Advance Interview + Coverage Opportunity
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — September 9, 2026 — OrthoCarolina, in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation, will host a free, in-person educational event on joint replacement as part of its ongoing Live Event Series. Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Brian Curtin, Dr. Todd Irwin, and Dr. Bryan Loeffler will lead a live discussion on Tuesday, September 22, covering what to expect from joint replacement, how to navigate treatment options, how to prepare for surgery, and what recovery looks like.
OrthoCarolina patient Meghan Bradshaw, known as the “Bionic Woman,” will attend and share her story of undergoing 11 joint replacement surgeries in three years after a misdiagnosis of Lyme disease. The event is open to the public.
OrthoCarolina patient Meghan Bradshaw, known as the “Bionic Woman,” will attend and share her story of undergoing 11 joint replacement surgeries in three years after a misdiagnosis of Lyme disease. The event is open to the public.
From left to right: Brian Curtin, MD; Todd Irwin, MD; and Bryan Loeffler, MD. (Photo Credit: OrthoCarolina)
Advance Interview Opportunity (September 14-18)
Dr. Curtain, Dr. Irwin, and Dr. Loeffler are available ahead of the event to speak on:
Dr. Curtain, Dr. Irwin, and Dr. Loeffler are available ahead of the event to speak on:
- Who is a candidate for joint replacement, and how to know when it's time
- How to navigate treatment options and prepare for surgery
- What recovery looks like and how patients can set expectations
- Advances in surgical techniques and recovery time
Patient Meghan Bradshaw is also available for interviews. Bradshaw underwent 11 joint replacement surgeries within three years, including bilateral hip and shoulder replacements, after years of misdiagnosis before doctors identified Lyme disease as the cause of her joint deterioration. Her full story: Journey into Becoming the Bionic Woman
To schedule an interview, contact Catherine Christmas at catherine@ascentcomms.com or 504-810-6814.
To schedule an interview, contact Catherine Christmas at catherine@ascentcomms.com or 504-810-6814.
Event Details + Visual Opportunities:
WHAT: Joint Replacement Live Educational Session, presented by OrthoCarolina in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation
WHEN: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Raintree Country Club, 8600 Raintree Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277
WHY COVER THIS:
WHAT: Joint Replacement Live Educational Session, presented by OrthoCarolina in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation
WHEN: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Raintree Country Club, 8600 Raintree Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277
WHY COVER THIS:
- Joint replacement is one of the most common orthopedic procedures, with nearly 800,000 knee replacements and 550,000 hip replacements performed annually in the United States
- This event puts residents directly in front of the local surgeons who perform those procedures
- This event gives reporters a clinical and advocacy angle on joint health, delivered by two leading healthcare organizations dedicated to advancing patient care, research, and education
- Three fellowship-trained surgeons in one room allows reporters to receive multiple expert perspectives and patient Q&A in a single visit
- A patient who underwent 11 joint replacements in three years offers a compelling, real-world entry point into the surgical topics on the panel
Best Visual Opportunities
- Surgeons using anatomical models and implant hardware to walk the audience through joint replacement procedures
- Patient Meghan Bradshaw sharing her firsthand joint replacement journey with the audience
- Live Q&A between attendees and the surgical panel
- One-on-one conversations between surgeons and attendees after the presentation
MEDIA RSVP REQUESTED BY SEPTEMBER 20
To ensure access, RSVP to Hannah Twinem at Hannah.Twinem@orthocarolina.com.
Public registration: https://bit.ly/3SLgPDa
More information: www.orthocarolina.com/events/orthocarolina-inperson-event-series-joint-replacements
To ensure access, RSVP to Hannah Twinem at Hannah.Twinem@orthocarolina.com.
Public registration: https://bit.ly/3SLgPDa
More information: www.orthocarolina.com/events/orthocarolina-inperson-event-series-joint-replacements
About OrthoCarolina
Since 1922, OrthoCarolina has been a physician-owned, physician-led orthopedic practice built around one purpose: to make lives better. As the Carolinas’ leader in orthopedic treatment, research, and education, OrthoCarolina delivers high-quality, value-based musculoskeletal care through 40+ locations and nine Orthopedic Urgent Care Centers. By expanding access to care and lowering costs without lowering standards, OrthoCarolina is proving that better outcomes and greater affordability can go hand in hand. The practice also trains the next generation of orthopedic specialists, extending that commitment to patients across the Carolinas for decades to come. Learn more at orthocarolina.com.
Since 1922, OrthoCarolina has been a physician-owned, physician-led orthopedic practice built around one purpose: to make lives better. As the Carolinas’ leader in orthopedic treatment, research, and education, OrthoCarolina delivers high-quality, value-based musculoskeletal care through 40+ locations and nine Orthopedic Urgent Care Centers. By expanding access to care and lowering costs without lowering standards, OrthoCarolina is proving that better outcomes and greater affordability can go hand in hand. The practice also trains the next generation of orthopedic specialists, extending that commitment to patients across the Carolinas for decades to come. Learn more at orthocarolina.com.