Alongside 7 other students, 4 women and 4 men in total, our diversity extending in every direction imaginable, I was welcomed into every single aspect of orthopedic surgery - operating rooms, clinic, bioskills cadaver lab, research, and community. They taught me anatomy, how to cast, procedures for alleviating a variety of ailments, and how to examine a patient to elicit the important findings that would inform their care. Welcomed with open arms by willing mentors, I was given the opportunity to learn about (and fall in love with) a specialty that I had previously had minimal interaction with.
This early exposure to orthopedics and musculoskeletal education afforded me the chance to envision myself 10 years in the future, an orthopedic surgeon. As I work towards applying to orthopedic surgery residency in September of this year, I still go back to those moments 6 years ago when asked why I want to be an orthopedic surgeon. I recognize how important it is for young people to have an example of what is possible, especially with the help of dedicated mentors, and I hope to be a similar source of support and encouragement.
Author: Grace Plassche, M.D. Candidate | Class of 2024 | Columbia University | Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
