The ONSF Arthroscopy, Surgical Skills and Biomechanical Research Lab provides an ideal mentor/student atmosphere for our annual Mini Med School. This year’s Mini-med School took place June 22 – 25, 2015. Fifteen high school students enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to participate in a “hands-on” experience, a one week workshop in orthopedics. Students attending represented Greenwich Academy, Greenwich High School, Brunswick School, Sacred Heart Academy and Poly Prep School and demonstrated an interest in careers in medicine or were enrolled in a STEM program. 

Doctors discussed orthopedic problems, physical examination and diagnosis. Broken wrist? No problem for these students who spent two sessions in a casting workshop. From putting on surgical scrubs to learning surgical procedures, students were introduced to the operating room environment. In addition, they participated in lectures and a workshop that dealt exclusively with suturing. 

 
Other activities included learning the fine points of fluoroscopy and actually performing knee and shoulder arthroscopy on “Alex” models. Orthopedic surgeons made it possible for the students to look inside the distal radius models, observe the injury and tissues and make the necessary repairs. Student Jessica Liu wrote that she had “…a truly rewarding experience… I learned so much from the doctors’ experiences …strengthening my strong desire to become a doctor and pursue a career in medicine.” 

 
The week included an ultra-sound workshop, review of X-ray and MRI, an introduction to physical therapy and some one on one time with ONSF research interns. From a close review of student comments, the words “awesome, amazing, exceptional” were frequently repeated and many underlined a serious interest in medicine.