JBJS recently welcomed Antonia F. Chen, MD, MBA as Deputy Editor for Adult Reconstruction. Dr. Chen is an orthopaedic surgeon in Boston, Massachusetts. She also co-hosts the new JBJS podcast, Your Case Is On Hold with Dr. Andrew Schoenfeld.
What do you enjoy in your role as Deputy Editor?
I enjoy reading the latest and greatest in orthopaedic arthroplasty literature, and my role as Deputy Editor allows me to read studies before they are in print and solicit input from reviewers.
How did you become interested in orthopaedics and orthopaedic research?
I became interested in orthopaedics when I was a first-year medical student. When we were in the anatomy lab, an orthopaedic surgeon came and taught us the hand anatomy. In the summer between the first and second year of medical school, I did research with an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in knee replacements and I saw the impact that research had to advance the field of orthopaedics. I’ve been hooked ever since!
What do you like about co-hosting Your Case Is On Hold?
The podcast allows me to share my love and analysis of orthopaedic research with others, while discussing important research topics with my colleague, Dr. Andrew Schoenfeld. It’s been a fun way to read JBJS more critically every episode, and reminds me that I still have much room to grow as a researcher!
Is there a particular moment or highlight of your career that stands out as most gratifying to you?
Being Program Chair of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons was a highlight of my career. It was a wonderful combination of bringing cutting-edge scientific research to the forefront of the arthroplasty world while educating trainees and attendings.
In your opinion, what is the most important issue or challenge facing the orthopaedic community at this time?
As arthroplasty surgeons, even with advances in implant technology, we still haven’t figured out how to implant the perfect total hip or total knee replacement so that every patient is satisfied. The key is personalized medicine — what parameters or implants should be used for each patient to optimize outcomes?
What advice do you have for prospective authors?
It is ideal to do research that you are passionate about. When submitting manuscripts, try to anticipate what readers and reviewers will say about your article, and read your article like a reviewer would. That way, you can express your research in a way to reach your target audience.
Aside from orthopaedic manuscripts, what have you been reading/listening to/watching lately?
I am normally a fan of fiction, so I’m currently reading Gone Girl. However, I also like biographies and recently read Trever Noah’s Born a Crime.
