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Training Clinicians, Advancing Inclusion: LuskinOIC Champions Disability Care and Adaptive Sports

Posted on by Tyler Johnson

From Classroom to Community: Preparing the Next Generation of TBI Clinicians

The Thrive Adaptive Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) curriculum continued its three-part series with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Symposium, presented in collaboration with students from Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (COMP). The hybrid learning module advanced Thrive Adaptive’s mission to embed disability-informed care into medical education by integrating clinical knowledge, communication skills, and lived experience.

The program featured Jamie Currie, MS, behavioral specialist and disability advocate, who led instruction on patient-centered communication strategies for individuals with TBI. Clinical foundations were presented by Dr. Dan Miulli, neurosurgeon and medical director of the Brain Injury Program at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, who provided an overview of TBI pathology, treatment pathways, and long-term outcomes.

A panel discussion moderated by Hector Ochoa, disability self-advocate and community leader, centered the lived experience of individuals with TBI and highlighted community-based resources available to clinicians and patients. The experience concluded with a visit to The Perfect Step Neurological Rehabilitation Center, where students met founder Hal Hargrave and learned about emerging rehabilitation technologies and recovery strategies shaping neurological care.

A Full Calendar, a Shared Mission: Expanding Disability Inclusion

The LuskinOIC calendar is filled with opportunities to learn from, support, and engage with the disability community—positioning this year as one of the institute’s most impactful to date. Through partnerships with regional and national organizations, LuskinOIC faculty, staff, and collaborators will be present across Southern California and beyond, reinforcing a commitment to access, inclusion, and community-driven care.

Upcoming highlights include:

  • Feb. 19–22: Little People of America West Coast Regional Event — Las Vegas
  • Feb. 21: Burbank Adaptive Sports Expo — McCambridge Park, Burbank
  • Feb. 22: Los Angeles Adaptive Sports Fair with Angel City Sports — Ted Watkins Park, Los Angeles
  • March 7: Casa Colina Roll & Rally with Triumph Foundation — Claremont
  • March 21: UCLA Center for Cerebral Palsy Margaret Jones Professional Conference & Family Forum — LuskinOIC
  • March 21–22: Angel City Sports Youth Weekend — Harvard-Westlake Upper School, Los Angeles
  • March 27–28: Los Angeles Abilities Expo — Long Beach Convention Center

Together, these events reflect a clear and enduring commitment: showing up for the disability community, learning directly from lived experience, and turning partnerships into action. By maintaining a strong presence across Southern California and beyond, LuskinOIC continues to build trust, strengthen community connections, and ensure that access, inclusion, and impact remain at the center of everything we do.

Bringing Smiles With Project Sunshine and Baskin-Robbins

Posted on by Tyler Johnson

On Jan. 8, LuskinOIC was filled with laughter, creativity, and sweet treats during a special event hosted in partnership with Project Sunshine and Baskin-Robbins.

Children and families enjoyed a fun afternoon of hands-on arts and crafts led by Project Sunshine and Baskin-Robbins volunteers, creating a welcoming space for creativity, play, and connection. To make the day even sweeter, Baskin-Robbins generously provided ice cream, bringing smiles to patients, siblings, and caregivers alike.

Events like this reflect LuskinOIC’s commitment to caring for the whole child by supporting not only physical healing but also joy, emotional well-being, and moments of normalcy during medical visits.

We are grateful to Project Sunshine and Baskin-Robbins for their continued partnership and generosity, as well as to our volunteers and staff who helped make this day memorable for the children and families we serve.

Honoring Research Excellence at JVL Award Reception

Posted on by Tyler Johnson

On Friday, Jan. 23, LuskinOIC hosted a dinner reception to honor the creation of the new Harry A. McKellop, Ph.D., Excellence in Research and Innovation Award. Presented on behalf of the J. Vernon Luck, Sr., M.D., Biomechanics Research Center at LuskinOIC, the award recognizes outstanding achievement and forward-thinking leadership in research. 

Before establishing the McKellop Award, LuskinOIC presented the G. June Marshall Award, named in honor of the research center’s first director. To continue that legacy of revolutionary orthopaedic research, the JVL Research Center has introduced this new award honoring Dr. Harry McKellop. 

Dr. McKellop served at the JVL Research Center from 1980 until his retirement in 2014. During that time, he held multiple leadership roles, including  Director of the Biomechanics Laboratory, Director of the Research Center, and eventually Vice President of Orthopaedic Hospital. For his research on wear and tear on artificial joints, Dr. McKellop was awarded numerous patents and received prestigious awards, such as the Kappa Delta Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Under his leadership, the JVL Research Center became, and remains, one of the world’s most prominent and renowned orthopaedic research institutions. 

The 2025 McKellop Award recipient is Dr. Jenna Wahbeh, Ph.D. Dr. Wahbeh joined LuskinOIC in 2019 as a volunteer and later became a researcher,  Ph.D. candidate, and lab manager at the JVL Research Center. Over five years, she published groundbreaking research addressing critical gaps in orthopaedics and mentored more than 30 high school and college students. During her time as a Ph.D. candidate, Dr. Wahbeh received the ORS Spine Section Travel Fellowship and the UCLA Dissertation Year Fellowship. In March 2025, Dr. Wahbeh successfully defended her dissertation, which focused on evaluating cervical disc replacements to improve clinical outcomes.

The evening was attended by past and present JVL Research Center researchers, LuskinOIC leadership and staff, and honored guests. Dr. James Luck Jr. gave a history of LuskinOIC and the Research Center, while Dr. Edward Ebramzadeh reflected on Dr. McKellop and his time with LuskinOIC. Dr. McKellop then spoke about his own experience before introducing this year’s awardee, Dr. Wahbeh. Dr. Wahbeh closed the evening by thanking the JVL Research Center for the recognition and reflecting on her time at LuskinOIC.

Why A+E Networks Continues to Champion LuskinOIC’s Mission

Posted on by Tyler Johnson

We are proud to share a video created by our longtime partner, A+E Networks, highlighting LuskinOIC’s mission and the impact of their continued support.

In the video, LuskinOIC CEO Dr. Anthony Scaduto underscores the urgency of our work—providing life-changing orthopaedic care to children who otherwise could not access or afford it. Viewers see firsthand how our team transforms young lives through specialized surgical care, physical therapy, and prosthetics and orthotics services.

For more than a decade, A+E has championed our mission, helping support more than 60,000 patient visits each year, 85% of which serve children who are underinsured or uninsured. Their commitment to sharing our story with global partners reflects a deep understanding that investing in children’s mobility is an investment in their futures.

We are grateful for partners who do more than give. A+E Networks takes the time to truly understand our work and amplify our mission to audiences around the world.

Hopkins Family’s $15,000 Gift Advances Access at LuskinOIC

Posted on by Tyler Johnson

On behalf of LuskinOIC and the patients we serve, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Board of Trustees member Iran Hopkins and her husband, Christopher Hopkins, for their generous $15,000 gift in support of the Innovation Campaign.

Since joining the Board this past fall, Iran has been a passionate and committed advocate for our mission. Through a thoughtful review of their personal and professional networks, along with the use of a director’s discretionary fund, Iran and Christopher designated their gift to support a key Innovation Campaign project focused on improving access to our front entrance and Urgent Care Center.

Dr. Goldman with a LuskinOIC patient

This project, a passion initiative of our Chief Medical Officer Dr. Silva, will replace stairs and a lengthy ramp with a graded slope and rotary drop-off area, helping ensure safer, more welcoming access for our patients and families.

Iran and Christopher’s leadership and generosity underscore the meaningful impact individuals can make when they leverage their resources to support innovation in care. We invite our community to follow their example by contributing to the Innovation Campaign. Together, we can advance innovative programs, expand access to care, and help ensure brighter futures for the patients and families who rely on LuskinOIC.

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ozzie with crutches