Interns from 52 Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) --representing incoming orthopaedic interns – kicked off their orthopaedic learning journey at the Future Leaders Ortho Camp.  The hybrid educational experience combined didactic and hands-on learning to help with the transition from medical student to orthopaedic surgical resident.   Presented by DePuy Synthes and the Johnson & Johnson Institute, the Houston-based program was live-streamed to participating AMCs across the U.S. and Canada.

Clinical Skills and Professional Growth

Guided by the insights and experiences of a distinguished faculty, course topics included identifying and managing urgent patient conditions and appreciating critical physical examination details in addition to the finer details of professional development and growth to prepare for the rigors of surgical residency.  The Faculty provided guidance for enhancing career performance and tips for improving time management, resiliency, and well-being.

Hands-On Learning

Houston and the satellite site participants were able to engage in the hands-on learning sessions simultaneously using product and equipment provided by DePuy Synthes.   A Splinting Skills exercise encouraged participants to partner with each other and apply casting materials on the upper and lower extremities.  There was also a session focused on the principles of implant fixation for fractures that allowed interns to practice screw and plating and external fixation techniques, with an emphasis on the safe and effective use of DePuy Synthes products.

“Ortho Camp is our richest educational event for residents. It immerses them in a safe two-day learning environment alongside their peers.  The didactic content is adapted each year to focus on crucial patient related issues - making accurate diagnoses, interpreting x-rays, and anticipating common problems to mention a few,” said Milton “Chip” Routt, MD, Course Chairman and Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas McGovern Medical School. “There are other learning modules highlighting professionalism, fitting in, reliable learning techniques, and behaviors guaranteed to hurt. The didactic sessions are case based and interactive. The practical labs help the residents to hone their early skill development with splinting, fixation, and suturing.”

Commitment to Residency Education

Future Leaders Ortho Camp is a long-standing educational program administered in collaboration with AMCs in Houston under the leadership of Dr.Routt.  Since 2012, the Future Leaders Ortho Camp program has been conducted as an in-person event, hosting up to 18 academic medical centers from across the US. 2020 was the first year the program was held virtually due to the travel restrictions and social distancing requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic.  This year’s event is the first time the didactic and hands-on sessions were live-streamed, allowing residents from anywhere to engage in real time without the need to travel to Houston. 

“We are proud to partner with academic medical centers to support the educational needs of the future leaders who will advance the field of orthopaedic surgery and innovate patient care,” said Michelle Johnston, Manager for Academic Alliances.  “We want to express our tremendous gratitude to our faculty and sales consultants for delivering an engaging, interactive learning experience.”

Faculty Insights about the Ortho Camp Experience:

Raymond D. Wright, MD
Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Lexington, KY

“I am very pleased that the Ortho Camp experience has become an annual tradition for my residents.  The faculty deliver the content in a way that sets a high bar for knowledge, clinical performance, and professionalism for the participants.  Lessons learned at Ortho Camp not only get my residents started off on the right foot, but also serve them for their entire careers.  I consider myself lucky to be part of the faculty and I'm thankful my residents have the opportunity to participate.  

Timothy S. Achor, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Texas McGovern Medical School
Houston, TX

“There is no program like this in the world. Ortho Camp an opportunity for incoming residents to get much needed information.  Many of the topics are not covered in their medical school training, so this may be their first exposure to various complex issues.  This experience allows us to welcome our interns to the world of orthopaedic surgery in a very collegial and informative way!”

Elizabeth Davis, MD
Chief Resident, University of Texas McGovern Medical School
Houston, TX

“Ortho Camp is a nonpareil course in the education of an orthopedic surgery resident. It is one of the best courses I have ever been to as both an incoming intern and a teaching resident. I have seen it grow over the last 5 years, and it keeps getting better and better. It is my favorite course every year. It is comprehensive, concise, and effective. It not only prepares an incoming orthopedic resident for important clinical scenarios, but it also prepares them for their career and professional development. It was instrumental in my success as an orthopedic intern, and the lessons I continue to learn as an instructor continues to grow. Without good bones, you can't build a solid, lasting house. This course provides orthopedic residents the ability to strengthen their experience by building good 'bones" for their career and their academic and professional development. “

Kyle R. Woerner, MD
Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery
University of Texas McGovern Medical School
Houston, TX

"Ortho Camp is more valuable to the incoming residents than any other educational opportunity that they will get for years to come.  It prepares them not only to care for their patients, but also to care for themselves as they begin their careers."

Steven M. Cherney, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, AR

“I remark to Dr. Routt every year "I wish I had this opportunity when I was in their shoes.

I've had the good fortune of participating as faculty since fellowship and have now been able to see an entire residency complement (5 years) pass through OrthoCamp.  The OrthoCamp helps level the playing field in a way.  The structure and content helps ensure all of the learners have had at least some exposure to the stuff that matters most early on in residency.  How to take good care of patients.  How to address common urgent and emergent situations.  How to perform basic physical exam skills.  How to interact with others on the care teams in the hospital.  How to avoid common pitfalls. Some of these things have been taught to the learners, some have not.  It's critical to make sure that all of the rising PGY1 residents have had some exposure to make sure there aren't major missteps early on in training. 

More importantly, OrthoCamp helps re-focus the residents on "what matters".  There is no shortage of excitement surrounding the start of post-graduate orthopaedic training, but hospital onboarding almost always is spent focusing on things that are "required" but lack clinical and functional relevance for the new residents. OrthoCamp helps re-direct some of that nervous energy into learning orthopaedics and taking excellent care of patients instead of being otherwise lost.

Although the virtual format the past two years has been less ideal than in-person, the team at J&J and the faculty have been able to pivot effectively to maintain a high level of quality and efficiency to deliver a fantastic educational product."

Nathan B. Rogers, MD
Chief Resident
University of Texas McGovern Medical School
Houston, TX

"Ortho Camp is an invaluable introduction to orthopaedic surgery residency! Dr. Routt facilitates a fantastic course that educates incoming interns on how to manage the traumatic injuries they will be taking care of starting day one of residency. It is a concise, thorough, and well taught two-day experience that prepared me for the beginning of residency and patient care and continues to do so for new residents annually. Having come back and taught at the course, I am in awe of the growth that I have experienced through my five years of residency and honored to help share this information with incoming interns. This course serves as the foundation for orthopaedic trauma that residents across the country will continue to build upon throughout their careers." 

Samir Mehta, MD
Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

“Building the right expectations and foundation is critical for each year’s new group of orthopaedic learners. Ortho Camp is the first step for the next generation of orthopaedic residents.”

John Munz, MD
Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Texas McGovern Medical School
Houston, TX

“Ortho camp is the single best event to get incoming interns up to speed for day one of residency to minimize complications and help treat patients better.”

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