Opportunities
Medical Students
The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has a very active clinical and basic science research program that offers stimulating opportunities for medical students. In the past, several students have completed projects that lead to presentations at national meetings and publication in orthopaedic journals. There are several different pathways for medical student research:
1. Programs specifically for students attending the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine:
A. Scholarly Pursuit (Voluntary, 3+ months)
Scholarly pursuit projects are a requirement of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and may be completed in our division. These projects must be focused, mentored and full-time commitments. This requirement is fulfilled by a 3-month project, a year-long project, or by earning a second degree after matriculation into medical school.
Penn med students please see the following link for more information: http://www.med.upenn.edu/student/scholarlystudy/
2. All Medical Students-Programs for all medical students (for ANY student attending an accredited medical school including the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine)
A. Research Program (Voluntary, 12+ weeks, anytime of year)
The orthopaedic faculty at CHOP have dozens of ongoing research projects, many of which may be appropriate for medical student participation. The time commitment to complete research is flexible and variable, and is left to the discretion of the medical student and the attending surgeon working on the project. However, the ideal time commitment is at least three months with a minimum goal of having a published article or public presentation on the obtained results. Students may contact the division at any point throughout medical school, although the most common times to do research are in the summer between the first and second year, or as a Scholarly Pursuit for senior Penn Medical Students.
A list of research projects is available. Interested students should contact the Orthopaedic Research Office at orthoresearch@email.chop.edu for a list of available projects and the associated faculty person or if they have any questions. Please click on the following link to apply: Research Projects Program.
We cannot provide stipends or significant funding for such research, but many grants are available as listed below.
B. Benjamin Fox Medical Student Research Award (One Year, Funded by CHOP)
Award Details
The CHOP Benjamin Fox Orthopaedic Research Scholar Award promotes clinical research by giving extraordinary medical students the opportunity to investigate pertinent topics in clinical orthopaedic research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. While there are several funded year-out programs for medical school students to conduct research, this award is unique because it is specifically designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in Orthopaedic Surgery. The Ben Fox scholar spends the year doing clinical research, supplemented by weekly sessions in clinic, working alongside surgeon-mentors. The Ben Fox scholar may do research with any member of the CHOP Division of Orthopaedics.
Eligibility
Applicants should be completing their 3rd year of medical school (in rare circumstances, uniquely qualified students finishing their 2nd year may be considered). The student must be in good academic standing and must have an interest in pursuing a career in Orthopaedic Surgery. The successful applicant will be responsible, motivated, intellectually curious and independent.
Award Stipend and Benefits
The recipient of this award will receive a $20,000 stipend to cover living expenses for the year.
How to Apply
The deadline for the application is February 1, 2013. However, we recommend submitting an application as soon as possible.
Click for the Application for the CHOP Benjamin Fox Orthopaedic Research Scholar Award.
If you have any questions regarding the application, contact Melissa Gunderson at gundersonm@email.chop.edu.
For additional information please view our brochure.
C. Medical Student Summer Orthopaedic Research Fellowship
The objective of this fellowship is to encourage medical students considering a career in orthopaedics to gain experience in basic, clinical or translational research. The medical student needs to identify an investigator with an ongoing orthopaedic research project who is willing to accept the student as a research assistant and act as his/her mentor. OREF will provide $2,500 as salary support for the student.
Please go to www.oref.org for more information regarding this opportunity and many more.
Residents
A. Research Year
Residents in the University of Pennsylvania program may spend a year of research in our division, performing clinical or basic science research. We encourage residents to formulate hypotheses and design projects in order to allow them to experience the entire scope of a research endeavor. Please refer to the "Funding Opportunities" section for more information.
B. Other opportunities
Residents are always encouraged to participate in our research endeavors as part of their training program. Residents from the University of Pennsylvania program are involved in many ongoing projects at various levels of their training, and at various levels of responsibility. With a wealth of clinical material and a solid research infrastructure, residents find research in our division a highly fruitful experience. Please browse our "Ongoing Projects" section for ideas, and feel free to contact Donna Dougherty at doughertyd@email.chop.edu for more information.
C. Fellowship
Residents may consider applying for a fellowship in our division to gain additional experience in the field of pediatric orthopaedics and pediatric orthopaedic research. See our fellowship opportunities for more information.
Fellows
A. Research Fellowship
We offer two, one-year research fellowships to residents who have completed their residency or equivalent training overseas. Candidates will have the opportunity to spend the year shadowing physicians within the clinic and operative room, as well as work to lead research projects within our department. Please contact us at oshea@email.chop.edu for more information.
Please click on the following link to apply: Fellow Application
B. Clinical Fellowship
Residents interested in pursuing a career in pediatric orthopaedic surgery may apply for our 12 month ACGME accredited clinical fellowship. We currently train two fellows per year. Please fill out the attached application and contact us at collinsa@email.chop.edu for more information.
Please click on the following link to apply: Fellow Application
C. International Visiting Scholar Opportunity
Our division invites international fellows, doctors or health care providers with equivalent training to visit our hospital and shadow our physicians upon request. Please fill out the attached application and contact chestnut@email.chop.edu for more information.
Please click on the following link to apply: Fellow Application