This week, Device Nation sits down with one of orthopaedic trauma's true legends, Dr. Thomas "Toney" Russell. Over four decades, Dr. Russell hasn't just practiced trauma surgery, he's built it. The Russell-Taylor nail. The Intertan. Periloc plates. Osstic bone glue. 30 + U.S. patents.

A career that runs from the Elvis Presley Trauma Center to the C-suites of global med-tech companies.

We cover it all: IM nailing, plates, screws, ex-fix, calcium phosphate and sulfate, OTA, BBQ, and yes, a little Elvis to shake things up!

Fair warning: you WILL leave this episode inspired.

About Dr. Russell

Dr. Thomas A. Russell is one of Orthopaedic Trauma's most consequential figures. Co-developer of the Russell-Taylor intramedullary nail. Professor Emeritus at the University of Tennessee. Former Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Elvis Presley Trauma Center. More than 30 U.S. patents spanning femoral nailing, bone screw systems, surgical navigation, and bio-ceramic augmentation. Executive and advisory roles with leading device companies across the U.S. and Europe.

He has trained generations of surgeons, authored foundational surgical textbook chapters, and earned presidential lectureships and honors from professional societies around the world. From the OR to the boardroom, Dr. Russell has spent four decades doing one thing: solving problems that matter.

What He Built

Trigen / Russell-Taylor Nail — A foundational intramedullary nail. The name gave away today's guest before we even got to the intro.

Intertan Nail — Part of the Smith & Nephew Trigen trauma portfolio, advancing integrated fixation for intertrochanteric fractures.

Periloc Plates — Periarticular fixation that helped shape the modern plating landscape.

BSM Augments — Bone substitute material for structural support where biology needs a hand.

Osstic — "Bone glue." Next-generation bone substitute. Potentially the most disruptive thing on this list — and Dr. Russell will tell you why.

Wisdom From This Episode

"Look for the failures to see where the work needs to be done." — Dr. Toney Russell

• A great idea on a napkin is just the beginning. Are you prepared to commit ten years to it?
• Unexpected inspiration: Ilizarov wires traced back to a bicycle shop.
• Non-Newtonian fluids — a concept that sounds like a physics class and ends up changing how you think about graft material.
• Hip fracture care in the UK: still defaulting to a 4-hole 135° plate. Kevin's verdict: ship him home.
• Innovation is uncomfortable. Even the innovators resist change, Dr. Russell confirms it.

Also In This Episode

• The 54-tray SPD story — and what it really tells you about preparation in a rapidly evolving industry.
• Arthrex's first post-Corin pure-play recon meeting: Player 2 has entered the game.
• AAHKS preview: the third annual Rep-Surgeon town hall, the subject: change.
• Benjamin Franklin on delay: "You may delay, but time will not."
• Highlights from the Anterior Hip Foundation meeting in Nashville.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

This episode wouldn't have happened without them!!!

Enovis Surgical · Redefine Surgical · Sylke

Support the show

What a privilege, introducing Device Nation to Aaron Lepper, BONESUPPORT US VP of Sales!

CERAMENT G is a product we believe you should consider for YOUR bag, as it's the first and only injectable antibiotic-eluting bone graft indicated for use in the management of bone infection.

-Remodels into host bone in 6-12 months (1)
-Injectable and flowable
-Gentamicin elution above MIC that's reliable and consistent (2)
-High local concentration of gentamicin, without high serum gentamicin levels (2)

Checks off a lot of boxes, check it out!

Contact Aaron Lepper here: aaron.lepper@bonesupport.com

Learn more here: https://www.bonesupport.com/en-us/products/cerament-g/

What's in YOUR bag?

1. Ferguson et al. ‘Radiographic and Histological Analysis of a Synthetic Bone Graft Substitute Eluting Gentamicin in the Treatment of Chronic
Osteomyelitis’. J. Bone Joint Infect. 2019; 4(2): 76-84.
2. Stravinskas et al. Pharmacokinetics of gentamicin eluted from a regenerating bone graft substitute - In vitro and clinical release studies. Bone
Joint Res. 2016 ;5 :427-35

Support the show

What does it look like when healthcare finance, strategy, and vision all collide in one extraordinary facility?

Device Nation is privileged to bring you the story of Indiana Orthopedic Institute's CFO, Jennifer Fry, CPA!

From a childhood shaped by veterinary medicine to the C-suite of one of America's most impressive ambulatory surgery centers, Jennifer's path through healthcare is anything but ordinary.

She's held the room at Franciscan Alliance, St. Vincent Health, Athens Medical Group, and J&J Fry Consulting. She's navigated acquisitions, joint ventures, physician practice management, and interim strategy roles at a major not-for-profit health system.

Now, as CFO of the newly built Indiana Orthopedic Institute in Noblesville, Indiana, she's helping lead what we believe will be a blueprint for the future of specialty ASC care.

In this episode:

🏗️ The story behind IOI's build, how this world-class facility came to life
🏥 A virtual tour of the space (you'll want to see this in person)
💻 The tech stack driving efficiency from Ospitek, to Athena's HOP EMR to AI scribe solutions
👥 How to build a team with a high "PH level", passion and happiness you can actually feel when you walk in
📊 The KPIs every ASC operator needs to be watching
💰 Revenue streams beyond the index procedure , the story on DME in a joint specialty setting
🔩 What a great implant partnership actually looks like — and what reps should be doing right now to be ready for a world full of IOIs
🚪 Patient acquisition, patient experience, and turning patients into your best marketing
🔮 The future of specialty ASCs, sunshine ahead, or clouds on the horizon?
....and so much more!

In just 3 years, IOI has grown from 1 Surgeon to 17, and was just recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the Indianapolis area!

Be ready to take notes if you're a Surgeon considering getting off the hospital bandwagon, a Rep trying to stay relevant, or a Healthcare Operator looking for a model worth studying!

📍 Indiana Orthopedic Institute: https://www.indianaortho.com/
📲 Follow Jennifer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-fry-cpa-25391964/

"Re-Operate" with Therapeutic Technologies: https://therapeutic-tech.com/

Support the show