UH Rainbow Pediatric Orthopaedics Division Chief Report 2026

Rainbow Orthopaedic Update | Winter 2026

The year 2025 represented another period of sustained progress aligned with our strategic highlights, including divisional growth, expansion of technical expertise, improved access for patients and referring providers, and continued academic productivity.

Improving access to care remains a central priority for our division. Our Advanced Practice Provider team has grown to five members, and our same day pediatric orthopedic injury clinics, staffed by Emily, Michelle, Nikki, Nadine, and Megan, have continued to expand successfully. In 2025, these clinics transitioned to full day operations on both the east side at UH Ahuja Medical Center and the west side at UH Westlake Health Center. These locations provide convenient walk in, same day access for children across Northeast Ohio who sustain fractures or other acute musculoskeletal injuries. Now in its fourth year, the same day injury clinic program provided care to more than 4,000 patients in 2025, reflecting consistent year over year growth and reinforcing our commitment to timely, patient centered access.

While access is foundational, we also remain committed to delivering the most comprehensive and cutting-edge orthopaedic care in the region. At University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s, we offer the latest technologies available to support a diverse population of children with complex musculoskeletal conditions. Our technical capabilities include robotic assisted deformity surgery, intraoperative navigation, patient specific three-dimensional printed guides, ApiFix, and vertebral body tethering. With this full complement of surgical techniques and enabling technologies, our team is equipped to manage virtually any pediatric spinal condition. We remain at the forefront of innovation through active participation in the two largest international spinal research collaboratives, the Harms Study Group and the Pediatric Spine Study Group.

Our division continues to grow strategically through faculty recruitment. In 2025, we welcomed Rebecca Siegel, MD as our first pediatric rehabilitation medicine physician, and we have extended an offer for a second pediatric rehabilitation specialist to begin in 2026. We also look forward to welcoming Janson Ina, MD this fall, who completed dual fellowship training in sports medicine and pediatric sports surgery bringing advanced technical expertise for children with sports related injuries. He follows the recent addition of Katharine Hollnagel, MD, who is dual trained in pediatric orthopaedics and hip preservation. Dr Hollnagel brings unique subspecialty expertise and international relationships that enhance our ability to provide regional leading care for children, adolescents, and young adults with hip disorders.

Academically, our division remains highly productive. In 2025, our faculty published more than 37 peer reviewed manuscripts, delivered numerous invited lectures, and held leadership positions in national and international professional societies. Mentorship remains a core value, with our research staff and medical students presenting their work at national and international meetings while representing UH Rainbow Orthopaedics on a global stage. We routinely host research meetings in the homes of our faculty, intentionally pairing low key social interaction with academic curiosity to create an enriching environment where collaboration is strengthened and ideas flourish.

Our academic and professional networks continue to enrich our educational environment through visiting professorships. This past year, we hosted Eric Edmonds and James Sanders, and welcomed Daniel Cooperman for additional academic programming. These visits also allow us to showcase Cleveland, engage our residents and fellows, and build meaningful personal connections, including opportunities to experience the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the city’s cultural offerings.

A defining strength of our division is the depth of leadership demonstrated by our faculty. It is a priority to cultivate a team that not only delivers outstanding clinical care but also advances the visibility and influence of the UH Rainbow Orthopaedic Surgery program through national and international engagement. Faculty leadership highlights include:

Mike Glotzbecker, MD, MBA:

• Treasurer and Board Member of the Pediatric Spine Study Group
• Regular faculty at International Pediatric Orthopaedic Symposium (IPOS) and recently named as a subject matter expert for IPOS
• Chair of the Quality Safety and Value Committees for Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America (POSNA) and SRS
• A spine subject matter expert for IPOS
• Serving as Interim Acting Surgeon in Chief
• Promoted to Medical Director of Children’s Surgery

Chris Hardesty, MD:

• Appointed Associate Editor for Pediatrics for JBJS
• Completing the Scoliosis Research Society Traveling Fellowship
• Joining the faculty of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgical Techniques course
• Chair of the Scoliosis Research Society Education Resource Committee
• Appointed Residency Director for our program
• A spine subject matter expert for AAOS
• Treasurer and Board Member of the Spasticity (STARS) Society

Ray Liu, MD:

• Co-leading the national Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics fellows journal club
• Deputy Editor, Hip and Lower Extremity, for Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics
• Leading quarterly teaching conferences between the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society (LLRS) and LLRS-Nigeria
• Chair of the Evidence Based Practice Committee for the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
• Executive Committee Member, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Orthopaedics 

Justin Mistovich, MD:

• Dr Mistovich serves as the Treasurer of PRiSM and has been Past Chair of the Tibial Spine Research Interest Group

George Thompson, MD:

• Serving as Editor in Chief of the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics

And lastly, our faculty has authored “What’s New in Pediatric Orthopaedics?” for JBJS for three consecutive years.

Together, these accomplishments reflect a division that continues to grow thoughtfully, lead nationally, and deliver exceptional care to the children and families we serve.

I look forward to another year when our pediatric orthopaedic family can work together with all of you to improve the care of children in our community and beyond.

For more information or the make an appointment call 216-259-9496.

Michael Glotzbecker, MD, MBA

Michael P. Glotzbecker, MD, MBA
Division Chief, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
Interim Surgeon in Chief
Medical Director of Children's Surgery
Fellowship Program Director, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
George H Thompson Chair in Pediatric Orthopaedics
UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Professor
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine