Meet-and-greet event connects bioengineering faculty with orthopedic surgeons to explore opportunities for collaboration 

“Connecting Minds,” a networking event at the Knight Campus, drew more than a dozen doctors and executives from the Slocum Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine to campus to connect with faculty from the Department of Bioengineering .

The gathering gave scientists and surgeons the opportunity to introduce themselves and their areas of expertise. Bioengineering faculty members led tours of the Knight Campus and shared architectural renderings of Building 2, which is currently under construction. Danielle Benoit, Lorry Lokey Chair of the Department of Bioengineering, discussed her ambitions for the future including the hope that Slocum surgeons and Knight Campus researchers might soon find ways to partner on biomedical projects.

“We are going to grow by 15 or so more faculty over the next 5-7 years to fill our second building,” Benoit said. “There will be ample opportunity for synergistic collaboration, and the potential impact of this relationship is very exciting.”

The event sparked conversations on the Knight Campus Terrace at the intersections of sports medicine and tissue engineering, joint replacement and protein engineering, and orthopedic trauma and regenerative rehabilitation.

Brick Lantz, a Slocum doctor specializing in arthroscopic shoulder surgery and joint replacement of the knee, spoke of the importance of a Slocum and Knight Campus partnership for the Slocum Research and Education Foundation . The organization, which Lantz oversees as president, has a mission of improving musculoskeletal care across the lifespan through community-based research, education, and collaboration.

Slocum CEO Todd Salnas echoed Benoit’s support for future partnerships. Since stepping into the role of CEO in July, Salnas has emphasized the value of working with teams.

“Slocum is known for its long-standing reputation in advanced orthopedics. Slocum’s Research and Education Foundation, is looking forward to partnering with the Knight Campus to ensure our local community and region continue to have access to innovative orthopedic care.”

 — July 21, 2023