Exposure is the first step in a student’s career exploration process – if they don’t realize opportunities exist, they’re unable to pursue them. Beyond exposure, being able to envision themselves thriving within the profession adds another layer of intrigue and excitement.
Campbell Clinic Foundation is committed to creating experiences that place a career in orthopaedic surgery or accompanying fields at the forefront of prospective medical student minds – and one of the most recent ways we did this was through our inaugural Orthopaedic Exploration Day.
On November 1, STEM and health-care-minded students from White Station and Collierville High Schools gathered at the BRIDGES Center to explore career opportunities in orthopaedic medicine and surgery. Our goal was not just to tell them about the field, though foundational knowledge is important.
We created an experience so they could interact with physicians and use the instruments found in Campbell Clinic and hospital operating rooms and clinics across the city. Campbell Clinic residents, fellows, staff MDs, physical therapists, and cast techs generously volunteered their morning, facilitating immersive and engaging stations that focused on the tactile operations of a facet of orthopaedic care. Their primary task? Get students to interact with the materials and ask questions! Participants learned about casting, joint repair, and the industry-leading technology that contributes to patient wellness.
“Overall, I really enjoyed each of the stations, there was something to learn from each professional there and it was just eye opening to see the technology used every day to care for others,” one student shared. Another’s eyes were opened to the interdisciplinary opportunities that exist in orthopaedic medicine, “Something I learned that surprised me was the amount of drilling that is used in the medical field,” they said. “It opened my eyes to how engineering plays a bigger role in the medical field.”
With their eyes now opened to the practices explored by each station, students had the opportunity to sit down with these same physicians, residents, technicians, physical therapists, and industry professionals to navigate what can be an overwhelming question: How to go I from being a medicine-oriented high school student to an orthopaedic surgeon? Our team ate lunch with the students, sharing their wisdom and experience; answering questions about the academic, service, and experiential pathways they should pursue to actualize a career in this field.
For 100 years through our residency program, Campbell Clinic Foundation has been committed to surgeon education. Orthopaedic Exploration Day is an opportunity to connect with the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons and engage with all students, regardless of race, gender or background. Our goal was to provide all participants with a meaningful experience, allowing them to explore their interest in medicine and surgery – and we are confident the day accomplished the task.
“Collaboration with peers and the medical professionals was very rewarding and grew my interest in pursuing a career in orthopedic medicine,” said a student. Through sparking interest in orthopaedic medicine, we hope to expand the pool of future surgeons.
