Awards

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT

The maximum value of the award is up to $2,200.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

• Closed.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Interested students should apply for the VESP travel award in addition to applying to the elective rotation. Notification of the VESP travel 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 travel award, 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 desired UC San Diego Department of Orthopaedic Surgery’s clinical elective program*
• Demonstrated leadership in addressing patient advocacy needs and/or patient health disparities

PREFERRED ELIGIBILITY

• First student in their family to attend college
• Recipient of the AAMC Financial Assistance Program or similar finance assistance program

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 ualarcon@health.ucsd.edu by the application deadline
• Personal statement (400 words or less) explaining your leadership and/or participation in addressing patient advocacy needs and health disparities, and how you plan to continue making an impact in the future

Candidates may be invited to interview with the VESP travel award committee via Zoom for final consideration. Notification of scholarship will be made after a rotation offer.

*Only completed applications with all supporting documents will be considered. Receipt of the VESP travel award is contingent on acceptance into the program. 

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT

The award is valued at $1,500.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

• Open
• Applications due: January 3, 2026

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 Orthopaedic Surgery
• Applied to an Orthopaedic 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 ualarcon@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 and pioneer in complex reconstructive spine surgery. He is beloved by his patients, colleagues, and trainees. Dr. Garfin earned his medical degree at the University of Minnesota, completed an Orthopaedic Surgery residency at UC San Diego School of Medicine, and finished 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 as interim dean of the UC San Diego School of Medicine from 2018-2024. He is currently the Associate Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives for Health Sciences.

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 among the first practitioners to implement and participate in the evolution of segmental pedicle screw fixation, and was a key 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 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.