Honors and Awards

Oral Examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2011

Chosen as a member of Best Doctors

2011 - 2021

Charles S. Neer Award from America Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons

2019

Faculty Teaching Award from the UC Irvine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

2017, 2016

Weiland Medal for Outstanding Research in Hand Surgery ($20,000) from American Society for Surgery of the Hand

2016

Vernon Thompson Award from Western Orthopaedic Association (Role : Mentor)

2016

Best Student Paper from International Society for Ligament & Tendon Research (Role : Mentor)

2016

Orthopedic Institute for Children Resident Award from California Orthopaedic Association

2016

Joseph H. Boyes Award - Best Scientific Presentation at Annual Meeting from American Society for Surgery of the Hand

2015

Best Scientific Exhibit “Cost-effective Arthroscopic Surgery Training and Assessment Tool for Resident Education” from American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery

2015

Orthopaedic Research & Education Foundation Resident Award from California Orthopaedic Association ($2000)

2015

Best Scientific Exhibit “Cost-effective Surgical Simulation” from American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery

2014

Accelerated Merit Increase Professor Step II to Professor Step IV

2013

15^th International Symposium on Neural Regeneration Poster Finalist Award in recognition of excellence in research "Schwann Cell Derived Desert Hedgehog provides a Neuroprotective Effect against the Mechanical Stimuli from Compressive Neuropathies"

2013

American British Canadian (ABC) Traveling Fellowship from American Orthopaedic Association

2013

Best Basic Science Paper from American Society of Peripheral Nerve

2013

Lloyd Taylor Award from Western Orthopaedic Association (Role : Mentor)

2012

AAHS Outstanding Paper from American Association for Hand Surgery

2012

ASPN Outstanding Paper from American Society of Peripheral Nerve

2011

Orthopaedic Hospital Resident Award from California Orthopaedic Association ($1000)

2011

Lloyd Taylor Award from Western Orthopaedic Association ($2000) (Role : Primary Mentor)

2010

1^st Place Research Award Resident/Fellow from Cervical Spine Research Society ($2000) (Role : Primary Mentor)

2008

Sterling Bunnell Traveling Fellowship in Hand Surgery from American Society for Surgery of the Hand

2007 - 2008

Accelerated Merit Increase Assoc. Step II to Professor Step I

2007

Kappa Delta Young Investigator Award ($20,000) from AAOS/ORS/OREF

2006

UCI nominee for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund for the Clinical Scientist Award in Translational Research

2006

Finalist Russel Hibbs Award from Scoliosis Research Society

2005

Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Fostering Undergraduate Research

2005

Marshall Urist Young Investigator Award ($5000) from Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons

2005

Accelerated Merit Increase Asst. Prof. Step V to Assoc. Step II

2005

Selected to be Co-Councilor for Zeta Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha (UCI)

2004

Selected for ASSH Young Leaders Program

2004

AOA Emerging Leaders Program

2004

Neer Award Finalist from American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons

2004

Best Shoulder/Elbow Poster at the AAOS

2004

Physician/Scientist Award ($5000) from University of California, Irvine

2003

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research

2003

Accelerated Merit Increase Asst. Prof. Step II to IV

2003

Selected as a member of Advisory Board to the Arthritis Foundation

2001

University of California ARISE Award for Academic Achievement

2001

North American Traveling Fellowship – Alternate

2000

NIH Career Development Award

2000

AO/ASIF Orthopaedic Faculty Member – Selected to be a member of the North American Musculoskeletal Trauma Education Committee

1999

AO International fellowship to study with Drs. Uhli Buehler and Diego Fernandez

1998

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

1991

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Research Endeavors for the paper (“A Preliminary Study of Ligamentous Structures in the Occiputo-Atlanto-Axial Region with an Evaluation of Three Posterior Fusion Devices”)

1990

Letter of Commendation for Academic Excellence in Medical School

1989

Summa Cum Laude Graduate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

1990

Elected to Alpha Epsilon Delta Junior Honor Medical Society - Rensselaer Chapter

1989