This achievement is especially noteworthy because Dr. Parnes practices in a rural setting — one of very few to receive this honor — proving that cutting-edge orthopedic research can thrive in the North Country.”

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news: for the second year in a row, Dr. Nata Parnes of Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus and Carthage Area Hospital, both members of the North Star Health Alliance (NSHA), has once again earned the distinction among the very top shoulder-and-elbow researchers in the country!

Curated by Avant-Garde Health, the Healthcare Research All-Star Awards look at the work of more than 4,700 hospitals and 424,000 surgeons and providers and only the top 5 percent end up on the list.

To determine the award winners, Avant-Garde Health examined both the quantity and quality of research by surgeons and hospitals. The study methodology can be reviewed Here, as well as the Key Findings from the study.

“We are excited to include Carthage Area Hospital and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus, both members of the North Star Health Alliance, in our inaugural list of Orthopedic Research All-Stars for 2025,” said Derek Haas, CEO and Founder of Avant-garde Health.

“This ground-breaking study examined the research of more than 4,700 hospitals and 424,000 surgeons and includes only the top five percent based on the quantity and quality of their published research. We are grateful for their dedication and contributions to improvements in orthopedic shoulder and elbow care and honored to highlight their achievements in this study.”

This achievement is especially noteworthy because Dr. Parnes practices in a rural setting — one of very few to receive this honor — proving that cutting-edge orthopedic research can thrive in the North Country.

Out of nearly 424,000 physicians and surgeons evaluated nationwide, only 4,420 reached the top 1% overall, and just 332 were recognized specifically for orthopedic research.

Even more impressively, of the 1,667 orthopedic surgeons honored in the top 5% nationwide, Dr. Parnes is the only one practicing in a rural community to earn a top 1% distinction — an honor typically reserved for physicians in major cities.

His dedicated research and publications place him alongside peers at Stanford, the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Duke, and other prestigious, highly funded research institutions.

Leader in Orthopedic Research and Mentorship

Dr. Parnes has been a cornerstone of the orthopedic community at Carthage Area Hospital (CAH), drawing on more than 15 years of experience since completing his clinical fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital.

His advanced training — including the prestigious Harvard Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship and the Harvard Upper Extremity and Hand Fellowship — set the stage for founding the Department of Research and Clinical Investigation at CAH and CHMC five years ago.

This department exemplifies his commitment to advancing both orthopedic care and research, marking a significant milestone in his distinguished career.

As an associate professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD, Dr. Parnes has played a crucial role in training the next generation of orthopedic surgeons.

His involvement in the American Shoulder and Elbow Society Leadership Development Program, along with active service on the Society’s Research Committee, further underscores his dedication to the field and his influence in shaping the future of orthopedic medicine.

Extensive Publications and Student Research Program

Dr. Parnes has an extensive publication record, with over 130 scientific papers, invitations to130 presentations in national and international conferences, and 15 book chapters to his credit.

His research focuses on both non-surgical and surgical treatments for shoulder and upper extremity injuries, catering to athletes, civilians, and military personnel.

This includes pioneering work in areas like impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tears, and shoulder preservation.

His notable recent publications include “American Journal of Sports Medicine” (January 2024), detailing the evaluation of success metrics following arthroscopic posterior labral repair, as well as the “American Journal of Sports Medicine” (December 2023), presenting insights on the outcomes of combining biceps tenodesis with anterior glenohumeral stabilization.

These contributions highlight Dr. Parnes’s ongoing efforts to enhance orthopedic surgery and patient care through rigorous research.

Unique to our area, Dr. Parnes also leads a comprehensive Student Research Program that offers local students rare, hands-on opportunities in both clinical care and medical research.

Designed to mentor the next generation of healthcare professionals, the program has supported 11 pre-med students, 3 medical students, and 3 physician assistant students — many of whom have gone on to attend prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Brown.

Students are often introduced through regional initiatives like New Vision and MASH, or reach out independently after learning about the research.

Whether joining ongoing studies or launching new projects, participants gain real-world experience while forming a close-knit academic community under Dr. Parnes’s mentorship.

“This program is a wonderful opportunity to support young people from our community in pursuing their dreams of attending medical school and advancing in the healthcare field,” says Dr. Parnes.

“The goal is to inspire them to return to the North Country, where we offer a truly unique experience treating both community members and military personnel. Publishing our clinical experience is essential—not only to contribute to the broader medical field but also to ensure we’re delivering the highest standard of care. Research is one of the most effective tools for quality assurance, and many of our studies include 10 to 15 years of patient follow-up to evaluate long-term outcomes and continuously improve clinical care at both Carthage Area Hospital and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus.”

Dr Parnes’s recent achievement extends beyond accolades to directly enhancing patient care.

At a time when rural hospitals often face challenges in recruiting and retaining top talent, Dr. Parnes exemplifies how world-class research can be integrated with community-based care.

His consecutive recognition underscores CAH, Claxton Campus, and the NSHA’s commitment to delivering premier orthopedic services and preserving local access to quality-driven surgical and medical care.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Parnes and his fellow orthopedic team at both CAH and CHMC.

We are grateful to Dr. Parnes for his unwavering excellence and for ensuring exceptional orthopedic care remains available in the North Country.