PITTSBURGH, PA - Dr. Joseph Maroon, clinical professor of neurological surgery at UPMC, received the 2026 Lion's Pride Award from the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation. The award honors his pioneering work in spinal cord injury research and patient care, and was presented at the annual Shalieve gathering on January 22, 2026, at Kingfly Spirits in Pittsburgh.
Dr. Maroon contributed to the care of Ryan Shazier following the former Steelers linebacker's catastrophic spinal cord injury in 2017. Shazier, a two-time Pro Bowler and first-round draft pick out of Ohio State, suffered a spinal contusion during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 4, 2017. Given only a 20 percent chance of walking again, Shazier defied the odds through 130 rehabilitation sessions and famously danced at his wedding just 17 months later.
Inspired by his recovery, Shazier established the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation in 2020. The foundation supports spinal cord injury patients and caregivers with resources and funding to promote independent living. Its Golden Window Program provides stipends for rehabilitation, home modifications, and adaptive equipment in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Dr. Maroon served as team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 40 years and was the first neurosurgeon directly appointed by an NFL team. He co-developed ImPACT, the global standard for sports-related concussion testing, and has published more than 340 peer-reviewed papers. He is a past president of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and an Ironman triathlete.
The Shalieve event also recognized Matt Berwick with the Shalieve Award and Edgar Snyder and Associates with the Kassling Family Leadership Award. Shazier now serves as an offensive assistant coach for the Steelers and continues to advocate for the spinal cord injury community.
For more information about the Ryan Shazier Fund, visit www.ryanshazierfund.org.