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7^th Annual D’Ambrosia Orthopedic Symposium

Wednesday, October 22^nd at Elliman Conference Center on Anschutz Medical Campus & Zoom

The 7th Annual D’Ambrosia Orthopedic Symposium will be held Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the Elliman Conference Center on the Anschutz Medical Campus. Attendees have the option to attend virtually over Zoom. Pre-registration is required, as room capacity is limited, and walk-in registrants may be turned away for this reason only. 

Breakfast and check-in begin at 9:00 a.m. Lectures begin at 10:00 a.m. This event will include pre-and post-doctoral trainee presentations, two poster sessions, and a Scientific Keynote and D’Ambrosia Keynote Lecture. The symposium will conclude with an awards ceremony recognizing the top research during the D’Ambrosia Reception from 5:00-7:00pm. All attendees are invited to join the reception for light refreshments. For attendees who would like to stay overnight, you are welcome to utilize our .

Since its inception in 2019, each of our symposia has welcomed >200 attendees, hosted up to 100 posters, and has been sponsored by several local and national industry partners in combination with the Mack Clayton Endowment. Top science has been showcased by the University of Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå Department of Orthopedics, numerous other clinical and basic science departments in the CU system, and Universities across the front range including Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå State University, Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå School of Mines, University of Denver, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, University of Northern Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå, University of South Dakota, and the University of New Mexico.

2025 Keynote Speakers

This year’s D’Ambrosia Keynote is Leah Brown, MD.

Dr. Brown is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and treatment of the knee, shoulder and elbow. She is an associate professor with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and is the newly appointed head team orthopaedic surgeon for the NBA San Antonio Spurs. She was previously with the Banner Sports Medicine/University of Arizona College of Medicine and the head team orthopaedic surgeon for the WNBA Phoenix Mercury and assistant team orthopaedic surgeon for the NBA Phoenix Suns.

She received her Bachelor of Science in genetics from the University of Georgia where she was a 14-time NCAA All-American, a two-time NCAA National Gymnastics Champion and was inducted into the University of Georgia’s prestigious Circle of Honor in 2016. After completing her undergraduate work, she earned a Doctor of Medicine degree at The Ohio State University and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation on a full US Navy Health Professionals Scholarship followed by a Surgery internship at the Naval Medical Center San Diego.

Dr. Brown served for two years as a Battalion Surgeon (General Medical Officer) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. In 2006, she deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she served as the Medical Aid Station Director for Combat Logistics Battalion-5. Dr. Brown completed a four-year residency in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego and subsequently joined the Center’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as a faculty orthopaedic surgeon. Her next assignment was as a faculty orthopaedic surgeon at Naval Hospital Bremerton in Bremerton, Washington. In 2012, Dr. Brown was deployed to Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom, where she served as Orthopaedic Surgery Department Head directly supporting the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force led by SEAL Team 4. She is the recipient of many military honors and awards, including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medals. She continues her military service as a Captain (O-6) in the US Navy Reserves.

Dr. Brown is fellowship trained in sports medicine and shoulder & elbow, completing her fellowship at OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, North Carolina. During her fellowship, she was an assistant team physician for the 2016 NFC Champions, Carolina Panthers and athletic departments for University of North Carolina in Charlotte and Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. She is an NFL orthopaedic consultant and has served roles as Head Team Orthopaedic Surgeon for the WNBA Phoenix Mercury, Assistant Team Orthopaedic Surgeon, NBA Phoenix Suns, and an official orthopaedic consultant for Arizona State University.

Dr. Brown is a Diplomate with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a Fellow with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, a Member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Association of North America and is on the board of The Forum. She is also an official medical volunteer and consultant for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Dr. Brown has previously served as a Department of Surgery Chair, Quality Committee Chair and on multiple medical executive boards. She has faculty appointments with Arizona State University and the University of Arizona.

Dr. Brown was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a dedicated advocate and mentor for students and young professionals. She is a University of Georgia Foundation Trustee, a founding member of Georgia Women Give, and serves on the UGA Athletic Association Board. She had the honor of delivering the 2023 UGA Spring Undergraduate Commencement Address. In her free time, she enjoys engaging in her philanthropic passions and cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs with her husband and twin children.

Our Scientific Keynote for this year’s symposium is Joseph Hsu, MD.

Dr. Hsu is Vice Chair for Quality, Associate Dean for Research at Wake Forest School of Medicine, and a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute. Dr. Hsu has over ten years of experience as an orthopaedic traumatologist. He completed his bachelor’s degree at West Point, medical school and residency at Tulane University School of Medicine, and a fellowship in trauma.

He has clinical expertise in surgical interventions, limb salvage, orthopaedic infections, and perioperative pain management. Dr. Hsu’s current research interests include lower extremity disability, multimodal pain management strategies, and decision support guided clinical pathways. He has numerous peer-reviewed publications and experience with clinical consortiums at national and international levels.

Dr. Hsu has worked extensively in both military and civilian sectors to create and implement clinical practice guidelines. He’s helped develop standards for managing compartment syndrome, pelvis fractures, and open injury irrigation for the Joint Theater Trauma System. Currently, he is involved with the AAOS and OTA on guideline development, and serves as Principal Investigator (with Dr. Seymour) on a CDC-funded intervention related to prescription opioids and benzodiazepines (PRIMUM).

Questions or interest in sponsoring this event?
Contact: Maureen.Gaeke@cuanschutz.edu