Duke Orthopaedics welcomed Robert L. Satcher, MD, PhD, to a packed hybrid session of Grand Rounds on March 29. His all-day visit to our campus was part of the John M. Harrelson, MD, Visiting Professor Grand Rounds.
Dr. Satcher is a former NASA astronaut who flew on STS-129 to the International Space Station in 2009 and has logged more than 259 hours in space. He is an associate professor of Orthopaedic Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
His talk, Space Medicine and Orbital Orthopaedics covered the stress that microgravity places on the human body and how advancements in telemedicine and telesurgery are essential to our nation’s goals for a better understanding of our universe. It also covered making breakfast tacos and getting a good night’s sleep in space.
As the first and only orthopaedic surgeon to have logged miles in space, Dr. Satcher said his experiences gave him an up-close view of Earth’s frailty. “I don’t know of anyone who has traveled to space and not come back a conservationist,” he said.
He said that NASA’s astronaut training reminded him a lot of the intensive preparations for becoming a surgeon and how trust bonds among his crew/teammates are critical to successful patient outcomes/missions.
He shared a study of astronauts’ most common ortho issues due to stress and injuries to their hands, shoulders, and feet. He said this is primarily due to performing tasks in the 300-Extravehicular Mobility Unit or space suit. NASA recently announced its plans to partner with private industry to re-engineer a new generation of suits by 2026. To watch his presentation, visit here. Follow Dr. Satcher on Twitter @Astro_Bones.