Orthopaedic ‘fervor’

The Third Annual Orthopaedic Surgery Research Symposium hosted by an OUWB student organization drew nearly 100 to Auburn Hills last week, including students from every medical school in Michigan.

Hosted by the Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Group — an OUWB student interest group — the event was held at the Red Ox Tavern, which is located adjacent to Oakland University.

Students expressed interest in the event’s networking opportunities along with the chance to show off their work, either through a virtual poster session or a competitive podium presentation. They also were able to meet with top orthopaedic surgeons from Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak, who shared valuable insights on topics like how to successfully match and what it’s like to be in the field.

The event was sponsored by medical suppliers and local physical therapy companies.

“It’s really important to be here and meet the medical students from the different schools, especially those who are interested in the same field,” said Nikhil Aggarwal, M2, OUWB.

“Another reason is to see the cool projects that are out there,” he added. “And I also appreciate the chance to meet the attendings at our program and get some face time with them…it’s absolutely fantastic.”

‘It’s amazing’

The conference was first held in 2020, at a time when attendees were required to wear masks as the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing.

M3 Maddie DeClercq first organized the event along with the orthopaedic surgeons who participate regularly.

Those surgeons are Drew Moore, M.D., assistant professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and program director of the orthopedic surgery residency program, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak; James Bicos, M.D., director of the sports medicine fellowship at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital; and Joseph Guettler, M.D., associate director of the sports medicine fellowship at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital. Also participating this year was Amir Lebaschi, M.D., a fellow in orthopaedic sports at Corewell.

DeClercq said she was “really, really happy” with the turnout and to see the event prosper under the new leadership of M2 Matthew Cederman.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “We developed the event was so that it was easy to replicate year after year.”

Traditionally, the event begins with Moore giving a brief presentation on what it takes to land an ortho residency at Corewell Health.

In short, the process is highly competitive, and applicants need to set themselves apart through hard work, good attitude, and willingness to learn — on top of a strong knowledgebase from their medical education.

“It’s very competitive so the earlier they understand the process, the more advantages they have to be doing the things they need to be doing at the right time,” said Moore.

Another tradition is the podium presentation contest. This year, six presentations were given. The Corewell physicians served as judges.

First place went to Tareq Hanna, M2, Wayne State University School of Medicine, followed by Mitchell Yelton, M3, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, in second, and Alex Lindahl, M3, OUWB, in third.

‘Like-minded, highly motivated people’

Attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to attend the conference.

M3 Mahfujul Haque, from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, said he viewed it primarily as a learning experience.

“I want to see what kind of research medical students are doing around here and maybe get some inspiration for some of my own future research, too,” he said. 

M2 Malik Al-Jamal, from Wayne State University School of Medicine, also said he wanted to learn and network “with some of my fellow students from across the state.”

“It’s nice to see so many of us from different schools in one place sharing our love for orthopedics,” he said. “It’s nice.”

M3 Mitchell Yelton, from Michigan State University (and younger brother of OUWB alumnus Brent Yelton, M.D., OUWB ’23), shared similar thoughts.

“It’s nice to get together with a lot of like-minded, highly motivated people in a setting where we can meet physicians from a program that’s really reputable,” he said.

OUWB M2 Jacob Coleman said opportunities like the conference can be eye-opening.

“When you come to these kinds of conferences, and have opportunities to speak with doctors, you gain a better understanding of how collaborative medicine can be,” he said. “In a field that can feel super competitive at times, this is a fun, relaxed environment.”

The thoughts shared by attendees are exactly what organizers and participating physicians hope they take away.

“This is the kind of thing we live for,” said Bicos. “We teach residents and fellows and the medical students who are just as important.”

Guettler said he’s “very dedicated to this type of programming.” He is also involved in securing the right venue and bringing in sponsors. (Sponsors this year were Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy, Arthrex Inc., Stryker Corp., and MioTech Orthopedic Group.)

Guettler said it’s all about helping the medical students.

“I’m really proud of the medical students,” he said. “Their fervor for orthopaedics is very impressive…and we want to support that enthusiasm.”