TRAUMATOLOGY
CLINICAL PRACTICE
The Orthopaedic Trauma Service covers the state ’ s largest and only ACS-verified Level 1 Trauma and Tertiary Care Referral Center , UAB Hospital . The Orthopaedic Trauma Service provides specialized orthopaedic trauma care 24 / 7 , 365 days a year . From ankle and hip fractures to polytraumatized patients with multiple complex fractures of the pelvis and acetabulum , state-of-the-art procedures – including some developed here at UAB – are utilized to maximize functional recovery and outcome .
MEET THE TEAM
• Jon Quade , MD , serves as division director for the Orthopaedic Trauma Service .
• Clay Spitler , MD , serves as vice chairman of Clinical Affairs for the department and fellowship director for Orthopaedic Trauma .
• Joseph Johnson , MD , serves as director of Clinical Research for the department .
• Abhinav Agarwal , MD , joined our team in August 2021 and is a welcome addition who rounds out a robust and dedicated faculty .
• Chris Ford , CRNP , and Rachel Gordon , CRNP , are our acute care inpatient nurse practitioners , caring for patients from the trauma bay to discharge .
• Debby Forester , CRNP , is our clinic-based nurse practitioner , running her own clinic and supporting the faculty clinics .
• Amy Blish , RN ; Amber Booth , RN ; Karla Corbitt , RN ; and Angy Terpo , RN , serve as clinical care coordinators , interacting directly with patients and managing ongoing care on an outpatient basis .
• Katie Latham , RN , and Ellen Pitt , RN , staff our dedicated Orthopaedic Trauma Call Center ( 205-801-8630 ), triaging and answering any questions patients may have .
CLINICAL EXCELLENCE : TRAUMATOLOGY
EDUCATION
The Orthopaedic Trauma Service trains one fellow per year in the advanced surgical techniques , approaches , and fixation strategies needed for the most complex injuries . The service sees resident rotations of eight weeks on service , which are spent training residents in operative management of fractures , pre- and post-operative management , and rehabilitation protocols . The service also educates PA , NP , and RNFA students , and it hosts rotating medical students from UAB and other institutions . Faculty are invited to teach multiple nationally-based orthopaedic trauma courses throughout the year , including virtual sessions during COVID .
RESEARCH
The Orthopaedic Trauma Service continues to be a leader in clinical research production within the department . A strong Research Fellowship program bolsters the clinical research efforts . Publication sites including The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma , Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery , Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery , and other renowned journals . Presentations on national stages have continued to recognize research conducted by our team .
The access line for same-day or next-day appointments is ( 205 ) 801-8630 .
FACULTY & APPS
• Jon Quade , MD
• Clay Spitler , MD
• Joseph Johnson , MD
• Abhinav Agarwal , MD
• Chris Ford , CRNP
• Rachel Gordon , CRNP
• Debby Forester , CRNP
• Amy Blish , RN
• Amber Booth , RN
• Karla Corbitt , RN
• Angy Terpo , RN
HIGHLIGHTS ( FY2022 )
• Patient Visits : 6,224
• Surgeries Performed : 3,037
• Research Projects : 26
• Publications and Presentations : 31
• Student Observers : 16
• Learners Mentored : 4
CLINIC LOCATIONS
The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital uabmedicine . org / referortho 15