Joseph Salem Hernandez

Biography:

Joseph Salem is a rising fourth-year medical student at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine with a strong background in orthopaedic surgery research. Of Puerto Rican and Lebanese descent, he brings a diverse perspective to his work in musculoskeletal health. His work focuses on clinical and imaging-related outcomes in distal radius fractures, the efficacy and long-term recovery of surgical interventions for lateral epicondylitis, and the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Early-Onset Scoliosis Self-Report Questionnaire. He has presented his research at national and international conferences, with key contributions in robotic-assisted total joint arthroplasty, surgical burnout in Hispanic populations, and cross-cultural adaptations of orthopaedic assessment tools. Additionally, he has authored case reports, including a rare presentation of bilateral tibial tubercle avulsion fractures in an adolescent athlete. He has also participated in competitive research internships, including a program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where he studied healthcare disparities. His research background extends to molecular and regenerative biology, with undergraduate work on intestinal regeneration in echinoderms published in peer-reviewed journals. Passionate about advancing musculoskeletal research, he strives to contribute to evidence-based orthopaedic care through both clinical practice and academic inquiry.