Pushing the boundaries of spinal cord injury research: The Ernest Bors Award for Scientific Development

Each year, the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, official journal of the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals, offers The Ernest Bors, MD Award for Scientific Development.¹ The award memorializes Ernest “Pappy” Bors, MD, (1900–1990), a pioneer in the care of veterans disabled by spinal cord injury. The award recognizes excellence in spinal cord injury research among professionals who share Dr. Bors’ dedication to transforming the future of people living with spinal cord injury.²

Dr. Bors provided clinical care during a time when little was known about spinal cord injury, and few clinicians had interest in patients considered “hopeless cases”. To improve the care of his patients, Dr. Bors engaged in bedside research that formed the knowledge base for treating the secondary medical complications that had such devastating effects on their quality of life. Working with few resources, in 1971, he and fellow pioneer Estin Comarr, MD,³ published the first textbook on neuro-urology, a reference that is remains widely respected.⁴

Today, 50 years after the publication of that landmark text, spinal cord research ranks among the most exciting fields in the world, and young investigators are pushing the boundaries of multiple disciplines, building on the foundation established by the early pioneers.

This year, 14 primary authors submitted applications for their research articles published in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine in 2020, the largest number of applicants in the history of this competitive award. Judges drawn from the Editorial Board scored each article for novelty, appropriateness of methodology and techniques, clarity of presentation, and the importance of the study findings to individuals with spinal cord injury/dysfunction. Judges also evaluated each candidate’s role in their research study and their commitment to a career relevant to advancing spinal cord injury care and research.

This year’s recipient is Nicholas Santino, primary author of the article titled, “Physical activity and life satisfaction among individuals with spinal cord injury: Exploring loneliness as a possible mediator,” published online by the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine on May 7, 2020.⁵ Nicholas Santino is a doctoral candidate in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science at York University in Toronto, Ontario, training under the supervision of Dr. Rebecca Bassett-Gunter.

Following his master’s level work in adolescents with disabilities, Santino worked with a team of Canadian professionals interested in factors associated with the health and wellbeing of individuals with spinal cord injury, extending his study of the intersection of sport, physical activity, and health policy to this population. The result was the first study to examine the association between leisure time physical activity, loneliness, and life satisfaction among people with spinal cord injury/dysfunction and to establish a conceptual model for understanding the potential mediating role of loneliness in this relationship.

The editors of JSCM and the leadership of the Academy are pleased to welcome Dr. Santino to the ranks of Bors Awardees who have dedicated their careers to finding ways to improve the quality of life of persons living with spinal cord injury. Santino is among the professionals sharing their research during the Academy’s Hybrid Educational Conference & Expo - “Don’t Stop Believing in the SCI Journey” – held September 5–8 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada.

Papers accepted by the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine during 2021 may be eligible for consideration for the next Bors Award. Primary authors of research articles are encouraged to contact the assistant editor for an application following notification of acceptance for publication in the Journal. For manuscripts accepted during 2020, the deadline for applications is January 15, 2022.