Research & Policy

Research & Policy > Ronald and Wendy Smith Clinical Research Grant


Ronald and Wendy Smith Clinical Research Grant

 

Established in 2021 with a generous donation from AOFAS Past President Ronald W. Smith, MD, and his wife Wendy, the Ronald and Wendy Smith Clinical Research Grant provides funding for promising prospective research studies in areas of high clinical importance.


Congratulations to the 2026 Grant Recipients!

 

Longitudinal Changes in Achilles Tendon Stiffness Post Repair
Mark Drakos, MD; Ogonna Kenechi Nwawka, MD; Cordelia P. Burn, BA; Jonathan A. Gamarra, BA

Past Grant Recipients

 

Development of a Limb Risk Assessment Model for Patients with Diabetic Foot Syndrome

Christopher E. Gross, MD; Daniel J. Scott, MD, MBA

Changes in Gait Following Total Talus Replacement

Selene G. Parekh, MD, MBA; Joseph McCahon, DO; Joseph N. Daniel, DO; David I. Pedowitz, MD, MS

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Augmentation on Midfoot Beam Construct Strength in Charcot Neuroarthropathy: A Biomechanical Study

Naveen Pattisapu, MD; David B. Thordarson, MD

Program Information


Grant Description

The Ronald and Wendy Smith Clinical Research Grant provides funding for promising prospective studies in areas of high clinical importance in orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery. Studies are expected to generate results that have practical application. 

Potential areas of focus include:

  • Clinical studies to identify variation in cost or outcomes after foot and/or ankle surgery that may determine factors that are predictive of function and health-related quality of life

  • Complication prevention after foot and/or ankle surgery using local or systemic therapies

  • Multidisciplinary team approach to improve outcomes in foot and/or ankle surgery

It is expected that completed projects will be submitted for presentation at the AOFAS Annual Meeting or AOFAS Winter Meeting and for publication in Foot & Ankle International. Upon completion of the proposed project, it is expected that the principal investigator will be well-poised to pursue NIH/DOD/OREF or the equivalent large-scale funding to continue to advance the area of research.


Grant Amount

Projects should be budgeted up to $25,000. This grant may be renewable for a second year, but not guaranteed (maximum amount $45,000 over two years).


Eligibility

Access to this research grant is a benefit of AOFAS membership. Either the principal investigator or co-investigator on an application must be an AOFAS member in good standing in one of the following membership categories:

  • Active Member

  • Candidate Member

  • International Member

  • Associate Member


Questions?

Please contact the AOFAS by email at [email protected] or by phone at +1-847-698-4654