2025 JRGOS Claudia L. Thomas, MD Award

The J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society announces Carol Morris, MD as the recipient of the 2025 JRGOS Claudia L. Thomas, MD Award! The recipient of this prestigious award demonstrates tenacity, resilience, and grit in the pursuit of excellence in the field. In the spirit of Dr. Thomas’ contributions, they also lead by example and are well respected and valued among the Orthopaedic surgery community.

Carol Morris, MD, the 2025 JRGOS Clauda L. Thomas, MD Award Recipient

Dr. Morris is the Chief of Orthopaedic Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She completed her orthopaedic surgery residency at Boston Medical Center before pursuing a fellowship in Musculoskeletal Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Dr. Morris’ clinical focus includes primary bone cancer, metastatic bone disease, soft tissue sarcoma, and neurofibromatosis. Dr. Morris is the first Black woman to serve as President of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society and is the JRGOS liaison to Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (CORR).

Wakenda Tyler, MD, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia University and Chief of the Orthopaedic Oncology Service, nomination stated, “It is my honor to nominate Dr. Carol Morris for the Claudia L. Thomas, MD Award. Carol has been a mentor to dozens of medical students, residents, fellows and attending surgeons throughout her career. I personally consider her one of my most important mentors. She is accomplished beyond what I can put into words, but just to say a few, she rose to Chief of Musculoskeletal Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, a role that has never been held by a woman or a underrepresented minority. And she managed to do this not as a cut throat individual willing to knock down anyone in her way. But, quite the opposite. She showed integrity and resilience throughout her career and always raising others up around her. She is an amazing leader in the field of orthopaedic surgical oncology, also being the first Black Woman to become president of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, our premier tumor society in North America. I could go on, but one only needs to look at her CV to recognize her level of excellence all while remaining humble and giving of herself to others.”

Dr. Tyler is a JRGOS Board Member, JRGOS Scientific Committee Member, and 2025 Co-Chair of the JRGOS Annual Resident and Medical Student Research Competition.

Dr. Owusu-Akyaw, an Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Specialist at OrthoVirginia, stated, “It is my pleasure to nominate Dr. Carol Morris for the JRGOS Claudia L. Thomas Award. Dr. Morris is an accomplished orthopaedic surgeon whose career reflects exceptional dedication to advancing the field through leadership, research, and compassionate patient care. As Chief of the Orthopaedic Surgery Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), Dr. Morris exemplifies the qualities that this award celebrates: groundbreaking achievement and unwavering commitment to advancing the orthopaedic field.

Dr. Morris’ tenure at Johns Hopkins Hospital marked significant growth in the Orthopaedic Oncology program, showcasing her ability to lead and expand clinical and academic productivity. Additionally, her role as the liaison between the J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society (JRGOS) and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (CORR) underscores her dedication to fostering collaboration and amplifying diverse voices in orthopaedic research and practice.

Dr. Morris’s clinical expertise includes primary bone cancer, metastatic bone disease, soft tissue sarcoma, and neurofibromatosis, all of which highlight her comprehensive approach to treating complex orthopaedic conditions via a multi-disciplinary approach. Her extensive contributions to the field through more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, numerous chapters, and international lectures emphasize her commitment to advancing orthopaedic knowledge and patient care. Dr. Morris’s leadership extends into influential roles within key professional organizations, such as her presidency ofthe Musculoskeletal Tumor Society. Her commitment to personalized, multidisciplinary patient care and her ongoing efforts to bridge communities and improve health equity illustrate her invaluable impact on the field.”

Dr. Owusu-Akyaw is a JRGOS Board Member, CORR Deputy Editor, and Chair of the 2025 JRGOS MedTech Symposium.

Join JRGOS in congratulating Dr. Morris on this distinguished accomplishment.

Below find Dr. Morris’ recent publications.

JRGOS Claudia L. Thomas Award Committee Co-Chairs:

Surrenthia Parker, MD

Rinelda Horton, MD

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