Awards
We offer various awards and opportunities, such as an annual visiting clerkship scholarship intended for a student from a diverse background, a financial award for an outstanding graduating student and a travel scholarship to support a medical student or trainee in presenting a research abstract that they have helped author. Additionally, our Bone Academy initiative aims to educate and inspire students from underrepresented communities about the various career pathways available in orthopedic surgery.
Visiting Elective Scholarship Program
We welcome students from all diverse backgrounds to apply for away clerkships. In support of our mission to advance equity, inclusion and culture within our programs, we are proud to award a qualified fourth-year medical student who is underrepresented in medicine a scholarship through the Visiting Elective Scholarship Program (VESP) to help ease their transition into an away rotation.
The VESP award is expected to open in March 2025. Please check back closer to the application period for instructions on how to apply.
About the Visiting Elective Scholarship Program
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT
The maximum value of the award is up to $2,200.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
- Currently closed: Next award period expected to open in March 2025
GENERAL INFORMATION
Interested students should apply to the VESP in addition to applying to the elective rotation. Notification of the VESP award will be made in early April.
The award amount 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.
Important: Before applying to the VESP, each student must complete an application form through the Association of American Medical Colleges Visiting Student Learning Opportunity'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.
ELIGIBILITY
- Enrolled as a full-time, fourth-year medical student in good standing at an accredited United States medical school
- Applied to and accepted by applicant's desired UC San Diego Department of Orthopaedic Surgery’s clinical elective program
- Recognized as being from an underrepresented background in neuromusculoskeletal research as defined by National Institutes of Health (NIH)
APPLICATION PROCESS AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Application form
- Curriculum vitae or résumé
- Medical school transcript
- USMLE Step 1 pass verification
- One letter of recommendation submitted directly by the endorser to kjtawfik@health.ucsd.edu by the application deadline
- Personal statement (400 words or less)
Dr. Steven Robert Garfin Medical Student Excellence in Orthopaedic Surgery Award
The Dr. Steven Robert Garfin Medical Student Excellence in Orthopaedic Surgery Award is offered to an exceptional graduating medical student who intends to specialise in orthopedic surgery. The award will be presented at the UC San Diego School of Medicine awards ceremony during commencement.
The Dr. Steven Robert Garfin award is expected to open in November 2024. Please check back closer to the application period for instructions on how to apply.
About the Dr. Steven Robert Garfin Medical Student Excellence in Orthopaedic Surgery Award
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT
The award is valued at $1,500.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
- Currently Closed: Next award period expected to open in November 2024
ELIGIBILITY
- Enrolled as a fourth-year medical student at UC San Diego School of Medicine and part of the graduating class
- Completed a subinternship in orthopedic surgery
- Applied to an orthopedic surgery residency program
APPLICATION PROCESS AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Application form
- Curriculum vitae or résumé
- Proof of subinternship in orthopedic surgery
- Proof of application to a residency program in orthopedic surgery
- Personal statement (1,000 words or less) describing applicant’s training, commitment to service, notable accomplishments, and career goals
- Letter of recommendation submitted directly by the endorser to kjtawfik@health.ucsd.edu by the application deadline
Only completed applications with all supporting documents will be considered.
ABOUT DR. GARFIN
Dr. Garfin is an internationally renowned orthopedic spine surgeon who has been a pioneer in complex reconstructive spine surgery. He earned his medical degree at the University of Minnesota and completed an orthopedic 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, 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. Beloved by his patients, colleagues and trainees, he has imparted his exceptional surgical, teaching, and leadership acumen to his resident and fellow trainees, many of whom have risen to become pioneers and leaders in their own right.
Dr. Garfin’s innovative work has 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. 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. In 2013, Dr. Garfin received the Leon Wiltse Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for the Study of Lumbar Spine.
UNDERREPRESENTED IN MEDICINE (URiM) TRAINEE TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND THE ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING
The Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) Trainee Travel Scholarship recognizes outstanding trainees for their notable contributions to the field of neuromusculoskeletal diseases as evidenced by being the primary author of an abstract accepted for presentation at the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting.
The URIM scholarship is expected to open in November 2024. Please check back closer to the application period for instructions on how to apply.
About the URiM Trainee Travel Scholarship to Attend the ORS Annual Meeting
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT
The maximum value of the award is $2,000, covering approved travel expenses such as airfare and lodging per UC San Diego policy. The primary mentor or principal investigator is responsible for the conference registration fee.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
- Currently Closed: Next award period expected to open in November 2024
ELIGIBILITY
- 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
- Recognized as being from an underrepresented background in neuromusculoskeletal research as defined by National Institutes of Health
- Primary author of an abstract accepted for presentation at the 2025 ORS Annual Meeting
- Primary author of the work submitted to be considered for the award
APPLICATION PROCESS AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Application form
- Curriculum vitae or résumé
- Conference abstract with authors' names
- Personal statement between 1/2 page and 1 page in length, including:
- Details about their involvement in the project reported in the abstract
- Details about their past achievements and future career plans
- An explanation of how attending the meeting will impact their future career plans
Only completed applications with all supporting documents will be considered.
QUESTIONS
For further information about awards that the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery offers, please email Kim Tawfik at kjtawfik@health.ucsd.edu.
Opportunities
BONE ACADEMY
The mission of BONE Academy is to introduce students from underrepresented communities to different career pathways in orthopedic surgery, empowering them to imagine themselves as part of the health care team. Local high school students receive hands-on training from faculty, staff and trainees in simulated settings, including splinting, sawbones, ultrasound and suturing. Our outreach efforts highlight a range of career opportunities including certified orthopedic technician, administrator, surgeon, physician, financial analyst, research scientist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, athletic trainer, occupational therapist/physical therapist and more.
If you are interested in bringing BONE Academy to your school or desire more information, please email boneacademy@health.ucsd.edu.
