CDU Medical Students Gain Insight into Orthopedic Surgery

Physician-and-students-in-classroom
Physician-and-students-in-classroom

A residency in orthopedic surgery, one of the most competitive specialties in medicine, can seem out of reach for aspiring physicians.

According to the National Institutes of Health, it also remains one of the least diverse fields, with women representing about 8% of the workforce and underrepresented minority groups accounting for 16%, while 73.67% of orthopedic surgeons identify as White.

To help students navigate the path to a successful career in the specialty, the Orthopedic Student Interest Group (OSIG) at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) hosted “Bridging the Gap,” a one-day training held in partnership with the Bridging the Gap chapter at the University of Missouri. The event brought together faculty, orthopedic surgeons, and medical students from across the Los Angeles area for hands-on learning, mentorship, and dialogue.

Participants engaged in bioskills workshops led by practicing surgeons and heard directly from faculty during an interactive panel discussion that explored key topics, including whether to pursue a research year, how to approach sub-internships and late rotations, and the unwritten curriculum that shapes a successful residency application.

“We started this program at the University of Missouri and were able to bring it here to Los Angeles at Charles R. Drew University, a historically Black graduate institution, which means a lot to me,” said Dr. Abdoulie Njai, Bridging the Gap founder. “Being able to see students who look like me, their passion, their drive, and how hungry they are to become orthopedic surgeons highlights why events like these are so important. Even for me, it fills my cup and shows me why I want to do this work every day.”

Physician-and-students-outdoors

OSIG at CDU was founded in 2023 by members of the inaugural class of the University’s four-year independent medical degree program to expand exposure to orthopedic surgery and support students interested in pursuing the specialty.

“Changing the culture of orthopedic surgery begins with creating pathways for more diverse students to enter residency programs, receive mentorship, and successfully complete training,” said Darrin Ward, a founding member and third-year medical student. “OSIG is committed to contributing to that change by building community, opportunity, and preparation for the next generation of orthopedic surgeons.”