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Gillette Children’s Spine Research Program is focused on high quality, clinically relevant studies that aim to improve the quality, safety, and value of pediatric spine care. Gillette’s Spine Research Team includes physicians, advanced practice providers, scientists, orthotists, physical therapists, seating specialists, clinical research coordinators, and trainees at various levels.  

Our internationally recognized orthopedic and spine surgeons have expertise in treating complex pediatric spine conditions. We focus on both short and long-term outcomes in patients who have idiopathic scoliosis, as well as various treatment options for those with scoliosis associated with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy and other neuromuscular conditions. 

 

Current Lines of Spine Research

  • Research on non-operative treatments for scoliosis, including nighttime bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, comparisons of casting versus bracing in early onset scoliosis, and outcomes related to scoliosis specific exercises 
  • Evaluation of short-term and long-term outcomes for people with neuromuscular scoliosis 
  • Assessment of clinical outcomes and safety of novel surgical techniques in scoliosis care 
  • Gillette Children’s Spine Research studies are actively recruiting research participants. If you are interested in learning more about current research studies, contact the Spine Research Team.

Contact Spine Research at Gillette

 

Spine Research Team

Spine Research Co-Directors: 

Research Staff:  

  • Zelphia Brown, MPH, Clinical Research Coordinator 
  • Michaela Reardon, BA, Clinical Research Coordinator 

Current Research Trainees:  

  • Christopher Seaver, BS, Spine Research Fellow (2022-2023) 
  • Liban Mohammed, Summer Research Intern (2022) 

Past Research Trainees 

  • Candice Legister, BS, Spine Research Fellow (2021-2022) 
 

Spine Research Internship and Fellowship Opportunities

Spine Research Fellowship

The Gillette Children’s Pediatric Spine Research Fellowship is a fully funded, year-long fellowship program for medical students interested in pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery. Fellows will have the opportunity to:  

  • Participate in clinically-informed pediatric spine research and gain experience in all facets of research activities.  
  • Attend daily didactic educational sessions within the department of pediatric orthopaedic surgery. 
  • Observe clinical and surgical treatment of children with complex spine conditions. 
  • Receive mentorship from our clinical and research team.  

For additional information, please contact: Dan Miller, MD, Spine Research Co-Director, DanMiller@gillettechildrens.com 

Spine Research Internships and other clinical research experiences

We regularly accept trainees at various levels who are interested in mentored exposure to pediatric spine research. For more information, please contact Sara Morgan, PhD, Spine Research Co-Director, SaraJMorgan@gillettechildrens.com 

  • Kelly, M. P., Guillaume, T. J., & Lenke, L. G. (2015). Spinal deformity associated with chiari malformation. Neurosurgery Clinics of North America, 26(4), 579-585. doi:10.1016/j.nec.2015.06.005 [doi]