The Orthopaedic Trauma Service has dedicated and experienced research support staff including three research nurses and a research assistant available to support the program. Research staff assist Attendings and Fellows with all research tasks, including literature searches; protocol development; budget preparation; IRB submissions and coordination; preparation of grant applications; medical record and radiograph collection for review; consenting of research subjects; scheduling of research studies (radiographic or laboratory studies); data collection, including completion of patient outcome measurements; photo and/or video documentation; data entry, validation and formatting; and documentation for IRBs and study sponsors.
     A trauma registry is coordinated by a Research Nurse. Admission variables are documented for patients who consent to be included in the registry, including fracture pattern, mechanism of injury, comorbidities, and injury and treatment variables. The registry is utilized to track the volume and type of fracture patterns treated, and to identify potential subjects for specific research projects.
     The Florida Orthopaedic Institute established a non-profit research foundation dedicated to improving the treatments for an array of orthopaedic problems. FOI Research Foundation scientists are committed to improving orthopaedics by contributing knowledge to the scientific community by conducting basic science, biomechanical and clinical studies. The research conducted at the Foundation to date has been internationally recognized, received funding from the OREF, and has been awarded various scientific awards.
     The research laboratory is located at the main FOI campus and is led by Sergio Gutierrez, PhD. Sergio is currently Director of the Phillip Spiegel Orthopaedic Research Laboratory where he is helping develop the Biomechanics Lab into a world-renowned scientific institution. He has numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, podium and poster presentations in national and international conferences as well as a co-authorship in a book chapter. Sergio is also an Affiliate Associate Professor at the USF Medical School where he is helping to train future orthopaedic surgeons through an affiliation with the Orthopaedic Residency program.