Award Opportunities
Visiting Elective Scholarship
About the Visiting Elective Scholarship Program
Scholarship Amount: Up to $2,200
VESP Orthopaedic Surgery Application: Closed
General Information
Intersted students should apply to the VESP at the same time they apply to the elective rotation. Notification of the VESP award will be made in conjunction with a rotation offer in orthopaedic surgery.
The award amount is up to $2,200 and will be made available to the scholar upon successful completion of the rotation. Accompanying receipts will be required, and funds expensed in accordance with UC Policy.
Eligibility
- Must be a full-time, fourth-year medical student in good standing at an accredited U.S. medical school. Students remain registered at their own schools while participating in the four-week elective at UC San Diego.
- Must have applied and been accepted to the desired UC San Diego Department of Orthopaedic Surgery’s clinical elective program through the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO) and completed the supplemental application form before the scholarship is processed.
- Identify as being from a disadvantaged background as defined by US Health and Human Services.
- Express interest in applying to an Orthopaedic Surgery residency program.
Application Timeline
- Application closed
Only completed VESP applications with all supporting documents will be considered.
Important: Before applying to the VESP, each student must complete an application form through the Association of American Medical Colleges Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO)'s Online Application and complete the supplemental application form specific to Orthopaedic Surgery. For more information, please visit the UC San Diego Visiting Student webpage.
Dr. Steven Robert Garfin Medical Student Excellence in Orthopaedic Surgery Award
The Dr. Steven Robert Garfin Medical Student Excellence in Orthopedic Surgery Award is offered to an exceptional graduating medical student who intends to specialize in Orthopaedic Surgery. The value of the award is $1,500 and will be presented at the UC San Diego School of Medicine awards ceremony during commencement.
The next application period for interested UC San Diego medical students who wish to apply will open November 1, 2023 and will close January 3, 2024.
About the Dr. Steven Robert Garfin Medical Student Excellence in Orthopaedic Surgery Award
Established in 2021, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is pleased to award the Dr. Steven Robert Garfin Medical Student Excellence in Orthopaedic Surgery Award.
Dr. Garfin is an internationally renowned Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon who has been a pioneer in complex reconstructive spine surgery. He is beloved by his patients, colleagues and trainees. He earned his medical degree at the University of Minnesota and completed an Orthopaedic Surgery residency at UC San Diego School of Medicine. He did a fellowship in adult spine disorders at the eminent Rothman Institute in Philadelphia. Dr. Garfin joined the faculty at UC San Diego in 1981 and served as chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery from 1997 to 2018, and is currently interim dean of the UC San Diego School of Medicine.
Dr. Garfin’s innovative work contributed to the development of current international standards, techniques, and instrumentation in the surgical care of the spine. He was one of the earliest to implement and participate in the evolution of segmental pedicle screw fixation and was the seminal pioneer of Kyphoplasty, a technique that has improved the lives of patients with osteoporotic spine compression fractures. In 2013, Dr. Garfin received the Leon Wiltse Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for the Study of Lumbar Spine. He has served as a leader locally, nationally, and internationally and has been president of the North American Spine Society, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, the Cervical Spine Research Society, and the San Diego Chapter of the Western Orthopedic Association. Dr. Garfin has disseminated his surgical, teaching and leadership acumen to his resident and fellow trainees, many of whom have become pioneers and leaders in their own right.
Eligibility
- Currently enrolled as a fourth-year medical student at UC San Diego School of Medicine and part of the graduating class
- Completed a sub-internship in orthopedic surgery
- Applied to an orthopedic surgery residency program
Application Process and Required Documents
- Application form
- CV or Resume
- Proof of sub-internship in Orthopaedic Surgery
- Proof of application to a residency program in Orthopaedic Surgery
- Personal Statement (1,000 words or less) describing applicant’s training, commitment to service, notable accomplishments, and career goals
- Letter of Recommendation (to be submitted directly to Kim Tawfik by the endorser by the deadline)
Only complete applications with all supporting documents will be considered. Please complete application packets by the deadline.
Application Timeline
- Opens: November 1, 2023
- Closes: January 3, 2024
URIM Trainee Travel Scholarship to Attend the Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting
Objective: To recognize outstanding trainees for significant work in the field of neuromusculoskeletal diseases as evidenced by being primary author on an abstract accepted for presentation at the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting.
Award Amount: Up to $2,000 for submitted/approved travel expenses such as airfare and lodging per UC San Diego policy. Primary mentor or principal investigator is responsible for the conference registration fee.
About the URiM Trainee Travel Scholarship to Attend the ORS Annual Meeting
Eligibility
- The applicant must be enrolled as an undergraduate/graduate student, or research resident/fellow trainee at UC San Diego under the supervision of research faculty in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
- The applicant must be recognized as underrepresented in neuromusculoskeletal research as defined by NIH Link.
- Applicant must be a primary author of an abstract accepted for presentation at the 2024 ORS Annual Meeting.
- Applicant must be a primary author of the work submitted in order to be considered for the award.
Application Process and Required Documents
- Application form
- CV or Resume
- Submit conference abstract with authors' names.
- Submit a 'Statement of Applicant' that is at least 1/2 page and no more than 1 page and must include:
- Details regarding their involvement in the project reported in the abstract.
- Details regarding their past achievements and future career plans.
- An explanation of how attending the meeting will impact their future career plan.
Only complete applications with all supporting documents will be considered.
Application Timeline
- Application closed
QUESTIONS
For further information, please contact Kim Tawfik.