Dr. Julia Visgauss, MD, assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Oncology associate division chief, and associate program director of Residency at Duke University Medical Center, was recently honored as the keynote speaker at the 3rd Annual Gala hosted by the Sarcoma Strong Foundation. The event, dedicated to raising awareness, advocating for patients and families, and funding vital sarcoma research, was crucial in advancing the fight against rare cancers, including sarcoma and chondrosarcoma.
Dr. Visgauss shared her groundbreaking work on chondrosarcoma metastasis, a type of bone cancer that can spread aggressively throughout the body. She was awarded the Sarcoma Strong Research Grant in 2022 and the Career Catalyst Award in 2024, which have been instrumental in funding her ongoing research.
“It was an incredible honor to speak at the Gala,” Dr. Visgauss shared. “The crowd was engaged and receptive, and seeing their interest in our work was gratifying. Having the opportunity to share our research with such a supportive audience was an experience I’ll always cherish.”
In partnership with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, the foundation has committed to funding research efforts to improve outcomes for sarcoma patients. Dr. Visgauss’s research on chondrosarcoma metastasis holds the potential to lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of this rare and challenging cancer
In the evening, Dr. Visgauss engaged with numerous attendees at the Gala, exchanging ideas and discussing the latest developments in sarcoma research. She was joined by Congressman Paul Tonko of New York, who attended the event to show his support for the cause. Congressman Tonko presented Dr. Visgauss with a Certificate of Congressional Special Recognition for her outstanding contributions to cancer research. They also discussed how recent executive orders impact university funding and research initiatives.
“I was deeply honored by the recognition and the opportunity to speak with Congressman Tonko,” Dr. Visgauss said. “It’s encouraging to have such strong support for our work and cancer research.”
Dr. Visgauss’s keynote address at the Sarcoma Strong Foundation Gala is a testament to her dedication and leadership in orthopaedic oncology. Through her work at Duke Orthopaedics and the support of organizations like the Sarcoma Strong Foundation, she is impacting the fight against chondrosarcoma.
Dr. Visgauss’s groundbreaking research and her role in advancing the understanding and treatment of chondrosarcoma are helping shape the future of orthopaedic oncology and improving patient outcomes worldwide. Her continued commitment to the fight against bone cancer is inspiring and promises to lead to further innovations in cancer care.