We are proud to share that on October 25, 2025, UBC Orthopaedics’ Dr. Michael Neufeld was honoured with the prestigious James A. Rand Young Investigators Award at the 2025 American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) annual meeting.
This award recognizes a young investigator (fewer than 5 years in practice) who demonstrates clinical excellence in knee-related research, as evidenced by the most outstanding paper that embodies a commitment to the highest standards of orthopaedics knowledge.
This award celebrates the groundbreaking results of a study entitled “Nickel Free” Hypoallergenic versus Standard Cobalt-Chrome Containing Total Knee Arthroplasty: Is there a Difference in Synovial Metal Ions at Minimum 2-Year Follow-up?
The study, authored by Dr. Neufeld and co-authors (detailed below), is the first to analyze metal ion content in the synovial fluid of well-fixed TKA implants, comparing standard and hypoallergenic implants, at least two years after surgery.
About Dr. Michel Neufeld
Dr. Michael Neufeld is a clinical instructor in the Division of Reconstruction & Oncology at the UBC Department of Orthopaedics, specializing in hip and knee replacement, including complex cases and minimally invasive techniques. He is the Director of Research in the Division and has received multiple awards for his research, which focuses on improving outcomes and periprosthetic joint infection. Dr. Neufeld trained internationally at the ENDO-Klinik in Germany and is helping develop a multidisciplinary unit at UBC for advanced infection management.
Co-authors
Dr. Lisa Howard
Assistant Professor, Division of Lower Limb Reconstruction & Oncology, UBC Department of Orthopaedics
Dr. Lisa Howard specializes in complex hip and knee arthroplasty reconstruction. Her primary research focus is on alternative pain control methods after arthroplasty, with a focus on opioid reduction as well as the creation of a complications database in arthroplasty.
Dr. Nelson Greidanus
Assistant Professor, Division of Lower Limb Reconstruction & Oncology, UBC Department of Orthopaedics
Dr. Nelson Greidanus is an orthopaedic surgeon at UBC specializing in complex hip and knee replacement and reconstruction. He focuses on minimally invasive procedures, rapid recovery, and managing complications such as infections and fractures.
Dr. Bassam Masri
Professor, Division of Lower Limb Reconstruction & Oncology, UBC Department of Orthopaedics
Dr. Bassam Masri is a Professor of Orthopaedics at UBC, specializing in hip and knee reconstruction and musculoskeletal oncology. His research focuses on surgical techniques and outcomes, and he is actively involved in training surgeons worldwide.
Dr. Donald Garbuz
Professor, Division of Lower Limb Reconstruction & Oncology, UBC Department of Orthopaedics
Dr. Donald Garbuz is a Professor and Head of the Division of Lower Limb Reconstruction and Oncology at UBC. He specializes in hip and knee replacement, with a focus on complex revision surgeries.
Dr. Arashdeep Sidhu
Resident, UBC Department of Orthopaedics
Dr. Sidhu joined the UBC Department of Orthopaedics residency program in 2021. He won a 2024 UBC Orthopaedic Research Day Award for his poster “Nickel Free‚ Hypoallergenic versus Standard Cobalt-Chrome Containing Total Knee Replacement: Is There a Difference in Synovial Metal Ions at Minimum 1-Year Follow-up?” supervised by Dr. Michael Neufeld.
Dr. Gerard Sheridan
Former Clinical Fellow, Adult Reconstruction, Hip and Knee, UBC Department of Orthopaedics
Clinical Fellow with the Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York
Dr. Gerard Sheridan’s interests include complex limb reconstruction, deformity correction, limb salvage, amputation reconstruction, and limb lengthening. He has completed fellowships at UBC and Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast, in primary and revision total hip and knee arthroplasty.