Since Fall 2023 leaders of the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and the Society of Military Surgeons (SOMOS) have met annually to strengthen collaboration, identify shared priorities, and advance innovation toward a common goal: improving musculoskeletal care for active individuals, especially military members. The Military Advanced Surgical Treatment (MAST) program was created to improve surgical skills and advanced treatment options for military surgeons and is led by leaders who have successfully secured Congressional funding for this growing, multifaceted initiative. While providing critical support for arthroscopic and related surgical skills training, MAST has expanded its purpose in recent years to include the support of impactful research and fostering collaboration among the partnering societies. The first MAST Summit was held in 2023 and brough the presidential lines of AOSSM, AANA, and SOMOS together to inform attendees on the state of arthroscopic skills training in the military, establish clear priorities for future research efforts, and identify pathways for future projects.
The 2025 MAST Summit convened in early October with several important outputs. In the third cycle of MAST-supported research awards, two proposals were selected for funding. The proposal entitled “A Multi-Center Biologics Association Registry and Biorepository of Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis Among Civilian and Military Population” submitted by Jason Dragoo, MD will be supported by a $150,000 award, and Dr. Michael Banffy’s proposal entitled “Bioinductive Collagen Implant Augmentation in Hip Arthroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Enhanced Recovery in Military and Athletic Populations” submitted by Michael Banffy, MD was selected for a $50,000 award. Both proposals were chosen through a rigorous process led by AOSSM, AANA, and SOMOS Research Committee chairs, continuing a strong tradition of funding MAST-funded research to improve clinical outcomes for active and military personnel.
In addition to celebrating high impact, MAST-supported clinical research, the meeting provided a forum for discussing several other topics of substantial interest. In particular, the status of the new CatalystTM Program was highlighted. Catalyst is an initiative to train the next generation of sports medicine clinician-scientists, recently launched with the support of the Geneva Foundation, AOSSM, AANA, and SOMOS. The inaugural cohort (Daniel Cognetti, MD, Eric Cotter, MD, and Jonathan Hughes, MD, PhD) recently started their 18-month curriculum, which focuses on longitudinal mentorship provided by senior AOSSM and AANA Members. The Catalyst Program reflects the yield of facilitating collaboration among the three partnering societies. Recruitment of second cohort of Catalyst will begin in Spring 2026.
The success of these programs reflects the vision of AANA, AOSSM, and SOMOS leaders, who recognized the need for enhanced collaboration in the service of its members and patients. These initiatives serve as a poignant example of what comes of identifying a shared purpose and mobilizing the collective energy of like-minded professionals.
Join SOMOS, AOSSM, and our partners January 20-21 in Washington, D.C., for the Extremity War Injuries XVIII: Securing the Mission - Funding Orthopaedic Science for the Battles Ahead. Since 2006, the meeting has sought to identify the top orthopaedic research priorities for the wounded warrior and tactical athlete. Learn more and register at somos.org/ewi.
