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Caroline P. Thirukumaran, M.B.B.S., M.H.A., Ph.D.

Caroline P. Thirukumaran, M.B.B.S., M.H.A., Ph.D.

Contact

Office (585) 273-2235
Fax (585) 276-1299

Research Lab

OrthoPOD lab

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About Me

Professional Background

Dr. Caroline Thirukumaran received her Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) degree from the University of Mumbai, and her Master in Hospital Administration (MHA) degree from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Following this, she gained considerable experience in hospital planning and ...
Dr. Caroline Thirukumaran received her Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) degree from the University of Mumbai, and her Master in Hospital Administration (MHA) degree from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Following this, she gained considerable experience in hospital planning and operations through her work in tertiary care hospitals in the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and Africa. She pursued her PhD in Health Services Research and Policy at the University of Rochester. Caroline's research is enriched by her clinical and managerial experience. She has a profound understanding of the patient-provider relationship, of hospital operations, and of decision-making processes used by the hospital management – all of which provide her with holistic understanding of the dynamics involved in providing high-quality, and patient-centered hospital care.

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Orthopaedics (SMD)

Associate Professor - Department of Public Health Sciences (SMD) - Joint

Credentials

Education

PhD | University of Rochester. Health Services Research and Policy. 2016

MHA | Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India. Hospital Administration. 2003

MBBS | University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India. Medicine and Surgery. 2001

Awards

Presidential Poster Award (Health Services Research and Policy track) at the 2018 American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting. 2018

Best Abstract (Methods Research track) at the 2018 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting. 2018

Harold Louis Brodell, M.D. '54 and Alma Jean Brodell Musculoskeletal Research Fund award for the P30 Pilot Grant Proposal. 2017

Abstract featured in the Quality and Value Poster Walk. 2014

Best Student Abstract Award - Health Information Technology. 2013

Dean's Graduate Fellowship. 2010 - 2012

Best Student in the Hospital Administration Batch of 2003. 2003

Dr. Manek Billimoria, Dr. S. B. Kekre and Dr. V. K. Nair Award for Pathology. 1999

Dr. J. S. Kalgutkar, Dr. D. D. Sathye and Dr. D. D. Variyava Award for Human Anatomy. 1997

Merit awards for distinctions in Human Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, and Preventive Medicine. 1996 - 2000

Research

Health Services Research (HSR) is a field of inquiry that integrates in-depth knowledge of the healthcare system with theory and advanced statistical methods to investigate issues related to quality, cost, and access to care. As a health services researcher, Caroline's primary research interests are...
Health Services Research (HSR) is a field of inquiry that integrates in-depth knowledge of the healthcare system with theory and advanced statistical methods to investigate issues related to quality, cost, and access to care. As a health services researcher, Caroline's primary research interests are at the intersection of health policy, and the quality & safety of orthopaedic care in hospitals. Broadly, she is interested in understanding the drivers and determinants of high-quality orthopaedic care, and in particular, care for the vulnerable population including the elderly and those that are at risk of health disparities. She has expertise in the use of large medical and administrative datasets to address the research questions. The overarching goal of her research is to generate knowledge that will contribute in reducing variation in the outcomes of orthopaedic care.

Publications

Journal Articles

Incidence and Risk Factors for Revision Within 1 Year of Primary Carpal Tunnel Release.

Schloemann DT, Thirukumaran CP, Hammert WC

Hand : official journal of the American Association for Hand Surgery.. 2023 November 19 :15589447231211608. Epub 11/19/2023.

Comparable performance of machine learning algorithms in predicting readmission and complications following total joint arthroplasty with external validation.

Arthroplasty.. 2023 November 85 (1):58. Epub 11/08/2023.

The effect of a workplace wellness program on disability, function and pain in healthcare providers workers with low back pain-outcomes of 3040 academic health center employees.

Haddas R, Botros M, D'Agostino CR, Jablonski J, Ramirez G, Vasalos K, Thirukumaran C, Rubery PT

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society.. 2023 October 25 Epub 10/25/2023.

Racial/ethnic and income-based differences in the use of surgery for cervical and lumbar disorders in New York State: A retrospective analysis.

Rubery PT, Ramirez G, Kwak A, Thirukumaran C

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2023 October 25 Epub 10/25/2023.

Association of race and ethnicity with opioid prescribing for Medicare beneficiaries following total joint replacements.

Thirukumaran CP, Fiscella KA, Rosenthal MB, Doshi JA, Schloemann DT, Ricciardi BF

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.. 2023 September 29 Epub 09/29/2023.

Is Morbid Obesity a Modifiable Risk Factor In Patients who have Severe Knee Osteoarthritis and do not have a Formal Perioperative Optimization Program?

Botros M, Guirguis P, Balkissoon R, Myers TG, Thirukumaran CP, Ricciardi BF

The Journal of arthroplasty.. 2023 September 15 Epub 09/15/2023.

Demographics and Early Outcomes of Commercial Antibiotic Cement Usage for Infection Prophylaxis During Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients Older Than 65 Years: An American Joint Replacement Registry Study.

Ricciardi BF, Porter KR, Myers TG, Ginnetti JG, Kaplan N, Thirukumaran CP

The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.. 2023 September 6 Epub 09/06/2023.

Disparities in the Epidemiology and Management of Fragility Hip Fractures.

Schloemann DT, Ricciardi BF, Thirukumaran CP

Current osteoporosis reports.. 2023 June 26 Epub 06/26/2023.

Association of Total Knee Replacement Removal From the Inpatient-Only List With Outpatient Surgery Utilization and Outcomes in Medicare Patients.

Schloemann DT, Sajda T, Ricciardi BF, Thirukumaran CP

JAMA network open.. 2023 June 16 (6):e2316769. Epub 06/01/2023.

What Factors Are Associated With Revision Cubital Tunnel Release Within 3 Years?

Schloemann DT, Hammert WC, Mandalapu A, Thirukumaran CP

Clinical orthopaedics and related research.. 2023 March 30 Epub 03/30/2023.

Association of Skilled Nursing Facility Participation in Voluntary Bundled Payments With Postacute Care Outcomes for Joint Replacement.

Ying M, Thirukumaran CP, Temkin-Greener H, Joynt Maddox KE, Holloway RG, Li Y

Medical care.. 2023 February 161 (2):109-116. Epub 12/12/2022.

Clinical Improvement Following Operative Management of Ankle Fractures Among Patients With and Without Moderate to High Depressive Symptoms: An Analysis Using PROMIS.

Bernstein DN, Ramirez G, Thirukumaran CP, Samuel Flemister A, Oh IC, Ketz JP, Baumhauer JF

Foot & ankle orthopaedics.. 2023 January 8 (1):24730114221151077. Epub 01/20/2023.

Skilled Nursing Facility Participation in Bundled Payments Was Related to Small Increases in Nurse Staffing Levels.

Ying M, Temkin-Greener H, Thirukumaran CP, Joynt Maddox KE, Holloway RG, Li Y

Journal of applied gerontology : the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society.. 2022 November 2 :7334648221137060. Epub 11/02/2022.

Heightened 30-Day Postoperative Complication Risk Persists After COVID-19 Infection.

Neumaier M, Thirukumaran C, Ramirez G, Ricciardi B

World journal of surgery.. 2022 October 6 Epub 10/06/2022.

Post-Acute Care Use Associated with Medicare Shared Savings Program and Disparities.

Kim Y, Thirukumaran C, Temkin-Greener H, Holloway R, Hill E, Li Y

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.. 2022 September 12 Epub 09/12/2022.

Black Race, Hispanic Ethnicity, and Medicaid Insurance are Associated with Lower Rates of Rotator Cuff Repair in New York State.

Hwang A, Zhang L, Ramirez G, Maloney M, Voloshin I, Thirukumaran C

Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association.. 2022 July 8 Epub 07/08/2022.

Association of Time Elapsed Since Ischemic Stroke With Risk of Recurrent Stroke in Older Patients Undergoing Elective Nonneurologic, Noncardiac Surgery.

Glance LG, Benesch CG, Holloway RG, Thirukumaran CP, Nadler JW, Eaton MP, Fleming FJ, Dick AW

JAMA surgery.. 2022 June 29 :e222236. Epub 06/29/2022.

Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life After Harrington Instrumentation and Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Minimum 40-Year Follow-up.

Lander ST, Thirukumaran C, Saleh A, Noble KL, Menga EN, Mesfin A, Rubery PT, Sanders JO

The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.. 2022 June 1104 (11):995-1003. Epub 04/22/2022.

A workplace wellness program at an academic health center influences employee health, satisfaction, productivity and the rate of workplace injury.

Rubery PT, Ramirez G, D'Agostino CR, Vasalos K, Thirukumaran C

International archives of occupational and environmental health.. 2022 May 2 Epub 05/02/2022.

Association of Medicare Mandatory Bundled Payment Reform With Joint Replacement Surgery Use for Beneficiaries With Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias.

Thirukumaran CP, Ricciardi BF, Cai X, Holloway RG, Li Y, Glance LG

JAMA health forum.. 2022 February 3 (2):e215111. Epub 02/11/2022.

Does Hypothetical Centralization of Revision THA and TKA Exacerbate Existing Geographic or Demographic Disparities in Access to Care By Increased Patient Travel Distances or Times? A Large-database Study.

Ramirez G, Myers TG, Thirukumaran CP, Ricciardi BF

Clinical orthopaedics and related research.. 2021 December 6 Epub 12/06/2021.

Skilled Nursing Facility Participation in a Voluntary Medicare Bundled Payment Program: Association With Facility Financial Performance.

Ying M, Temkin-Greener H, Thirukumaran CP, Joynt Maddox KE, Holloway RG, Li Y

Medical care.. 2021 November 23 Epub 11/23/2021.

Mismatch between Pelvic Incidence and Lumbar Lordosis is the Key Sagittal Plane Determinant of Patient Outcome at minimum 40 Years after Instrumented Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Rubery PT, Lander ST, Mesfin A, Sanders JO, Thirukumaran CP

Spine.. 2021 November 18 Epub 11/18/2021.

Lessons from Medicare's Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative for postacute care.

Thirukumaran CP

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.. 2021 September 12 Epub 09/12/2021.

Association Between the Physician Quality Score in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System and Hospital Performance in Hospital Compare in the First Year of the Program.

Glance LG, Thirukumaran CP, Feng C, Lustik SJ, Dick AW

JAMA network open.. 2021 August 24 (8):e2118449. Epub 08/02/2021.

The Triple Aim for Payment Reform in Joint Replacement Surgery: Quality, Spending, and Disparity Reduction.

Thirukumaran CP, Rosenthal MB

JAMA.. 2021 July 23 Epub 07/23/2021.

Institutional Postacute Care Use May Help Reduce Readmissions for Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Kim Y, Thirukumaran C, Temkin-Greener H, Hill E, Holloway R, Li Y

Medical care.. 2021 May 13 Epub 05/13/2021.

Association of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model With Disparities in the Use of Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement.

Thirukumaran CP, Kim Y, Cai X, Ricciardi BF, Li Y, Fiscella KA, Mesfin A, Glance LG

JAMA network open.. 2021 May 34 (5):e2111858. Epub 05/03/2021.

Early complications and reoperation rates are similar amongst open reduction internal fixation, intramedullary nail, and distal femoral replacement for periprosthetic distal femur fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Quinzi DA, Ramirez G, Kaplan NB, Myers TG, Thirukumaran CP, Ricciardi BF

Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery.. 2021 March 20 Epub 03/20/2021.

The Unequal Burden of COVID-19 Deaths in Counties With High Proportions of Black and Hispanic Residents.

Glance LG, Thirukumaran CP, Dick AW

Medical care.. 2021 March 17 Epub 03/17/2021.

The Effect of Medicare Shared Savings Program on Readmissions and Variations by Race/Ethnicity and Payer Status (December 9, 2020).

Kim Y, Thirukumaran C, Temkin-Greener H, Hill E, Holloway R, Li Y

Medical care.. 2021 January 28 Epub 01/28/2021.

Association of Mandatory Bundled Payments for Joint Replacement With Postacute Care Outcomes Among Medicare and Medicaid Dual Eligible Patients.

Li Y, Ying M, Cai X, Thirukumaran CP

Medical care.. 2020 December 2 Epub 12/02/2020.

Identification and Characterization of a High-Need, High-Cost group among Hospitalized SLE patients.

Anandarajah A, Thirukumaran C, McCarthy K, McMahon S, Feng C, Ritchlin C

Arthritis care & research.. 2020 November 17 Epub 11/17/2020.

Geographic Variation and Disparities in Total Joint Replacement Use for Medicare Beneficiaries: 2009 to 2017.

Thirukumaran CP, Cai X, Glance LG, Kim Y, Ricciardi BF, Fiscella KA, Li Y

The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.. 2020 October 20 Epub 10/20/2020.

Trends in the Management of Traumatic Upper Extremity Amputations.

Kurucan E, Thirukumaran C, Hammert WC

The Journal of hand surgery.. 2020 July 19 Epub 07/19/2020.

Evaluating Trends and Outcomes of Spinal Deformity Surgery in Cerebral Palsy Patients.

Menga EN, Bernstein DN, Thirukumaran C, McCormick SK, Rubery PT, Mesfin A

International journal of spine surgery.. 2020 June 14 (3):382-390. Epub 06/30/2020.

Volume-Outcome Relationship in Halo Vest Utilization for C2 Fractures.

Kurucan E, Sulovari A, Thirukumaran C, Greenstein A, Molinari R, Mesfin A

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2020 May 28 Epub 05/28/2020.

Improving The Accuracy Of Hospital Quality Ratings By Focusing On The Association Between Volume And Outcome.

Glance LG, Thirukumaran CP, Li Y, Gao S, Dick AW

Health affairs.. 2020 May 39 (5):862-870. Epub 1900 01 01.

Predictors of 30-Day Unplanned Readmissions, Complications, and Mortality Following Operative Management of C2 Fractures.

Bernstein DN, Thirukumaran C, Raudenbush B, Molinari RW, Menga EN, Mesfin A

Global spine journal.. 2020 April 10 (2):130-137. Epub 05/01/2019.

Trends in Postacute Care Use and Outcomes After Hip and Knee Replacements in Dual-Eligible Medicare and Medicaid Beneficiaries, 2013-2016.

Li Y, Ying M, Cai X, Kim Y, Thirukumaran CP

JAMA network open.. 2020 March 23 (3):e200368. Epub 03/02/2020.

Impact of medicaid expansion on disparities in revascularization in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction.

Glance LG, Thirukumaran CP, Shippey E, Lustik SJ, Dick AW

PloS one.. 2020 15 (12):e0243385. Epub 12/23/2020.

Impact of Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program Penalties on Hip and Knee Replacement Readmissions: Comparison of Hospitals at Risk of Varying Penalty Amounts.

Thirukumaran CP, McGarry BE, Glance LG, Ying M, Ricciardi BF, Cai X, Li Y

The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.. 2019 October 15 Epub 10/15/2019.

Complications and Mortality Rates Following Surgical Management of Extradural Spine Tumors in New York State.

Williams DM, Thirukumaran CP, Moses JT, Mesfin A

Spine.. 2019 October 15 Epub 10/15/2019.

Natural Language Processing for the Identification of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopaedics.

Thirukumaran CP, Zaman A, Rubery PT, Calabria C, Li Y, Ricciardi BF, Bakhsh WR, Kautz H

The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.. 2019 October 9 Epub 10/09/2019.

Postdischarge Opiate-Prescribing Habits for Primary THA and TKA: A Survey of American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Members.

Lipof JS, Thirukumaran CP, Greenstein AS, Zmich Z, Lander A, Ricciardi BF

Orthopedics.. 2019 July 26 :1-7. Epub 07/26/2019.

Creating Value in Spine Surgery: Using Patient Reported Outcomes to Compare the Short-term Impact of Different Orthopaedic Surgical Procedures.

Jevotovsky DS, Thirukumaran CP, Rubery PT

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2019 June 20 Epub 06/20/2019.

Penalties and Rewards for Safety Net vs Non-Safety Net Hospitals in the First 2 Years of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model.

Thirukumaran CP, Glance LG, Cai X, Kim Y, Li Y

JAMA.. 2019 May 28321 (20):2027-2030. Epub 1900 01 01.

What Is the Association Between Hospital Volume and Complications After Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Large-database Study.

Ricciardi BF, Liu AY, Qiu B, Myers TG, Thirukumaran CP

Clinical orthopaedics and related research.. 2019 May 477 (5):1221-1231. Epub 1900 01 01.

The 2018 International Consensus Meeting on Musculoskeletal Infection: Research Priorities from the General Assembly Questions.

Schwarz EM, Parvizi J, Gehrke T, Aiyer A, Battenberg A, Brown SA, Callaghan JJ, Citak M, Egol K, Garrigues GE, Ghert M, Goswami K, Green A, Hammoud S, Kates SL, McLaren AC, Mont MA, Namdari S, Obremskey WT, O'Toole R, Raikin S, Restrepo C, Ricciardi B, Saeed K, Sanchez-Sotelo J, Shohat N, Tan T, Thirukumaran CP, Winters B

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.. 2019 April 12 Epub 04/12/2019.

Performance Of Safety-Net Hospitals In Year 1 Of The Comprehensive Care For Joint Replacement Model.

Thirukumaran CP, Glance LG, Cai X, Balkissoon R, Mesfin A, Li Y

Health affairs.. 2019 February 38 (2):190-196. Epub 1900 01 01.

The Business Case for Surgical Quality - Using a Multidisciplinary Team to Drive Pediatric Surgery Quality Improvement

Wolcott K, Schriefer J, Michels J, Meyers J, Hilt S, Gitzelmann C, Pegoli W, Caserta M, McGuire A, Thirukumaran C, Pulhamus M, Foito T, Sanders J.

Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing. 2019; 8(1): 15-20.

Impact of Medicare's Nonpayment Program on Venous Thromboembolism Following Hip and Knee Replacements.

Thirukumaran CP, Glance LG, Rosenthal MB, Temkin-Greener H, Balkissoon R, Mesfin A, Li Y

Health services research.. 2018 December 53 (6):4381-4402. Epub 07/18/2018.

Risk factors for reoperation, readmission, and early complications after below knee amputation.

Ciufo DJ, Thirukumaran CP, Marchese R, Oh I

Injury.. 2018 October 30 Epub 10/30/2018.

Greater Reductions in Readmission Rates Achieved by Urban Hospitals Participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

Kim Y, Thirukumaran CP, Li Y

Medical care.. 2018 August 56 (8):686-692. Epub 1900 01 01.

Does Medicare Advantage Reduce Racial Disparity in 30-Day Rehospitalization for Medicare Beneficiaries?

Li Y, Cen X, Cai X, Wang D, Thirukumaran CP, Glance LG

Medical care research and review : MCRR.. 2018 April 75 (2):175-200. Epub 12/06/2016.

National Trends in Spinal Fusion Surgery for Neurofibromatosis.

Kurucan E, Bernstein DN, Thirukumaran C, Jain A, Menga EN, Rubery PT, Mesfin A

Spine deformity.. 2018 6 (6):712-718. Epub 1900 01 01.

A Review of a Workers' Compensation Database 2003 to 2013: Patient Factors Influencing Return to Work and Cumulative Financial Claims After Rotator Cuff Repair in Geriatric Workers' Compensation Cases.

Shields E, Thirukumaran C, Noyes K, Voloshin I

Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation.. 2017 December 8 (4):208-214. Epub 10/25/2017.

Complications and readmission after lumbar spine surgery in elderly patients: an analysis of 2,320 patients.

Saleh A, Thirukumaran C, Mesfin A, Molinari RW

The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society.. 2017 August 17 (8):1106-1112. Epub 04/03/2017.

Medicare Advantage Associated With More Racial Disparity Than Traditional Medicare For Hospital Readmissions.

Li Y, Cen X, Cai X, Thirukumaran CP, Zhou J, Glance LG

Health affairs.. 2017 July 136 (7):1328-1335. Epub 06/21/2017.

Complications and Readmission After Cervical Spine Surgery in Elderly Patients: An Analysis of 1786 Patients.

Bernstein DN, Thirukumaran C, Saleh A, Molinari RW, Mesfin A

World neurosurgery.. 2017 July 103 :859-868.e8. Epub 04/26/2017.

Impact of Medicare's Nonpayment Program on Hospital-acquired Conditions.

Thirukumaran CP, Glance LG, Temkin-Greener H, Rosenthal MB, Li Y

Medical care.. 2017 May 55 (5):447-455. Epub 1900 01 01.

Impact of a Comparative Study on the Management of Scoliosis in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Are Corticosteroids Decreasing the Rate of Scoliosis Surgery in the United States?

Raudenbush BL, Thirukumaran CP, Li Y, Sanders JO, Rubery PT, Mesfin A

Spine.. 2016 September 41 (17):E1030-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Patient factors influencing return to work and cumulative financial claims after clavicle fractures in workers' compensation cases.

Shields E, Thirukumaran C, Thorsness R, Noyes K, Voloshin I

Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery. 2016 July 25 (7):1115-21. Epub 04/08/2016.

National Trends in the Surgical Management of Adult Lumbar Isthmic Spondylolisthesis: 1998 to 2011.

Thirukumaran CP, Raudenbush B, Li Y, Molinari R, Rubery P, Mesfin A

Spine.. 2016 March 41 (6):490-501. Epub 1900 01 01.

An analysis of adult patient risk factors and complications within 30 days after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Shields E, Thirukumaran C, Thorsness R, Noyes K, Voloshin I

Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association.. 2015 May 31 (5):807-15. Epub 02/04/2015.

The impact of electronic health record implementation and use on performance of the Surgical Care Improvement Project measures.

Thirukumaran CP, Dolan JG, Webster PR, Panzer RJ, Friedman B

Health services research.. 2015 February 50 (1):273-89. Epub 06/26/2014.