Christian Alexander Pean MD MS (He/Him)

Orthopedic Trauma

Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Trauma and Reconstruction Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine | Core Faculty Member, Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy | Co-Founder of Azra Care, an AI powered, equity-conscious health technology platform for musculoskeletal health and value based care.

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Duke University School of Medicine40 Duke Medicine Circle Clinic 1HDurham, NC 27710
Phone+1 956-648-8161

Summary

Dr. Pean’s is an Assistant Professor and Orthopaedic Trauma and Reconstruction Surgeon within the Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Pean also has a core faculty position at the Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy. Dr. Pean’s clinical interests include total hip replacement, shoulder replacement, proximal humerus fractures, periarticular fractures, nonunion repair, periprosthetic fracture fixation and pelvis and acetabulum reconstruction. His research focuses on utilizing Big Data, artificial intelligence, health policy, and clinical practice innovation to address racial health disparities in Orthopaedic surgery. He has published research on racial disparities in orthopaedic trauma surgery, health services research, clinical ethics, machine learning algorithms, and value-based care systems to address clinical outcomes orthopedic trauma and total joint arthroplasty surgery. In addition, he is the Co-Founder of Azra Care, a health technology company dedicated to promoting equitable musculoskeletal health through AI-informed, value-based care and care coordination. Utilizing an AI-based platform, Azra Care empowers healthcare providers to enhance individualized patient engagement and data analysis. Moreover, it facilitates the integration of health-related social needs into clinical care, with the aim of improving outcomes and reducing racial disparities in healthcare.

Commencement Speech, MD Graduation 2016

Christian Alexander Pean, graduating medical student and 2015 honoree of the American Medical Association talks of the obstacles and pathways to a bright future

Education & Training

Harvard Medical SchoolOrthopedic Surgery, 2021 - 2022
NYU Grossman School of Medicine/NYU Langone Orthopedic HospitalResidency, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2016 - 2021
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiClass of 2016
Tufts University School of MedicineMS, Biomedical Sciences, 2010 - 2011
Georgetown UniversityBS, Biology, 2006 - 2010

Certifications & Licensure

NC State Medical License 2022 - 2025
MA State Medical License 2021 - 2023
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Orthopaedic Surgery

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Nate Bodi Orthopedic Resident Physician Award NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, 2019
Distinction in Research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 2016
Irwin Gelernt, MD Award for Service to the Community Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 2016
Distinction in Medical Education Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 2016
Diverse Medical Scholars Award United Health Foundation/National Medical Fellows, 2015
AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Leadership Award American Medical Association, 2015
Medical Education Research Grant Award Northeastern Group on Educational Affairs-AAMC, 2015
Student Council Award of Excellence Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 2014
Award for Outstanding Community Service Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 2014
Dean's Commendation Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 2011-2012
Dean's List Georgetown University, 2010
Nate Bondi Resident Surgeon Award 2018
Nate Bondi Resident Surgeon Award 2018
Irwin Gelernt, MD Award for Service Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 2016
MD Commencement Speaker Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 2016
Excellence in Medicine Leadership Award American Medical Association, 2015
Exchange Fellowship Recipient Oxford University Ethox Centre, 2015
Highlight Paper Award Winner (co-author) Orthopaedic Trauma Association, 2015
NMF Diverse Medical Scholar Award United Health Foundation, 2015
Northeastern Group on Educational Affairs (NEGEA) Research Grant Award, 2015
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Hospital and Regional-Level Factors Associated With Negotiated Payor Rates for Hip Fracture Fixation: A Multistate Analysis.
Devika A Shenoy, Aaron D Therien, Emily Poehlein, Christian Zirbes, Katherine Kutzer
Value in Health. 2025-09-30
State Health Care Regulations and Political Affiliation Associated With Total Hip Arthroplasty Prices Across the United States.
Katherine M Kutzer, Kevin A Wu, Devika A Shenoy, Aaron D Therien, Sharrieff N Shah
The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2025-08-01
A Missed Opportunity? Osteoporosis Treatment Following Femoral Neck Fractures: Reducing the Risk of Secondary Hip Fracture.
Elizabeth Rieger, Andrew Fuqua, Alyssa Woltemath, Jacob M Wilson, Christian Pean
The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2025-07-21

Journal Articles

Policy and Ethical Considerations for Widespread Utilization of Generic Orthopedic Implants
Christian A. Pean, MD, MS, Claudette Lajam, MD, Joseph Zuckerman, MD, Joseph Bosco, MD, Arthroplasty Today, 5/20/2019
Shoulder Arthroscopy in the Older Adult Population: Who�s at Risk for Postoperative Complications?
Rubenstein W, Pean CA, Colvin A, Arthroscopy, 1/2/2016
Predictors of Patient Reported Pain after Lower Extremity Nonunion Surgery: The Nicotine Effect
Christiano A, Pean CA, Egol KA, Iowa Orthopaedic Journal, 1/1/2016

Abstracts/Posters

The Impact of Severe Obesity on 30-day Rates of Adverse Evens in Patients Undergoing Internal Fixation for Acetabular Fractures.
Pean CA, Konda S, Leucht P, Egol KA, Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, 1/5/2016
Risk Factors for Complications after Primary Repair of Achilles Tendon Ruptures.
Pean CA, Rubenstein WJ, Christiano A, Konda SR, Egol KA, Paper #395 Podium Presentation: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, 1/2/2016
Efficacy of Immediate Postoperative Pain Control Modalities after Ankle Fracture Fixation.
Ding D, Pean CA, Jain S, Egol K, Tejwani N, Paper #262 Podium Presentation: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, 1/2/2016
Shoulder Arthroscopy in the Older Adult Population: Who�s at Risk for Postoperative Complications?
Rubenstein WJ, Pean CA, Colvin A, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, 1/2/2016
Inpatient Rehabilitation Following Hip Fracture: Recent Trends and Implications for Post-acute Care Reform.
Manoli III A, Pean CA, Konda S, Egol KA, Paper #344 Podium Presentation: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, 1/2/2016
Cross Cultural Near-Peer Modules Teaching Emergency Medicine Skills and BLS in Haiti: Results and Future Directions.
Abii U, Merrill R, Pean CA Galjour J, Poster session accepted for: Mobilizing Research for Global Health. 6th Annual Consortium of Universities for Global Health Conference, Boston, MA, 1/26/2015
A Preparatory Emergency Medicine and Global Health Elective for Medical Students Embarking on Short Term Global Health Service Programs in Haiti.
Pean CA, Byrne M, Mathews Z, Azan B, Pean D, Strayer R, Galjour J, Poster session accepted for: Mobilizing Research for Global Health. 6th Annual Consortium of Universities for Global Health Conference, Boston, MA, 1/26/2015
An Orthopaedic Clinic for Osteomyelitis in Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Past Experiences and the Need for Further Epidemiologic Study.
Pean CA, Hippolyte J, Romulus V, Israelski R, Poster session accepted for: Mobilizing Research for Global Health. 6th Annual Consortium of Universities for Global Health Conference, Boston, MA, 1/26/2015
Shoulder Arthroscopy in the Older Adult Population: Who�s at Risk for Postoperative Complications?
Rubenstein W, Pean CA, Colvin A, Podium Presentation: Clinical Orthopaedic Society. 103rd Annual Meeting, New York, NY, 1/24/2015
Orthopaedic Physical Exam: Using Objective Structured Clinical Examinations to Assess Intern Skills.
Phillips D, Zuckerman J, Pean CA, Capriccioso C, Egol K, Poster session accepted for: 128th Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Association, Providence, RI, 1/24/2015
A Comparison of Peri-operative Adverse Events and Risk Factors in Arthroscopic vs. Open Rotator Cuff Repair: Results from the ACS-NSQIP Database. Poster Presentation: ...
Rubenstein W, Pean CA, Colvin A, Poster Presentation: Clinical Orthopaedic Society. 103rd Annual Meeting, New York, NY, 1/24/2015
The Nth Dimensions Sawbones Bio-Skills Workshop: A Hands on Short-term Exposure to Increase Medical Student Interest in Orthopaedic Surgery and Improve Clinical Muscu...
Pean CA, Murphy H, Fong S, Hausman M, Butts G, Mason B, Podium Presentation: AAMC Northeast Group on Educational Affairs 2015 Annual Retreat: Advancing Medical Education: Aligning Teaching and Technology with Learning and Practice, Worcester, MA, 1/17/2015
Can Long Acting Local Anesthetic Improve Outcomes in Ankle Fractures Requiring ORIF: A Prospective Randomized Pilot Study.
Davidovitch R, Goch A, Konda S, Pean CA Egol KA, Podium Presentation: Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 1/7/2015
Functional and Clinical Outcomes of Non-operatively Managed Tibial Plateau Fractures.
Pean CA, Christiano A, Konda S, Egol KA, Paper #44: Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 1/7/2015
Active Smoking is a Risk Factor for Greater Pain Following Nonunion Repair of the Extremities.
Christiano A, Pean CA, Egol KA, Podium Presentation: Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 1/7/2015
Efficacy of Immediate Postoperative Pain Control Modalities after Ankle Fracture Fixation: a Multimodal Comparison.
Ding D, Pean CA, Jain S, Egol KA, Tejwani N, Poster session: Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 1/7/2015
Operative Repair of Proximal Humerus Fractures in Septuagenearians and Octogenarians: How Old is Too Old?
Goch A, Pean CA, Broder K, Konda S, Leucht P, Egol KA, Poster Session: Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 1/7/2015
Outcome after Olecranon Fracture Repair: Does Construct Type Matter?
DelSole E, Pean CA, Tejwani N, Egol KA, Poster session: Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 1/7/2015
Scoring of Cortical Healing Predicts Union in Humeral Shaft Fractures.
Christiano A, Konda S, Pean CA, Leucht P, Egol KA, Podium Presentation: Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 1/7/2015
Functional Status as an Independent Predictor of Inpatient Mortality and Infectious Complications in Geriatric Femoral Neck Fractures: An Opportunity for Developing I...
Pean CA, Konda S, Christiano A, Egol KA, Podium Presentation. International Geriatric Fracture Society Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 1/7/2015
Function and Knee Range of Motion Plateau 6 Months Following Tibial Plateau Fractures.
Christiano A, Pean CA, Egol KA, Podium Presentation Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 1/7/2015
Obesity and Tibial Plateau Fracture Functional Outcomes: An Evidence Based and Community Driven Approach in New York City.
Pean CA, Manoli III A, Konda S, Davidovitch R, Egol K, Poster session presented at: Movement is Life�s National Caucus on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health Disparities, Washington, DC, 1/13/2014
East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership: A Free Clinic Integrated Program in Fitness to Encourage Community Driven Musculoskeletal Health.
Fong S, Pean CA, Castens K, Titan A, Forsh D, Poster session presented at: Movement is Life�s National Caucus on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health Disparities, Washington, DC, 1/13/2014
American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) course and introduction to emergency medicine module taught by American medical students to Haitian ...
Pean CA, Davis K, Spieler B, Mo S, Mathews Z, Galjour J, Poitevien G, Benjamin E, Poster session presented at: Universities 2.0: Advancing the Global Health Agenda in the Post-MDG Era. 5th Annual Conference of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health Conference, Washington, DC, 1/10/2014
Medical Students for Haiti, Inc. (MS4H): North American Medical Students Building Healthcare Provider Capacity in Haiti through Bidirectional Educational Engagement wi...
Pean CA, Davis K, Satoh K, Barthelemy E, Reidenberg JS, Poitevien G, Bristow B, Benjamin E, Poster session presented at: AAMC Northeast Group on Educational Affairs 2013 Annual Retreat: Innovations in Medical Education: Determining Values and Competencies, New York, NY, 1/12/2013
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Other

"Are We Cutting too Much? A Critical Look at Surgical Intervention Rates"
Pean CA, Op-Med Doximity Network
1/25/2019
"Curing the American plague of violence."
Pean CA, The British Medical Journal Blog
1/23/2017
"Residency Programs and medical schools must prioritize advocacy training."
Pean CA, KevinMD.com
1/23/2017
American Medical Association Policy Resolution H-215.977: Guns in Hospitals.
Principal Author: Pean CA, Adopted AMA Annual Meeting
1/1/2016
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Authored Content

Are We Cutting Too Much? A Critical Look at Surgical Intervention RatesJanuary 2019
Are We Cutting Too Much? A Critical Look at Surgical Intervention RatesJanuary 2019