgery:  "Redefine Surgery is developing the Mentor Vision System, an AI platform that helps surgeons implant instruments and devices with speed and precision. By building the world’s richest dataset of expert surgeons, we’re enabling advanced surgical guidance and creating an AI mentor capable of delivering top 1% clinical outcomes across specialties."

Our closer is Duke Health Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Adam Brekke, as we talk about Texas BBQ, enabling tech, "move 37", synthetic biology and so much more!!

"AI will not replace Doctors, but will instead augment them, enabling physicians to practice better medicine with greater accuracy and increased efficiency." 

Benjamin Bell

Redefine Surgery: https://www.redefinesurgery.com/

Dr. Brekke Clinic: https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/adam-brekke-md

Move 37: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AlphaGo_versus_Lee_Sedol

Nexus Book: https://a.co/d/ey2EbJ6

The Coming Wave Book: https://a.co/d/71CidAl

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Episode one in a Device Nation series examining what AI is bringing our way in the operative Orthopedic space, Grok describes our time today: 

"AI programmer Chance Bair and Anderson Clinic Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Michael Murphy discuss the potential perils and pitfalls of integrating artificial intelligence into healthcare, particularly in orthopedics. They highlight AI's transformative potential, such as enhancing diagnostic accuracy and personalizing treatment plans, but cautioned against overreliance due to risks like algorithmic bias, data privacy concerns, and the potential for misdiagnosis if AI systems are not properly validated. Dr. Murphy emphasized the importance of maintaining human oversight to ensure patient safety, while Bair noted the challenges of developing transparent and ethical AI models in a rapidly evolving field. Both stressed the need for robust regulatory frameworks and interdisciplinary collaboration to balance innovation with accountability, ensuring AI serves as a tool to augment, not replace, clinical expertise."

"You won’t lose your job to AI—you’ll lose your job to somebody who uses AI" Jensen Huang, Nvidia CEO

Follow Dr. Murphy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-murphy-3bb80992/

Follow Chance Bair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chance-bair-4019a640/

MORTHO: https://mortho.net/landing-page/

Studio LM: https://lmstudio.ai

Zapier: https://zapier.com

Microsoft Azure: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/

UnderOath Album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMeKWiwS9Ck&list=PLFpLNW92HiybhI70ZScljMWV0h4lX79oZ

Waymo Stats: https://www.theavindustry.org/blog/waymo-reduces-crash-rates-compared-to-human-drivers

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Truly a likeness that must be carved into Orthopedic Mt. Rushmore, Dr. Merrill Ritter.  We talk about his amazing career, Dane Miller, the Biomet AGC knee, Operation Walk, AAHKS, woodworking, Dr. Larry Dorr and so much more!

Kenyon College Tribute: http://bulletin-archive.kenyon.edu/x2705.html

Biomet AGC Results: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3978738/

JBJS Retirement Paper: https://www.jbjs.org/reader.php?rsuite_id=635518&source=The_Journal_of_Bone_and_Joint_Surgery/81/3/414&topics=hp+kn+pd#info

Marc Adams Woodwork Tribute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM34inb06TM

Thank you to our sponsor https://kinexmedical.com. Great company and great products, helping patients on their post-operative journey!

How can we help new reps get more comfortable with making sales calls?  Part of that involves hiring a commission-shaped person for a commission-shaped job.  Join me on the waitlist (launching SOON) at: https://www.incirqle.com 

Help our industry, and help yourself, to the easiest mailbox money EVER!

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