MenuAaron M. O’ Brien, MD – Profile
Honors & Awards
2020
Named One of the 2020 Utah's Best Doctors for Patient Experience Excellence in Orthopedic Surgery by MedicalMarks
2009
Mid America Orthopedic Association Annual Conference Best Poster Award
2008
Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society
2006
Medical Student Research Fellowship
2009
Graduated summa cum laude
2005 – 2009
Medical Educational Opportunity Program Grant
2001 – 2005
Dean’s List
2001 – 2005
Exemplary Scholarship: 4 year full tuition and fees
Professional Experience
Research:
2012-2014
Research project. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Department of Orthopedics and the Spinal and Thoracic Treatment and Research Center at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Supervised by Ajeya Joshi, M.D. Investigating the management of Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome in patients with Jeune’s Syndrome using the Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib. Was presented at the Alamo Orthopedic Society’s annual meeting in April 2013 and the Roy Davis research competition in April 2014.
2010-2013
Research project. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Department of Orthopedics and the Spinal and Thoracic Treatment and Research Center at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Supervised by Ajeya Joshi, M.D. Investigating the effects of upper extremity function after placement of the Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib. Research placed on hold for logistical reasons.
2008-2009
Research project. University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. Supervised by John Callaghan M.D. Investigated the ability to accurately predict knee implant size from the patient’s height alone. Poster presented and award given at the Mid America Orthopedic Association annual meeting in April 2009. Won “Best Poster Award”
2006-2007
Student Research Fellowship. University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma. Supervised by Kent Choi, M.D. Studied the effects of obesity in trauma patients related to increased mortality from infectious and septic complications. Was presented at the 2nd Annual Academic Surgical Congress, Phoenix, AZ in Feb 2007.
2003-2005
Research Assistant. Utah Valley University, Department of Biology. Supervised by Dr. Mark Bracken PhD. Investigated high altitude sickness and the differences in hemoglobin among those who experience sickness verses those who do not.
2011-2013
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Medicine Musculoskeletal physical exam instructor
2008
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine USMLE Step One Tutor
2006
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Biochemistry Tutor
2006
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Intro to Medical Education Anatomy Tutor
Employment:
1/2015 – 6/2015
Orthopedic Surgeon: University Hospital; Cleveland, Ohio Physician in orthopedic clinic.
2014 – 2015
Orthopedic Surgeon: Locums Tenens Position; Enid, Oklahoma Covered orthopedic trauma call at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center
2003 – 2005
O’Brien Painting and Drywall Repair; Provo, Utah
Owner
Started business during undergraduate studies. Responsibilities included: managing employees, estimating, scheduling, construction work, accounting, marketing, etc.
Owner
Started business during undergraduate studies. Responsibilities included: managing employees, estimating, scheduling, construction work, accounting, marketing, etc.
Publications & Abstracts
- Royer N, O’Brien AM, Yang JZ, Choi, K. A potential etiology of increased mortality among obese trauma patients. Poster presented at Medical Student Research Day, Iowa City, IA in Sept 2006 and at the 2nd Annual Academic Surgical Congress, Phoenix, AZ in Feb 2007.
- Flint J, O’Brien A, Callaghan J, Johnston R. Can Total Knee Arthroplasty Implant Size Be As Accurately Predicted By Patient Height As By Templating? Poster presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Mid-America Orthopedic Association and won an award for best poster.
- O’Brien A, Cordell D, Joshi A. The Effect of Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR) on Upper Extremity Function in Children. In Progress
- O’Brien A, Roth MK, Athreya H, Reinker K, Koeck W, Patil V, Trevino H, Simmons J, Joshi AP, Smith MD, Campbell RM. Management of Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome in Patients with Jeune Syndrome using the 70 mm Radius Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib. Presentation at the Alamo Orthopedic Society annual meeting in April 2013 and the Roy Davis Research competition in April 2014. Published in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics January 2015.
- O’Brien A, Sferra J, Berkowitz M. Arthrodesis: a viable treatment option for hallux rigidus and failed 1st MTP joint arthroplasty. Orthopedic Insights: Cleveland Clinic. Fall 2014 publication.
Book Chapters
- O’Brien A, Sferra J, Berkowitz M. Midfoot Fractures and Dislocations; Chapman’s Orthopedic Surgery 6th 2016. Publication pending
- O’Brien A, Sferra J, Berkowitz M. Forefoot Fractures and Dislocations; Chapman’s Orthopedic Surgery 6th 2016. Publication pending
Volunteer & Extracurricular Activities
2012
Youth Soccer Coach; Volunteer Coached a 4-5 year old youth soccer team
2012
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo; volunteer Team physician for the rodeo participants for 2 weeks
2011
UTHSCSA School of Medicine physical exam instructor Help to teach the musculoskeletal exam to 2nd year medical students.
2008
Iowa City Flood Relief efforts; volunteer Helped organize and participate in sandbagging and cleanup projects.
2007
Tar Wars; volunteer Participated in this national program which involved visiting 5th grade elementary school classes and educating the children about the harmful effects of tobacco.
2006 -2007
University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine Mentor Program; mentorServed as a mentor to two incoming first year medical students by answering their questions and giving them support.
2006 -2007
Honor Council; member Participated in a council made up of 2 representatives from each class and 2-3 faculty members with the responsibility of enforcing and investigating breaches of the honor code and making recommendations to the college of medicine.
2006
Deeded Body Ceremony; volunteerParticipated in this ceremony, which honored those who donated their deceased bodies for educational purposes.
2005 – 2008
Domestic Violence Intervention Program; volunteer Helped organize and participated in an annual fundraiser, visited and played with children affected by domestic violence, and delivered food donated by local businesses.
2002 – 2005
Utah Valley University, Future Doctors of America Club; founder and president Organized meetings and speakers, fundraisers, service projects, and recruited premedical students.
2002 – 2005
Project Vision, One to One; mentor Served as a mentor to an at-risk youth which involved weekly activities that helped him gain valuable skills.
2002 – 2005
Utah Valley Regional Medical Center; ; volunteer Participated in various duties in the emergency department, pediatric inpatient unit, and the ICU.
1997 – 1999
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; missionary Lived in Hungary for 2 years where responsibilities included proselyting, teaching English, and participating in multiple service projects.
Professional Memberships & Certifications
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
2005 – 2009
Iowa Surgical Interest Society
2005 – 2009
Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group
2005 – 2007
Iowa Medical Student Research Club
Local
2009 – Present
Texas Orthopedic Association
2009 – Present
Alamo Orthopedic Society
2009 – Present
Bexar County Medical Association
National
2015 – Present
Utah State Orthopedic Society
2014 – Present
American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society
2009 – Present
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery
2008 – Present
Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society
2006 – 2007
American College of Emergency Medicine Physicians
2006 – 2007
American College of Physicians
2003 – 2005
American Medical Student Association
CME COURSES
4/2015
Arthrex Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellow’s Course Naples, FL 2 day cadaver course with instruction from leading surgeons in the field
3/2015
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery Annual Meeting: Las Vegas, NV One week instructional course
11/2014
Wright Medical Foot and Ankle Course: : New York, NY 2 day instructional course
9/2014
Tornier Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellow’s Course: Baltimore, MD; Course chairman: Mark Myerson, M.D. 2 day cadaver course
5/2014
Miller Orthopedic Review Course: : Denver, CO One week instructional course over all Orthopedic topics
3/2014
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery Annual Meeting: : New Orleans, LA One week instructional course
2/2014
Smith and Nephew Cadaver Course: Memphis, TN 2 day surgical exposures cadaver course
1/2014
International Congress of Joint Replacement Winter Hip and Knee Course: Vail, CO One week instructional and cadaver course on hip and knee replacements
11/2013
Accumed Foot and Ankle Course: Houston, TX 1 day instructional and cadaver course
3/2013
AO Advanced Trauma Course: Sun Valley, ID One week instructional course
9/2012
Stryker Foot and Ankle Fellow’s Course: : Denver, CO 2 day cadaver course
11/2011
AO Basic Trauma Course: Las Vegas, ID One week instructional course
