We are pleased to announce the renaming of the Farshid Guilak ORS Outstanding Achievement in Mentoring Award in recognition of his vast contributions to MSK researchers in helping to advance their careers.

Dr. Farshid Guilak is the Mildred B. Simon Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University and the Director of Research at Shriners Children’s in St. Louis.  He has been a dedicated and passionate mentor and has trained over 300 students and fellows throughout his career, a great many of whom are active members of the ORS and the orthopaedic research community.  He has received numerous mentoring awards, including the ORS Excellence in Mentoring Award.  He served on the ORS Board from 2012-2018, and as president of the ORS in 2017, he conceived and originated several major initiatives including creation of the ORS Sections and JOR Spine.  He also spearheaded the incorporation of “satellite” meetings into the ORS, such as the Philadelphia Spine Meeting, the Tendon Meeting, and the Musculoskeletal Biology Workshop, among many others.

His dedication to mentorship not only shapes the careers of individuals but also enriches the broader scientific community, ensuring the continued advancement of research and innovation.

In recognition of his significant contributions, the ORS renamed its Mentoring Award to “The Farshid Guilak ORS Outstanding Achievement in Mentoring Award,” underscoring his lasting impact on mentorship within the field. This is the only ORS award named after a living person.

Overview

This award celebrates the commitment of the outstanding mentors in the ORS community who promote the success of new investigators in the pursuit of independent orthopaedic research.

About the Award

The ORS Outstanding Achievement in Mentoring Award was created in 2014 to celebrate the commitment of the outstanding mentors in our community who promote the success of new investigators in the pursuit of independent orthopaedic research careers.

This award recognizes an ORS member who has shown exceptional achievement in mentorship and advocacy on behalf of new investigators in orthopaedic research. Awardees are honored for excellence in promoting scientific and professional development and the advancement to independent research careers of new investigators, who are of diverse personal and professional backgrounds. The award will be based on one nominating letter and two letters of support.

Mentorship is very broad and can apply to mentorship of trainees in a mentor’s research program and beyond, as well as faculty, throughout the whole range of orthopaedic research.

Recognition

  • Commemorative plaque

The winner must be present at the ORS Annual Meeting to accept the award.

Eligibility

  • Nominee must be an ORS member* in good standing.
  • Must have obtained a PhD, MD, DO, DVM, DDM, DPT, DDS, or equivalent
  • Must have mentored research trainees at least 10 years past their terminal degree.

Selection Criteria

Nominees will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

  • Training of researchers within the nominee’s research program
  • Mentorship of new orthopaedic investigators
  • Advocacy on behalf of new investigators in and beyond the nominee’s research program
  • Education and professional development of new orthopaedic investigators
  • Overall Impact (including research, teaching, diversity, and mentoring)

*Note: If you are not a member of the ORS, but would like to apply to be eligible for this award, visit our membership section of the website for an application. Thank you for your interest.

Nomination

Nomination packet must include:

  • Nomination Letter: The primary nomination letter summarizing the nominee’s contributions to mentoring will be submitted by an ORS member
  • Supporting Letters: Two letters describing the nominee’s contributions to mentoring (2 page limit per letter)
  • Nominee’s Full Curriculum Vitae (NIH Bio-sketches will not be accepted)
  • Nominee’s Training and Mentoring Record

Letters must detail why the nominee merits recognition as an outstanding mentor. Please clearly describe the nominee’s qualities as a mentor and the contributions he or she has made to the mentees’ careers.

The Call for Nominations is August 4, 2025.

For more information, contact the ORS at [email protected].