Medical Student Education
Saint Louis University School of Medicine students exploring orthopaedic surgery have access to labs, lectures and a variety of subspecialty rotations.
Orthopaedic Surgery Student Interest Group
Medical students’ introduction to orthopaedic surgery often begins through the department’s Orthopaedic Surgery Student Interest Group. Leaders coordinate multiple meetings throughout the year and work closely with faculty and residents to ensure medical student exposure.
Key Experiences
- Sawbones labs
- Cast and splint labs
- Subspecialty lectures
- Match panel discussions
Medical Student Rotations
SLU medical students can complete numerous orthopaedic surgery rotations throughout their four years of undergraduate training. The opportunities provide the time, training and hands-on experience necessary to determine if orthopaedics is the right fit.
Key Experiences
- Career Exploration Electives: weeklong rotations learning the daily responsibilities of an orthopaedic surgeon
- Core Clinical Clerkships: opportunities during a surgery clerkship to rotate on pediatric orthopaedics, orthopaedic trauma or adult total joint reconstruction
- Monthlong Rotations: opportunities during the latter half of clinical training to rotation through subspecialties
including:
- Adult orthopaedic spine surgery
- Adult total joint reconstruction
- Sports medicine
- Pediatric orthopaedics
- Sub-Internship in Orthopaedic Trauma: a monthlong experience for students highly interested in orthopaedics who would like to distinguish themselves and pursue a career in the field
Junior Orthopaedic Fellowship
This one-year, paid fellowship is open to medical school graduates interested in an orthopaedic surgery career. Approximately half of the fellow's time is clinical and half is dedicated to research.
Explore the Junior Orthopaedic Fellowship
Orthopaedic Surgery Specialty Advisor
As part of its commitment to medical education, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery arranges regular meetings with students who are actively interested in exploring a career in the field.
Key Experiences
- Faculty mentorship during exploratory process
- Guidance for applying to and selecting away rotations
- Residency program matching strategies, including program signaling
- Assistance with application materials, such as obtaining letters of recommendation and writing personal statements
- Support to successfully complete the USMLE
Visiting Medical Students
Medical students who are not enrolled at Saint Louis University School of Medicine can apply for an away four-week rotation in orthopaedics through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) Program. Students will increase their knowledge, receive hands-on training and work closely with department faculty, staff and residents.
Key Experiences
- Two-week orthopaedic trauma rotation
- Two-week subspecialty rotation
- Pediatric orthopaedics
- Adult total joint reconstruction
- Adult orthopaedic spine surgery
- Occasional on-call duty alongside faculty and junior/senior resident
- Educational conferences held twice per week