Smith Day and Jupiter Forum bring together hand surgeons from around the world

On Friday, May 16, surgeons from across the globe convened at Massachusetts General Hospital’s O’Keeffe Auditorium for the 33rd Annual Richard J. Smith Memorial Lectureship and the 10th Annual Jesse Jupiter International Forum – a celebrated joint event that continues to bring together leaders in hand and upper extremity surgery. From seasoned surgeons to residents and medical students, attendees participated in a lively exchange of clinical insights, groundbreaking research and collegial conversation.

Rooted in the traditions of Mass General’s Hand and Arm Service, Smith Day honors the legacy of the late Dr. Richard J. Smith, a former Chief of the Hand and Arm Service whose influence on hand surgery remains deeply felt. The Jupiter Forum, now in its 10th year, builds on that foundation by showcasing cutting-edge clinical advancements and fostering international collaboration – reflecting the enduring impact of Dr. Jesse Jupiter. Dr. Jupiter trained under Dr. Smith and later led the Hand and Arm Service for nearly 15 years until his retirement in the fall of 2020.

Together, these events embody a shared commitment to mentorship, invention and the academic pursuit of excellence in hand surgery.

The day began with abstract presentations moderated by Dr. Chaitanya Mudgal, highlighting a diverse range of topics including:

• Clinical outcomes of volar rim locking plates in the treatment of distal radius fractures
• Targeted muscle reinnervation for treatment of neuropathic pain in non-amputees
• Ultrasound-guided vs open trigger finger release: a prospective comparative cohort
• Knowledge of climbing specific injuries in hand surgery
• Impact of socioeconomic status on treatment in pediatric orthopedic finger fractures

Two standout presentations were honored for their translational and clinical impact. Maxime Tiems and co-authors received the Jesse Jupiter Award for their work on combining peripheral nerve surgery with nerve stimulation to treat refractory neuropathic pain. Thanawat Buranaphatthana and co-authors earned the Richard Smith Award for their machine learning approach to predict pain outcomes in targeted reinnervation procedures. Both papers were outstanding contributions that are poised to enhance the practice of medicine.

This year’s Smith Day–Jupiter Forum Orator, Dr. Jeffrey Greenberg, delivered a keynote address entitled, “You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks: A Career Reprise.” In a thoughtful and candid reflection, Dr. Greenberg explored key milestones in his work with distal radius fractures and flexor/tendon reconstruction while championing the value of lifelong education and continuous self-reflection. Dr. Greenberg also stressed the importance of seeking true wealth or “psychic income” – rewards not measurable in terms of money or goods but serve as an incentive to work.

The Jupiter Forum’s theme this year was “All Things Scaphoid – The Evidence,” offering a comprehensive exploration of one of the most intricate areas in wrist pathology. Sessions ranged from diagnostic approaches and prognostic markers of scaphoid fractures to nuanced distinctions between scaphoid vascular pathologies. The program sparked thoughtful debate and collaboration among a distinguished group of visiting faculty including Drs. Jesse Jupiter, Jeffrey Greenberg, Paul Binhammer, Amitava Gupta, Kyle Bickel, Herb Von Schroeder and James Higgins. This discussion was enhanced with contributions from local Boston surgeons including Drs. Arriyan Dowlatshahi, Eric Tolo, George Dyer, Hervey Kimball, Charles Cassidy, Philip Blazar, Dafang Zhang and Carl Harper. Our local faculty, Drs. Chaitanya Mudgal, Neal Chen and Rohit Garg, provided equally thought-provoking and discussion-stimulating presentations.

Dr. Jesse Jupiter's Honored Sage Oration, entitled, “Transitions,” offered a meditation on the inevitable personal and professional changes that surgeons face. Drawing from his own experience in retirement, Dr. Jupiter shared insights on adapting to new chapters in life, whether through travel, new hobbies or deeper connections with family and community. He concluded with a message that resonated throughout the room: “I wish for you the wisdom to realize that it’s okay to miss something but not want it back.”

As the day concluded, the 33rd Annual Richard J. Smith Memorial Lectureship and the 10th Annual Jesse Jupiter International Forum stood as a powerful reminder of the collaborative spirit, curiosity, and dedication that continue to drive the field of hand surgery forward. Plans for the 2026 event – including dates, theme and registration – will be announced in the coming months.