AANA Honors Steadman Clinic Surgeon for Bone Augmentation Research

The Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) has bestowed the 2026 Stephen S. Burkhart Shoulder Innovation Research Award upon Matthew T. Provencher, M.D., a complex shoulder, knee, and sports medicine surgeon at The Steadman Clinic and fellowship co-director/faculty member at Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI).

The award recognizes transformative research that advances the understanding and treatment of shoulder pathology within sports medicine and orthopedic arthroscopy.

Having joined The Steadman Clinic and SPRI’s world-renowned Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Program in 2014 Dr. Provencher is being honored for advancing bone augmentation strategies to treat complex shoulder instability.

“This project was designed to deepen our understanding of bone augmentation approaches for challenging shoulder instability cases,” Dr. Provencher said. “I am grateful to my co‑authors and collaborators, including Dr. Ivan Wong in Nova Scotia and shoulder specialist Dr. Tony Romeo in Chicago. This work reflects a true team effort, and awards like this inspire us to continue pushing forward in research and innovation while carrying on Steve Burkhart’s legacy.”

Dr. Provencher is an author, lecturer, researcher, and educator heavily involved in orthopedic arthroscopy techniques and the prevention of new and recurrent sports injuries. He has held numerous local, national, and international appointments, including the Arthroscopy Association of AANA, AOSSM, ISAKOS, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS).

Dr. Provencher has more than 20 years of clinical orthopedic experience and surgical care of civilian patients and the United States Navy’s special operations force (Navy SEALs). He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, and authored five textbooks and 148 book chapters.

Marc J. Philippon, M.D., chair of SPRI and managing partner of The Steadman Clinic, commended Dr. Provencher’s commitment to advancing both clinical care and scientific discovery.

“Dr. Provencher exemplifies the rare combination of surgical excellence and rigorous scientific inquiry,” Dr. Philippon commented. “His contributions in the operating room and in SPRI’s research labs have elevated our entire organization.”

SPRI CEO Dan Drawbaugh highlighted Dr. Provencher’s impact on clinical research and patient care.

“Dr. Provencher’s commitment to clinical research has made an enduring impact at SPRI,” Drawbaugh stated. “His investigations into shoulder instability have improved surgical care for countless patients. We are honored to see him recognized by AANA with this award.”