Orthopaedic Summer Scholars Programs

"Participating in the Emory Orthopaedic Summer Scholars Program was one of the most rewarding experiences of my medical education. This invaluable six-week experience was thoughtfully designed to provide meaningful exposure to orthopaedic surgery while fostering an encouraging and supportive learning environment. Every surgeon I had the privilege of learning from was incredibly welcoming, patient, and genuinely invested in my growth, always taking the time to answer my questions and share their knowledge. One of the highlights of the program was the hands-on cadaver labs, which gave me the opportunity to perform procedures and gain experiences that I never imagined I would have this early in my training. Being able to observe surgeries in the operating room and then practice those techniques in the lab made the learning experience even more impactful. Beyond the clinical and surgical exposure, this program strengthened my confidence, reaffirmed my passion for orthopaedic surgery, and allowed me to build meaningful relationships with mentors and fellow scholars who continuously encouraged and inspired me. I will forever be grateful to everyone who dedicated their time and energy to making this program possible. It was one of the most informative, inspiring, and enjoyable experiences I have had in a very long time, and I leave knowing that these six weeks have had a lasting impact on both my career aspirations and my confidence as a future physician."- Kennedy B.

“This summer program was truly one of the most informative, insightful, and inspiring programs I have ever experienced. Coming into this program, I was always interested in orthopedics as a career, and what I had the opportunity to see and learned only further reinforced that this is the specialty for me. The attendings, fellows, and residents truly opened up to me and taught me so much about orthopedics as a specialty and how to give quality care. These 6-weeks showed me different ways to show up for patients while still leading with empathy and compassion. My time in the OR was transformative as it illustrated the layers to surgery and all the moving parts that are needed to keep patients safe and healthy from start to finish. I enjoyed seeing how connected the physicians, athletic trainers, residents, circulators, fellows, scrub techs, anesthesiologists, and reps were throughout each case and the importance of connecting with the everyone involved in a case. This program gave us hands on experiences that honed clinical skills, like suturing and knot tying, that I had not yet been exposed to. We got a taste of orthopedic surgery with cadaver labs and fracture fixation labs that gave us hands-on experiences with orthopedics. The workshops we took part in provided more time for us to connect to attendings and learn about research, diversity in orthopedics, life in residency, amongst other topics that gave us a peek behind the veil of orthopedics and medicine. They facilitated an environment where I felt comfortable asking questions that I otherwise wouldn’t have asked. Throughout these 6-weeks I became a sponge and took in more information than I ever could’ve imagined. As I am finishing out this program, I am feeling more confident and motivated in my journey to orthopedics.”  -Patricia R.

“My time as an Emory Orthopaedic Summer Scholar was one of the most meaningful experiences of my medical training so far. Over the past several weeks I had the privilege of learning across a remarkable range of subspecialties, including pediatric neuromuscular care, foot and ankle surgery, total joints, oncology. and hand surgery. Presenting a case at the end of the program challenged me to think like a surgeon rather than an observer, and the mentorship I received from the faculty made me feel genuinely welcomed into the orthopaedic community. As a medical student pursuing orthopaedics without a home program, I left Emory with sharper clinical knowledge and a clearer vision of the surgeon I hope to become. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Conduah and the program for an experience I will carry with me throughout my career.” -Melina K.

“Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the Emory Orthopaedic Summer Scholars Program this summer. I came in thinking I had already made up my mind about which subspecialty I wanted, but rotating through hand, spine, sports, and pediatric orthopaedics changed that. I left with more questions than answers, in the best way, because every rotation made the field more interesting rather than narrowing it down. What grew my passion most wasn't just seeing patients, but the time spent with attendings and residents outside the clinical setting, at didactics, meals, golf outings, workshops, and labs. Seeing myself in several different doctors, and getting real encouragement to pursue this career, made this program invaluable. I still don't know exactly which subspecialty I'll choose, but I'm leaving with a much clearer picture of academic orthopaedic medicine, what it takes to become an orthopaedic surgeon, and the values I want to carry into my career.” -Jacob N.

“Getting the unique opportunity to intern with the Emory Orthopedics Summer Scholars Program has provided me with a strong foundation as I continue my journey towards becoming an orthopedic surgeon. By shadowing renowned surgeons, I was able to solidify my passion in orthopedics and seek invaluable advice on how they got there. Perhaps the greatest part of this internship, for me, was the emphasis on active engagement rather than passive observation. Physicians welcomed questions and explained surgical approaches, X-rays, and tests. Furthermore, I was able to apply my newly gained knowledge through weekly surgical skills labs and workshops, truly a full circle moment. Through these workshops I also gained more insight into what makes a good orthopedic surgeon from residents and attendings. Finally, I ended the program by presenting my first of many hopefully case study on Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis, allowing me to once again synthesize everything I learned and instill confidence in myself. I am incredibly grateful for this program, the physicians, and coordinators for their dedication to pioneering the next generation in medicine. This experience has left me feeling inspired, capable, and excited for my future in orthopedics.” -Minha R.

“Participating in the Emory Orthopaedic Summer Immersion Program has been one of the most impactful experiences of my undergraduate journey. My interest in orthopedic surgery began years ago after breaking my femur while playing soccer and later watching my brother recover from an ACL reconstruction. Those experiences showed me how orthopedic surgeons do far more than repair injuries—they restore mobility, confidence, and the ability for patients to return to the activities that give their lives purpose. While those experiences sparked my passion, this program truly solidified it. Having the opportunity to learn from exceptional attendings, residents, fellows, physician assistants, and staff, observe surgeries across multiple subspecialties, and build meaningful relationships with mentors gave me an authentic understanding of what it means to be an orthopedic surgeon. Everyone's willingness to teach, answer questions, and invest in my growth made me feel like a valued member of the team from day one. This experience not only strengthened my desire to pursue a career in orthopedic sports medicine but also showed me the importance of compassion, teamwork, and lifelong learning in providing exceptional patient care. I am incredibly grateful to the Emory Department of Orthopaedic Surgery for an experience that has had a lasting impact on both my personal and professional development.” – Musa H.

"Wow wow wow. It’s hard to know where to begin with this testimonial. The six weeks I spent at Emory’s Orthopaedic Surgery Summer Scholars Program were nothing short of amazing, and I owe my deepest appreciation to every attending, resident, program coordinator, athletic trainer, nurse, surgical techs, and everyone I interacted with along the way who volunteered their time and patience to immerse students like me in the world of orthopedic surgery. In just six weeks, I was exposed to more subspecialties and more surgical cases than I had seen in my entire life up to that point. I learned about the research process, the evolving landscape of orthopedics, the sheer breadth of paths within this field, and I even got hands-on experience performing procedures on cadavers. I could go on about everything I gained academically, but what stood out most was the community. It’s easy to feel lost in the demands and expectations of being a trainee, so the connections and mentorship I built through this program felt incredibly rewarding. Every single person I worked with was welcoming from day one. The team worked together like family, and that created a safe, supportive environment to learn, train, and ask questions without hesitation. Special thanks to Dr. Conduah and all organizers of this program. This was one of the best six weeks of my life, and it’s only made me more certain and more excited about becoming an orthopedic surgeon." -Goodness A.