USU Faculty Lead Discussions on Advancing Warrior Athlete Musculoskeletal Injury Care, USU Musculoskeletal Hub Takes Shape

USU experts played a pivotal role in a recent forum addressing musculoskeletal injuries, charting future strategies for readiness and well-being, and laying the groundwork for a new Musculoskeletal Hub.

USU faculty led discussions at a forum on advancing musculoskeletal injury care for service

members, detailing progress on the new USU Musculoskeletal Hub and future initiatives.

(Photo courtesy of MIRROR)

April 25, 2025 by USU's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

The Uniformed Services University (USU) recently hosted a significant forum that convened military health professionals, researchers and leaders to tackle the ongoing challenge of musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) among service members. 

Presented by the Center for Rehabilitation Sciences Research (CRSR), and Musculoskeletal Injury Rehabilitation Research for Operational Readiness (MIRROR) program within the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at USU, and co-hosted by AMSUS, the AMSUS-USU Musculoskeletal Injury Care for the Warrior Athlete Thought Leadership Forum underscored the enduring importance of this area of military medicine. The expertise shared by USU faculty and other leading voices continues to drive critical advancements in optimizing MSKI care for the readiness and well-being of the force.

The forum served as a platform for outlining the current landscape of MSKI care across the Department of Defense and identifying key areas for future focus, including bone stress injuries, women's health, mental health, and crucial partnerships with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  

A significant outcome highlighted at the forum was the introduction of the upcoming USU Musculoskeletal (MSK) Hub, an initiative poised to become a central point for research, education, and dissemination of best practices in MSKI care. Dr. Jenny Yuan, assistant professor in PM&R and MIRROR director, opened the forum with an introduction to this highly anticipated hub, outlining its focus on these key areas and the next steps for implementation. The mission of the MSK Hub, according to Yuan, is "to optimize the musculoskeletal health and readiness of the warfighter through innovative research, comprehensive education, and timely dissemination of evidence-based practices."  

Dr. Jenny Yuan introduces USU's upcoming Musculoskeletal Hub at the AMSUS-USU

Musculoskeletal Injury Care for the Warrior Athlete Thought Leadership Forum. (Photo courtesy

of MIRROR)

According to Yuan, plans include engaging with the new USU School of Medicine (SOM) associate dean for research to refine the scope and immediate next steps. These steps will include an inventory of ongoing MSK research at USU, establishing a centralized repository of educational initiatives and recordings, and the future addition of representatives from graduate student, undergraduate medical education, and graduate medical education programs, along with various departments and centers. This forward-looking development demonstrates USU's commitment to sustained efforts in this field.  

USU faculty members played a central role throughout the forum, sharing their expertise on a wide range of critical topics. Dr. Francis O’Connor, professor of Military and Emergency Medicine and medical director for USU’s Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), discussed the burden of heat on MSKIs and exertional illness, highlighting how rising temperatures and heat stress increase injury risk.  

Army Maj. (Dr.) Gary Helton, assistant professor in PM&R and assistant chief of Sports Medicine at Moncrief Army Health Clinic at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, contributed to a review of current bone stress injury concepts, highlighting their multifactorial nature and calling for improved screening and tailored strategies to mitigate risk.  

Innovative research with future implications was also presented by USU faculty. Dr. Juanita Anders, professor of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, and Neuroscience, shared a research keynote on the use of photobiomodulation therapy to enhance military readiness. Anders stressed the need for independent validation of manufacturer data to ensure effective treatment recommendations.  

Discussions on specific injury areas also featured prominent USU voices. Dr. Marin Smith, assistant professor in PM&R and senior research physical therapist with The Geneva Foundation, reviewed musculoskeletal injuries of the shoulder, exploring their high prevalence and impact among U.S. military personnel.  

Nay Cmdr. (Dr.) Sean Simmons, assistant professor of Family Medicine and assistant program director for the National Capital Consortium Pain Medicine Fellowship, addressed low back pain in the military population, outlining the need for individualized treatment plans and a shift toward functional recovery.  

Navy Lt. Cmdr. (Dr.) Sean Lacey, assistant professor of PM&R and department head for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at the U.S. Naval Academy, also engaged in discussions about implementing improvement efforts in various musculoskeletal care settings.  

Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Leigh Anne Lechanski, assistant professor in PM&R and commander of Barquist Army Health Clinic, presented on pelvic health rehabilitation, examining the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of pelvic floor disorders on service members.  

The interconnectedness of mental health and MSKIs was a key theme, with Dr. Gloria Park, assistant professor in Military Emergency Medicine and CHAMP director of Performance Psychology, providing additional insights on pain management, sleep, and connections to MSKIs as a panelist.  

Looking to the future, the impact of the forum continues to unfold. According to Yuan, USU has been invited by retired Brig. Gen. (Dr.) John Cho, the executive director and CEO of AMSUS, to support planning of MSKI breakout sessions at next year's AMSUS annual meeting. This invitation provides an opportunity to present USU as a leader at the forefront of MSK care.

Though the forum itself was a single event, the knowledge exchanged and the strategic alignments made, significantly shaped by the contributions of USU faculty and other leading experts, continue to resonate and inform ongoing efforts to advance MSKI care and enhance the health and readiness of service members. The insights gained are actively driving forward research, education, and clinical practice improvements across the military health system and in partnership with the VA.

As Yuan states, "The AMSUS-USU MSKI Thought Leadership Forum presented a comprehensive, full-spectrum commitment to the care of our warrior athletes – from the demands of service to navigating the complexities of transition, enriched by multidisciplinary insights and perspectives across the Services. This collaborative event underscores the profound impact of medicine and science on those who serve and protect our nation."