In partnership with the Arthritis Foundation (AF), the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) is thrilled to unveil the recipient of a groundbreaking $500,000 multicenter research grant—a first-of-its-kind collaboration aimed at unraveling the complexities of shoulder pathology and osteoarthritis (OA).
This unprecedented joint effort began with a dynamic Shoulder Osteoarthritis Think Tank held just before the 2024 AOSSM Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. Thought leaders from across the country gathered to spotlight urgent knowledge gaps, highlight emerging innovations, and chart a roadmap for high-impact multicenter clinical trials targeting OA prevention and treatment.
“The AF-AOSSM Think Tank brought together the brightest minds in musculoskeletal medicine to consider the opportunities to advance clinical and scientific innovation in shoulder arthritis,” said Jason Kim, PhD, vice president of Osteoarthritis Research at the Arthritis Foundation. “We challenged the field to go bold—to design transformative solutions for the millions suffering from shoulder OA.”
The $500,000 grant was awarded to Michael Davies, MD, of the University of California, San Francisco, alongside Co-Principal Investigators Brian Feely, MD (UCSF) and Robert Tashjian, MD (University of Utah), for their pioneering study: “Defining the Molecular Signature of Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis Using a Multi-Omic Approach.”
This cutting-edge research project will deploy advanced multi-omic analyses, including genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiling, to decode the biological blueprint of primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis. By exploring the role of clonal hematopoiesis and identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, the study aims to unveil new frontiers in early diagnosis and personalized treatment of this debilitating joint disease.
“We’re incredibly excited about the potential of this study to revolutionize our understanding of shoulder OA,” said C. Benjamin Ma, MD, chair of the AOSSM Research Committee. “This award represents the largest investment in research in our Society’s history, and we look forward to the discoveries that will emerge from this remarkable team.”
Advancing Science, Empowering People
AOSSM, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) medical society, is committed to driving evidence-based knowledge, advancing the science of sports medicine, and supporting elite educational programming. The mission is simple yet powerful: to keep you in the game, at every age and ability. Learn more at sportsmed.org/research
The AF has long been a force in the OA research ecosystem, investing over $12 million since 2018 to fuel innovation with real-world impact. This latest partnership continues that legacy, pushing the frontier of musculoskeletal science forward—shoulder to shoulder. Learn more at arthritis.org
This bold collaboration with the AF reflects that mission in action. Together, the two organizations are catalyzing research that will enhance lives, improve outcomes, and expand the boundaries of what’s possible in orthopaedic care.