2019 Jingle Bell Run Honorees

Jeffrey Kutsikovich, MD
Medical Honoree


Dr. Jeffrey Kutsikovich is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in treatment of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder including carpal tunnel release, distal radius fractures, CMC arthroplasty, wrist arthroscopy and shoulder arthroscopy and rotator cuff repair. He has a special interest in tendon repair and and early motion therapies. Dr. Kutsikovich earned his medical degree in 2010 from the Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Campbell Clinic. He completed fellowship training at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center in Indianapolis. He is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Kutsikovich currently serves as the team physician for Independence High School. He enjoys playing the guitar, skiing and golfing in his spare time.

Join Dr. Kutsikovich in the fight against arthritis, register or donate today!

Kailyn Backsmeier
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Adult Honoree


Kaitlyn’s journey with Rheumatoid Arthritis started at the age of 3. One morning, without showing any previous symptoms, she woke up in agonizing pain. Unable to walk to get help, she started crawling. Her mother found her, and discovered she had a very swollen right knee and left ankle joint. She immediately brought her to their pediatrician, where they were sent right away to a specialist in the city. This started a long relationship with Rheumatologists.

Kaitlyn says her diagnosis was the hardest on her parents. They were suddenly propelled into a world where young children could get arthritis. What was commonly known back then as just an “older person’s disease.” She was so young and just did not understand why she could not continue to run and keep up with her older brothers. The following months were filled with leg braces, countless blood drawings, and pumping a tiny body full of Tylenol.

She was one of the lucky ones. Her symptoms dissipated after a couple of years. She went through most of her young adult life without many of her closest friends even knowing that she had this invisible disease. Until one morning when she was 18 years old, it struck as quickly as it had the first time. 

Kaitlyn can now say she is fluent in the language of Biologics, having been on: Humira, Enbrel, Xeljanz, and Cimzia. Along with two knee surgeries, many rounds of steroids and injections into the knee. However, with the support of her family and friends she still am able to lead a happy and healthy life. She loves traveling with her husband, playing with their beloved dog Charlie, and even being able to enjoy spin classes.

One of the main reasons she enjoys being involved with the Jingle Bell Run is seeing how many family, friends, co-workers, and members of society truly care about this cause. She has seen what this disease can do to a body. She has felt the pain, mentally and physically, of not being able to get out of bed. But, she has also come out of flares time and time again.

Iris Hanai
Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Teen Honoree

Iris is a compassionate, supportive friend with a great sense of humor. She is also sister to an older and younger brother, and a younger sister. She has 14 first cousins! Iris was diagnosed with JIA about two years ago at the age of 14. It caught everyone completely off guard, but she has been amazing as she has learned as much as she can about JIA and what it means for her. With the support of her doctors, therapists and parents she has become a great advocate for herself.

In this short period of time, Iris has made some incredible friends through Camp Acheaway and the Teen Retreat the Arthritis Foundation runs. These opportunities to get away and spend time with peers who “get it” have been invaluable to her. The Arthritis Foundation has already given so much to Iris and she is excited to be this year’s Jingle Bell Run Teen Honoree so that she can help educate people about JIA and raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation.

Iris is constantly learning how to become a better photographer, loves to play volleyball, and one day hopes to work with kids who have disabilities. She is grateful for her team at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt for taking such good care of her and encouraging her to continue to pursue her passions

Willa Graves
Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Youth Honoree


At 2 years old Willa (and the rest of the family) experienced months of confusion, frustration, mornings waking crippled by pain, and more than a few nights of terror. After a series of visits to her primary physician and multiple specialists Willa was diagnosed with Oligoarticular Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis. After six months of sedation, MRIs, and infusions Willa’s elbows, ankles, and feet were being affected in addition to her knees and she was classified as now having Polyarticular JIA.

As a family, we struggled with the choices of medications. Thanks to the Pediatric Rheumatology team at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and through ongoing education and research, new studies were performed, thankfully proving no appreciable risk of unwanted side effects. The decision was made to change Willa’s treatment plan and medications. She began treatments with Methotrexate and Orencia infusions at the hospital. Currently, Willa continues to be a true warrior through weekly injections of Methotrexate and Enbrel.

Willa has been amazing throughout this experience. This beautiful girl is even patient with and conscious of her dietary restrictions. Willa pauses anyone offering food to ensure it is a healthy choice. Now 5, Willa has had multiple doctor’s visits reporting a continued decrease in inflammation. Willa’s strong character has allowed her to continue her busy life style and enjoy the activities of a healthy child. She looks forward to growing into a vivacious young lady and pursuing her numerous passions. This is our second year to be a part of the jingle bell run as the “Willa Walkers”. We hope our team grows even larger than before.