Our research focuses on improving outcomes in patients with musculoskeletal conditions. We employ a variety of methods including prospective cohort studies, traditional randomized controlled trials, pragmatic trials, and a clinical registry to address our scientific questions.
Information on our spine registry can be found on our Spinal Column Surgical Quality and Outcomes Research website: https://ww2.mc.vanderbilt.edu/scsqo/
Currently we are involved in projects within the following areas:
- Chronic Pain
- Spine
- Sports Medicine
- Trauma
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Director
Kristin R. Archer, PhD, DPTAssociate Professor and Vice Chair of Research
Dr. Archer conducts independent research into outcomes after orthopaedic surgery and musculoskeletal injury. Her program focuses on the assessment of psychosocial risk factors and implementation of rehabilitation interventions through comparative effectiveness research. She is the author of over 90 peer reviewed papers and has been funded by the NIH, DoD, and PCORI. She is a member of the Executive and Science Committees for the DoD-funded Major Extremity Trauma and Rehabilitation Research Consortium (METRC). She is also the Director of the Coordinating center for the Quality Outcomes Database (QOD), a national clinical registry for neurosurgical procedures and practice patterns. Dr. Archer holds a doctoral degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a masters and doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Colorado.
Faculty
Rogelio A. Coronado, PT, PhDResearch Assistant Professor
Dr. Coronado is a collaborating investigator on several research trials examining the comparative effectiveness of behavioral interventions for improving musculoskeletal pain outcomes and postoperative recovery. He also conducts research focused on the implementation of psychosocial strategies within physical rehabilitation in patients with musculoskeletal pain. He has published 35 peer-reviewed papers and received funding as principal investigator from the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, Cervical Spine Research Society, and Foundation for Physical Therapy. Dr. Coronado received his doctoral degree from the University of Florida and his masters in physical therapy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Jacquelyn Pennings, PhD, PStat®Research Assistant Professor
Dr. Pennings conducts statistical analysis and assists with research design and data management for research projects in the Department of Orthopaedics. Her research interests include the relationship between mental health factors and outcomes such as obesity, general and physical health, and health care utilization such as hospital re-admission. Specific statistical areas of expertise include structural equation modeling, factor and cluster analysis, linear and hierarchical/mixed models, and nonparametric analyses including logistic regression techniques.
Staff
Susan Vanston, MS, PTResearch Physical Therapist
Susan is a research physical therapist in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. She delivers interventions for numerous clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of psychosocial-based rehabilitation. She has worked with a wide variety of patients in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. Currently, Susan works with patients who have had spine and ACL surgery, traumatic orthopedic injuries, and who are returning home after critical care hospitalization. She introduces patients to a variety of physical and cognitive behavioral strategies to help them with their recovery. Susan is a licensed physical therapist with over 21 years of experience.
Claudia Davidson, MPHClinical/Translational Research Coordinator III
Claudia is a project manager for several multi-center randomized controlled trials. She oversees a DoD-funded trial examining the use of Cognitive Behavioral-based Physical Therapy (CBPT) in patients who have traumatic lower extremity injury. She also manages the SPINE CARE trial which is investigating healthcare spending and clinical outcomes in patients with acute spine pain. Claudia holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine with a background in health services and epidemiological research on access and quality care for people living in vulnerable situations.
Shannon Block, BSClinical Translational Research Coordinator III
Shannon is a research coordinator for multiple studies investigating the effectiveness of telehealth interventions following orthopaedic surgery. Her primary focus is on recovery following ACL reconstruction in athletes, but she also works on several projects aimed at improving recovery after spine surgery. In addition, Shannon coordinates a DoD sponsored trial to develop and validate an instrument assessing resiliency following neuromusculoskeletal injury in active duty Service Members. She graduated with a degree in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience from the University of Michigan.
Payton Robinette, BSResearch Analyst
Rishabh Gupta, BSResearch Analyst
Alexander O'Brien, BS
Research Analyst
Sarah Whitaker, BS
Research Analyst
Carol Brannon, BS, MLASProgram Manager
Carol has worked in research administration at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for over 16 years. She joined the Archer Research Team in the Department of Orthopaedics two years ago to oversee contract and budgetary matters, hiring personnel and to help develop and execute new and ongoing programs. Carol is an excellent contact for questions about all aspects of the teams research. She has a bachelor's degree in Plant and Soil Science from Southern Illinois University and a Masters degree in Liberal Arts and Science from Vanderbilt.
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CURRENT
Katie Gonzales PAST
Rachita Gupta, Vanderbilt University
Class of 2020
Robert Freitag, Vanderbilt University
Class of 2021
Elizabeth Nolan, University of Virginia
Class of 2022
Michael O'Brien, Vanderbilt University
Class of 2019
Emily Oleisky, Bowdoin College
Class of 2020
1st Place Poster Presentation at Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy 2018
Emma Sterling, Vanderbilt University
Class of 2019
Tony Asher, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Medical Student, Class of 2021
Steven Patalano, Vanderbilt University
Class of 2018
Lizzy Blade, Harpeth Hall High School
Class of 2018
Mackenzie L. Bird, Vanderbilt University
Class of 2016
