Alexis Dun Bo-ib Buunaaim | Trauma Orthopaedics | Best Use of Data in Healthcare Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alexis Dun Bo-ib Buunaaim | Trauma Orthopaedics | Best Use of Data in Healthcare Award

Associate Professor in Trauma Orthopaedic Surgery at University for Development Stuides/Tamale Teaching Hospital Ghana

Alexis Dun Bo-Ib Buunaaim is a distinguished academic and clinical professional in the field of orthopaedic surgery with a strong commitment to trauma care, surgical education, and research. He currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the School of Medicine, University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana. With a career that spans over a decade in academic medicine and clinical practice, he has significantly contributed to improving trauma and orthopaedic care in Ghana and the wider sub-Saharan African region. He is particularly noted for his work on surgical site infections, paediatric trauma, and the integration of traditional bonesetters into formal healthcare frameworks.

Profile

Orcid

Education

His academic journey began with a BSc. in Human Biology and continued with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. He later earned a Master in Health Professions Education (MHPE) through a joint program between Maastricht University in the Netherlands and Suez-Canal University, Egypt. Dr. Buunaaim further specialized in orthopaedic surgery, earning a Master of Medicine (M.Med) and a Certificate in Applied Clinical Research from Makerere University, Uganda. He is a Fellow of both the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa, underscoring his cross-regional professional credibility.

Experience

Dr. Buunaaim’s professional career is deeply rooted in academia and clinical leadership. At UDS, he has progressed through the ranks from Assistant Lecturer in 2008 to his current role as Associate Professor since 2022. He has served in multiple capacities including Head of the Trauma Orthopaedic Unit and Head of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. His clinical leadership also extends to national and international initiatives, including being a Clinical Site Coordinator for a national trauma registry and working with AO Alliance-supported projects. Additionally, he has mentored over 30 undergraduate and postgraduate students in clinical and academic research.

Research Interest

His research interests lie primarily in trauma and orthopaedic surgery, with a strong focus on surgical site infections, fracture epidemiology, road traffic injuries, and healthcare systems strengthening in low-resource settings. He has led and collaborated on several multicenter studies, including those funded by the AO Foundation and other international bodies. His studies have addressed practical challenges such as reducing amputations in children due to unsafe traditional practices and improving surgical outcomes through evidence-based interventions. Dr. Buunaaim is also actively involved in health systems research, including equitable access to trauma care and health expenditure analysis.

Award

In recognition of his impactful work, Dr. Buunaaim has received several honors and awards, most notably from the AO Foundation and SICOT. He received training grants to attend advanced courses in fracture management and spine surgery in Dubai and Egypt. His outstanding efforts were acknowledged through a citation from the Paediatric Fracture Solutions of Ghana in 2020. These accolades underscore his role as a leader in advancing surgical education and practice in West Africa.

Publication

Dr. Buunaaim’s research is widely published in high-impact international journals. Notable among his recent works are:

  1. Short-term incidence and risk factors of surgical site infection following trauma orthopaedic surgery in Northern Ghana (2025, International Wound Journal, cited by 12 articles).

  2. Equitable access to quality trauma systems in Ghana: a qualitative study (2025, BMJ Open, cited by 9 articles).

  3. Preoperative Hemoglobin Level Predicts Surgical Site Infections in Trauma Orthopedic Surgery (2025, Journal of Tropical Medicine, cited by 6 articles).

  4. Evaluating catastrophic health expenditures among patients with long bone fractures in Ghana (2025, BMC Health Services Research, cited by 4 articles).

  5. Rising Cases of Motorcycle Wheel Spokes Injuries in a Tertiary Facility in Northern Ghana (2024, Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports, cited by 5 articles).

  6. Epidemiology of Polytrauma at a Teaching Hospital in Northern Ghana (2024, International Journal of Clinical Practice, cited by 3 articles).

  7. Orthopedic postoperative infection profile across 24 countries (2024, Journal of Orthopaedics, cited by 7 articles).

Conclusion

Dr. Alexis Dun Bo-Ib Buunaaim stands out as a leading figure in the landscape of trauma orthopaedics in West Africa. Through his multifaceted roles in education, research, and clinical practice, he continues to shape policy, mentor young professionals, and contribute to global orthopaedic discourse. His scholarly publications and international collaborations reflect a career dedicated to improving surgical outcomes and health equity in resource-limited settings.

Isabelle Germano | Neurosurgery | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Isabelle Germano | Neurosurgery | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States

Dr. Isabelle M. Germano, MD, MBA, FACS, is an internationally recognized leader in neurosurgery, with a particular focus on neuro-oncology, stereotactic neurosurgery, and image-guided brain tumor surgery. As a Tenured Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, she holds joint appointments in Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Oncological Sciences. Over a three-decade academic and clinical career, she has built and led Mount Sinai’s Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program, served as Co-Director of the Radiosurgery Program, and directed multiple fellowships in neuro-oncology. Dr. Germano is also a system-wide Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence and institutional transformation.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Germano began her academic training at the Liceum Classicum M. D’Azeglio, where she studied classical languages before earning her MD with summa cum laude honors from the University of Turin Medical School. She completed a series of competitive and globally renowned post-doctoral fellowships, including neurosurgery at the University of California, San Francisco; epilepsy and functional neurosurgery at the University of Zurich and Montreal Neurological Institute; and chief residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Seeking to bridge clinical science and systems leadership, she earned an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business (2015–2017), complementing her medical expertise with executive knowledge in healthcare economics and strategy.

Experience

Dr. Germano has been an active faculty member at Mount Sinai since 1993, advancing from Assistant Professor to full Tenured Professor by 2009. She has continuously served in critical leadership roles, including Chair of the Multidisciplinary Brain Tumor Board since 2003 and Co-Chair of the Spine Tumor Board since 2007. As Program Director of CAST and UCNS-accredited neuro-oncology fellowships and the CNS Foundation’s International Brain Tumor Fellowship, she has trained numerous global leaders in neurosurgery. Her administrative responsibilities expanded in 2023 with her appointment as System Vice-Chair for Faculty Affairs, following her prior leadership in DEI efforts.

Research Interests

Dr. Germano’s research integrates translational neuroscience, precision medicine, and technology-enabled surgery. Her interests include image-guided brain tumor resection, stem-cell-based therapy for gliomas, molecular oncology, and neurosurgical outcomes research. Recently, her investigations have focused on the intersection of racial disparities and outcomes in glioblastoma treatment, supported by NIH grants. She serves on editorial boards of Neuro-Oncology, Neuro-Oncology Advances, and World Neurosurgery, and frequently leads NIH/NCI and FDA panels. Her grant funding includes RO1s, R03s, and multiple foundation and industry-sponsored research initiatives.

Awards

Dr. Germano has received over 50 prestigious awards recognizing her clinical skill, leadership, innovation, and advocacy. She is the first woman to chair the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors and was named an Aspen Ideas Festival Panelist in 2024. Other honors include the AANS Leksell Radiosurgery Award, the Sundt Distinguished Lectureship at Mayo Clinic (2022), and the Culman Family Award for Physician Communication. She is consistently ranked among “New York SuperDoctors” and “America’s Top Doctors,” and was awarded Castle Connolly’s Hall of Fame distinction. In 2023, she received the Congress of Neurological Surgeons’ Inaugural International Fellowship for global neurosurgical leadership.

Publications

  1. Germano IM et al. “Closing the Gaps: Strategies to Improve Global Neurosurgical Subspecialty Care,” J Neurosurg, 2025, cited by 22 articles.

  2. Germano IM et al. “Navigating the Crossroads: Access to Care among Brain Tumor Patients,” J Neurosurg, 2024, cited by 31 articles.

  3. Germano IM et al. “Charting the Success of Neuronavigation in Brain Tumor Surgery,” J Neurooncol, 2024, cited by 45 articles.

  4. Germano IM et al. “Minimally Invasive Surgery for Metastatic Spine Disease: A Decade Review,” Neuro-Oncology, 2024, cited by 38 articles.

  5. Germano IM et al. “Enhanced Recovery After Brain Tumor Surgery: ERABTS Protocol,” Neurosurgery, 2025, cited by 17 articles.

  6. Germano IM et al. “Survival Predictions for WHO Grade II and III Gliomas via Machine Learning,” NPJ Digital Medicine, 2023, cited by 66 articles.

  7. Germano IM et al. “Adult Neuro-Oncology Trials in the US: 50-Year Review,” Neurooncol Adv, 2024, cited by 29 articles.

Conclusion

Dr. Isabelle M. Germano’s work spans the full arc of academic neurosurgery—clinical care, research, innovation, mentorship, and advocacy. As a physician-scientist and institutional leader, she continues to shape the future of neurosurgery through global engagement, equity-driven research, and technological advancement. Her legacy is distinguished not only by her pioneering work in neuro-oncology but by her commitment to building a more inclusive, effective, and compassionate medical community.