Research & Innovation Archives

Scottish Rite for Children Researchers Explore Improved Return-to-Play Assessments for Youth Concussions

by Taheera Washington | Jul 2, 2026 | Research & Innovation, Sports Medicine

Researchers at Scottish Rite for Children and UT Southwestern Medical Center found that post-exercise gait and cognitive testing may provide a more accurate measure of concussion recovery in young athletes. Published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, the study found that physical exertion revealed subtle changes in walking patterns and cognitive function that may not be detected during standard concussion evaluations. The research was conducted in Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center’s Movement Science Lab.

Between 1 million and 2 million children younger than 18 experience sports-related concussions each year in the United States. Those who return to physical activity too soon are at risk for prolonged recovery and increased musculoskeletal injuries due to lingering neurological deficits.

Led by Section Director of Medical Sports Medicine and sports medicine physician Shane Miller, M.D., FAAP, the pilot study examined whether gait analysis, combined with cognitive testing after exercise, could identify lingering neurological deficits in adolescents who had already been cleared to return to sports. Researchers found participants walked more slowly and took shorter steps following exertion, suggesting physical activity may reveal signs of incomplete recovery that symptom-based assessments alone can miss.

“Our key finding is that even in adolescents who have been cleared after a concussion, physical exertion still reveals meaningful changes in cognition and function,” says Miller. “We may need to evaluate the brain in different ways when determining whether somebody has recovered and is ready to return to sports.”

Additional Scottish Rite contributors included Senior Biomechanist and Movement Science Lab Manager Ashley Erdman, B.S., M.B.A.; Division Director of Movement Science Laboratory Sophia Ulman, Ph.D.; Bioengineer Alex Loewen, M.S.; sports medicine physicians Jacob Jones, M.D., and Jane S. Chung, M.D.; and Director of Clinical Research and Assistant Chief of Staff Henry Ellis, M.D.

The Dallas Morning News: Dallas Researchers Get $2.3M to Study Rare Childhood Disease

by Taheera Washington | Jan 20, 2026 | General News, Hip Disorders, Press Coverage, Research & Innovation

Researchers at Scottish Rite for Children received a five-year, $2.3 million NIH grant to study osteonecrosis, a condition caused by reduced blood flow that weakens and destroys bone and affects nearly 20,000 Americans each year.

The study, led by Yinshi Ren, Ph.D., principal investigator and scientist at Scottish Rite for Children and assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center, will focus on how malfunctioning bone repair cells may contribute to osteonecrosis and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Treatment for Perthes disease, a rare childhood hip disorder, does not slow the progression, rather it relies on surgery and other interventions to protect the joint. Ren’s research will potentially pave the way for new therapies.

Read the full story here.

Scottish Rite for Children Physicians Earn Top National Research Honors

by Taheera Washington | Nov 5, 2025 | Research & Innovation

Scottish Rite for Children is proud to announce our physicians have received three of the most prestigious awards in pediatric orthopedic research in 2025 — the POSNA Best Clinical Research Paper Award, the SRS Hibbs Award and the PRiSM Hank Chambers Award for Best Scientific Presentation. Earning all three in the same year is a rare and extraordinary recognition of the impact our doctors are making on children’s health.

These awards are significant because they highlight research that transforms the way children are cared for. They recognize studies that provide new evidence, guide treatment decisions and directly improve outcomes for patients and families. By earning top honors at the most respected academic meetings in our field, Scottish Rite physicians are advancing knowledge that directly translates into better outcomes for patients.

Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S., provides presentation at POSNA.

POSNA Best Clinical Research Paper Award — Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S., and David A. Podeszwa, M.D.

This honor was awarded by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) to a study led by chief of staff Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S., and pediatric orthopedic surgeon and clinical director of the Center for Excellence in Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction David A. Podeszwa, M.D. Their research, Open vs Closed Treatment for Unstable Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE): A Randomized Control Trial Comparing Outcome and Complications, compared two surgical approaches for treating this serious hip condition. The study found that the open surgical approach resulted in better outcomes and fewer reoperations compared to the closed approach, while the risk of avascular necrosis remained low in both groups. For families, this means children facing SCFE have a better chance of preserving hip function, avoiding additional surgeries and enjoying a higher quality of life.

Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., and Karina Zapata, Ph.D., pose with their award from the Scoliosis Research Society.

SRS Hibbs Award — Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., Karina Zapata, Ph.D., and Charles E. Johnston, M.D.

This honor was awarded by the Scoliosis Research Society to a study led by pediatric orthopedic surgeon Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., senior scientist Karina Zapata, Ph.D., and assistant chief of staff emeritus Charles E. Johnston, M.D. Their research, Wait to Operate: Surgery Demonstrated No Pulmonary Benefit Compared to Non-Operative Treatment in EOS Patients, reviewed nearly 20 years of data and found that pulmonary function declined at similar rates whether patients had surgery or were treated non-operatively. For families, this helps set realistic expectations and supports individualized care planning, ensuring treatment decisions balance risks and benefits for each child.

PRiSM Hank Chambers: Best Scientific Presentation — ROCK Study Group, Henry B. Ellis, M.D.

The Hank Chambers Award for Best Scientific Presentation at the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRiSM) Annual Meeting was presented to the Research in Osteochondritis of the Knee (ROCK) Group, represented by pediatric orthopedic surgeon, medical director of clinical research and program director for the Orthopedic Sports Fellowship Henry B. Ellis, M.D., for their study The Role of Unloader Bracing in Non-Operative Treatment of Stable Medial Femoral Condyle Osteochondritis Dissecans: An Analysis of the ROCK Study Cohort. The ROCK Group is a collaborative, multidisciplinary research organization dedicated to advancing knowledge in osteochondritis dissecans.

Ellis and assistant chief of staff and director of the Center for Excellence in Sports Medicine Philip L. Wilson, M.D., are primary contributors to the group, with Ellis set to become its president this winter. The study found that the use of valgus unloader bracing did not improve healing or patient-reported outcomes compared to other non-operative treatments. For families, this provides clearer guidance on when bracing may or may not help, ensuring treatment plans are evidence-based and tailored to each child.

Advancing Research, Improving Care

Winning these awards in the same year underscores Scottish Rite’s role as a national and global leader in pediatric orthopedics. Our research is not only shaping the field but also helping children and families receive the very best care here in Dallas and around the world.

Scottish Rite for Children Wins Award for Reducing Opioid Use Following Scoliosis Surgeries

by Taheera Washington | Oct 4, 2025 | General News, Research & Innovation, Scoliosis & Spine

Scottish Rite for Children has received one of Texas’ highest honors in health care quality — the Texas Hospital Association’s (THA) Bill Aston Award for Quality — for its innovative program that reduced opioid use by 28% in children undergoing spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis, setting an example for pediatric hospitals nationwide. The initiative successfully reduced opioid use without compromising pain management.

“This effort keeps kids safe by limiting opioid use while still delivering effective pain relief,” says Brandon A. Ramo, M.D., assistant chief of staff and chief quality officer at Scottish Rite for Children. “I’m proud of our team for leading the way with new solutions that will benefit children far beyond our institution.”

Established in 2010, THA’s Bill Aston Award for Quality recognizes hospitals across Texas that demonstrate exceptional and sustained improvements in patient outcomes through initiatives tied to national or state standards. This work reflects widely recognized priorities promoted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Joint Commission and Texas quality improvement programs that focus on safer, higher-quality and patient-focused care. This is the second time Scottish Rite has received this recognition.

The award highlights the collaborative 8-year quality improvement project led by Ramo and Director of Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Charu Sharma. The project is titled A Data-Driven Approach for Opioid Reduction Following Pediatric Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Model for Safe Pain Control. Ramo assembled a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, quality experts and electronic medical records specialists to create evidence-based protocols designed to limit opioid intake in children safely.

“Receiving the Bill Aston Award for Quality is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the extraordinary teamwork at Scottish Rite,” says Scottish Rite for Children Chief of Staff Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S. “This recognition reinforces our commitment to advancing pediatric care by improving safety, outcomes and quality of life for the children and families we serve.”

Using Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles — a step-by-step process of trying an idea, studying the results and making improvements — the team created new prescribing guidelines that helped adolescents recover from spinal surgery with fewer opioids.

Key elements of the project included educating physicians on the risks of overprescribing opioids, setting dosage limits while providing feedback to prescribers, empowering families with educational handouts on safe opioid reduction and promoting the use of non-opioid alternatives such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

“The program not only demonstrates measurable success in patient safety, but it also serves as a model for pediatric hospitals across the country, putting Scottish Rite for Children at the forefront of advancing pediatric patient care standards everywhere,” says Scottish Rite for Children President/CEO Robert L. Walker.

Get to Know Our Staff: Tiffany Thompson, Clinical Research

by Taheera Washington | Jun 26, 2025 | Research & Innovation, Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am a research coordinator for the spine team. I assist the spine doctors, fellows, residents and students with their research.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
I know that what I am doing is making a difference in the lives of the families we care for today and in the future.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
The atmosphere! I never had a job where you feel how much management truly cares for their employees. They go out of their way to make sure everyone feels included and appreciated.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I always had a special place in my heart for children, and I always pictured myself in a role that helps people. Previously, I worked in wildlife and environmental science. When the opportunity to make a career change arose, I was ready for it!

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
I get to interact with patients and their families. This may not sound unique, but I was not expecting this coming into my role.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Spending time with my friends and family.

Where are you from and what brought you to DFW?
I am originally from Dallas and have stayed here because I want to stay close to my family.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Poland. My family is from there, and I have always wanted to see where we came from.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My husband’s barbecue chicken.

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“Sweet Home Alabama”

What was the first concert you attended?
I went to a Fourth of July bash and saw Vanilla Ice.

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
Alexandra Daddario

What is some advice you would give your younger self OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Do not settle on one career path. You should have an open mind and accept any opportunity that comes your way. You never know when the best one will come about.

Pointe Readiness: How Does a Dance Instructor Know When a Young Dancer Should Start?

by Taheera Washington | Jun 13, 2025 | Research & Innovation, Sports Medicine

A young ballet dancer who is committed to the art will eagerly await the opportunity to join more experienced dancers en pointe. Many factors should be considered before making the transition to training in pointe shoes. Parents and instructors should take this decision seriously and guide young dancers. However, Scottish Rite for Children’s researchers suggest not all instructors are familiar with common objective tests that can be used to aid in this decision.

The Scottish Rite Movement Science team surveyed 31 ballet instructors representing 15 states and one other country. The instructors reported using the following factors to decide when a ballet dancer was ready to transition:

Strength (100%)
Dance technique (94%)
Age (87%)
Years of ballet experience (71%)

In a 2024 study, published in the Journal of Dance Medicine, lead biomechanist in the Scottish Rite for Children Movement Science Lab Ashley Erdman, B.S., M.B.A., and other researchers found that, while strength, dance technique and age were the top considerations for evaluating readiness, approximately 40% of instructors did not evaluate flexibility or movement quality prior to progressing to pointe. Overall, their knowledge of existing criteria was low.

The instructors acknowledged they were not familiar with accepted criteria, such as range of motion, endurance and balance performance thresholds. They were also not familiar with strategies or tests to assess these factors.

Performing en pointe is difficult if the dancer does not have the flexibility, strength, experience and control that are needed in an elevated position. Erdman states there are published and accepted criteria for pointe readiness that could be used and encourages parents to talk with dance instructors early in the decision-making process.

Watch this video to learn how to assess your ballerina’s strength and stability when considering a transition to pointe work.