Mission of the NCOA
The mission of the North Carolina Orthopaedic Association (NCOA) is to advance the science and practice of Orthopaedic surgery through education and advocacy on behalf of patients and practitioners, with emphasis on overall quality Orthopaedic health care for the state of North Carolina.
Thank you to all who attended the 2025 NCOA Annual Meeting!
The 2025 NCOA Annual Meeting kicked off on November 14 with Dr. Don Gajewski, who presented a great summary of the struggles faced by Western North Carolina just over a year ago following Hurricane Helene. After an emotional start, attendees were privy to a standing-room-only lecture by the this year's Honored Surgeon and Foot & Ankle legend Dr. Bob Anderson on his experience over the last 30 years with professional athletes. A panel discussion on the state of residency education followed by several outstanding resident research presentations rounded out the pre-lunch program. Subspecialty breakouts got the afternoon started and finished off with an ice cream vendor fair to cap off a great first day.
The final day of the 2025 NCOA Annual Meeting was action-packed, kicking off with a panel discussion on the "Economics of Orthopedics," followed by the engaging Presidential Lecture with AAOS President Dr. Ned Amendola. Late morning through early afternoon featured a series of nearly 20 resident research presentations covering outcomes in orthopedic trauma, joint reconstruction, infection management, biomechanics, and perioperative care. The day ended on a fun note, with the presentation of awards and winners of exhibitor games named. Dr. David Rockwell was the raffle winner of the $500 Grove Park Inn giftcard; he and his team were able to gather 35 coats for the NCOA Coat Drive to support Western NC this winter.
Left: (from left to right) Annual Meeting Program Chair Brian Curtin, MD; 2024-2025 NCOA President Kevin Coates, MD; 2025-2026 NCOA President Tadgh O'Gara, MD; Middle: Exhibitor Game winner Kristen Harmody, MD, pictured with her new Apple AirPods; Right: Winner of the Yeti Cooler in the Exhibitor Game, Ishani Deliwala, and friend Stephen Perle.
Poster Session Winners
3rd place ($100) – Maggie Hoey, Student @ Duke - Development of an Extinction Therapy Approach for Osteosarcoma Using Eco-Evolutionary Principles
2nd place ($200) - Kristen C Harmody, MD, Resident @ Wake - Factors Influencing Aseptic Loosening in Total Knee Arthroplasty: The Impact of Age and Race
1st place ($300) – Alexander Jeffs, MD - Intramedullary Threaded Nail Versus Plate and Screw Fixation of Comminuted Metacarpal Shaft Fractures: A Biomechanical Study
Oral Abstract Winners
3rd place ($200) – Nequesha S. Mohamed, MD - The Effects of Diabetes and Sedentary Lifestyle on Knee Joint Cartilage in a Mouse Model
2nd place ($300) – Alexander White, MD - Pediatric Lateral Condyle Fractures: Pins or Screw?
1st place ($500) – Nathaniel Adams - Shoulder Arthroplasty Outcomes in Osteoporotic Patients Stratified by Medical Management
Save the Date for the 2026 NCOA Annual Meeting
October 23-25, 2026 | Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, VA
NCOA Contact Information
North Carolina Orthopaedic Association
222 North Person Street
Ste 101
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 833-3836
Fax: (919) 833-2023
Email: ncoa@ncmedsoc.org