Joseph Salem Hernandez

Biography:

Joseph Salem Hernández is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, expected to graduate in May 2026, with a strong academic focus in orthopaedic surgery and musculoskeletal research. He will serve as an Incoming Orthopaedic Surgery Research Fellow at the Ponce Health Sciences University, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, where he will continue advancing his clinical and academic contributions to the field. Of Puerto Rican and Lebanese descent, Joseph brings a diverse and global perspective to orthopaedic research. His work spans a broad range of topics including clinical and imaging-related outcomes in distal radius fractures, surgical management of lateral epicondylitis, nerve transfer techniques in brachial plexus injuries, and cross-cultural validation of orthopaedic outcome measures such as the Early-Onset Scoliosis Self-Report Questionnaire (EOSQ-SELF). He has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in journals such as the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online, Heliyon, and Arthroplasty Today, with ongoing work in upper extremity, spine, and arthroplasty research. His research has been presented extensively at national and international conferences, including the AO Orthopaedic Research Summit (Davos), ICEOS (France), and multiple World Orthopaedic Conferences. Joseph is a recipient of the AO Foundation/ON Foundation Education Grant and the Research Travel Award from the Center for Hispanic Excellence. In addition to his research, he serves as Co-President of the Orthopaedic Surgery Interest Group (OSIG) at UPR, where he leads mentorship, education, and professional development initiatives for students pursuing orthopaedics. With a strong foundation in both clinical research and academic leadership, Joseph is committed to advancing evidence-based orthopaedic care and contributing meaningfully to the academic growth of the field.