The Orthopaedic Trauma Society (OTS) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) are proud to announce the winners of the OTS NIHR CRN Awards 2021. The Best Musculoskeletal Trauma Principle Investigator (PI) is Aaron Ng and the St George’s Hospital’s junior orthopaedic research fellows (JORF) team have been jointly awarded the Best Musculoskeletal Trauma Trainee PI.
The awards seek to recognise PIs and trainee PIs that go above and beyond other investigators to ensure research is embedded into clinical practice.
Best Musculoskeletal Trauma Trainee PI
The JORF team at the St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust includes Charlotte Brookes, Sara Dardak, Maria Dadabhoy, Roshan Rupra and Rhody Raj. The JORF team has worked together to support each other covering a large number of studies,
at times covering over 100 clinical patients while also managing to recruit into other trials such as ACTIVE, WHiTE9, OPEN, SOFFT, ARTISAN,PROFHER, CRAFFT and HUSH.
The JORF team has been highly committed to recruiting participants to their studies, working dynamically to ensure there is always a team member present to introduce studies to appropriate patients.
Reflecting on the award, Sara Dardak said:
“I am truly honoured to be receiving this award on behalf of the orthopaedic research team at St George’s Hospital. We are grateful for the recognition and support we have received for our dedication and commitment to research in T&O and I want to congratulate the team for our efforts and excellent contribution to orthopaedics. It has been a great experience.”
The Best Musculoskeletal Trauma PI
Aaron Ng is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Pinderfields General Hospital; honorary senior lecturer at the University of Leeds; PI for WHiTE 11 - FRUITI,WHiTE 9, CRAFFT and SOLARIO studies.
Mr Ng has been awarded the Best Musculoskeletal Trauma PI as a result of his dedication to recruiting patients to studies. He was commended for being friendly and approachable to patients and families in his care and for promoting research to staff, encouraging registrars to get involved in research and to join the Associate PI Scheme.
He regularly sends new studies to research staff asking for their participation in other research and encourages other consultants to become PIs. As a result, there are now 5 PIs in the orthopaedic department.
Contemplating on the award, Aaron Ng said:
I am very honoured to receive the award. I have a great research team supporting me at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and without them, I won’t be here accepting this prestigious award. I hope the recognition would inspire more NHS clinicians to engage and collaborate in future NIHR related research.
Recognising outstanding research contributions
Professor Matt Costa, NIHR CRN National Specialty Lead for Trauma and Emergency Care said:
"These awards are a fantastic way of recognising the excellent work being undertaken in musculoskeletal trauma research across the UK. Particularly, because the candidates are nominated by their colleagues, really highlighting the appreciation of efforts and value the winners have in raising the profile of musculoskeletal trauma research.”