All fourth-year medical students interested in orthopedic surgery are encouraged to rotate through our department to get an idea of how well you’ll be trained here, what we have to offer and get a taste for the culture at Brown. It is also a great way for our program to get to know you as well! Most students rotate through a four-week elective.

Alpert Medical School students can view and register for electives using OASIS. Visiting US Medical Students can view electives and apply for away rotations using the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities application service at the AAMC website. Visiting International Medical Students can email visiting-ams@Brown.edu.

If you have any difficulty arranging a rotation with our department, please contact Bernadette Sessa (bsessa@universityorthopedics.com). Please forward her (1) a letter of interest and (2) a brief letter of recommendation from any clinical faculty you have worked with as a third-year medical student.

Rotation Structure and Goals

Our general rotation allows for broad exposure to the program. Rotators will spend two weeks on either the hand service, foot and ankle service, spine service, or pediatric service, giving each student exposure to either our Chair Dr. Akelman, Program Director Dr. Hsu, Associate Program Director Dr. Kuris, or Vice Chair of Education Dr. Eberson, respectively.  Students will be able to request one of the following services for their remaining two weeks: orthopedic trauma, adult reconstruction, shoulder, and sports. Before you start, you’ll get a detailed schedule for these rotations during your time with us.

The goals for this rotation are:

1. Exposure to a variety of orthopedic conditions and procedures in the form of clinic encounters, didactics and operative experience
2. Mentoring and instruction from world-class, fellowship trained faculty
3. Connect you with our residents, who can not only teach you the basics of orthopedic surgery, but also serve as guides through the difficult application and interviewing process for residency.
4. If you are  interested, include you in any research projects that are ongoing within the department.

Letters of Recommendation

The AOA Council of Residency Directors has requested all programs use their new Standardized Letter of Recommendation (SLOR) form in lieu of the traditional letter of recommendation.  If you are looking for a letter of recommendation, our faculty members will be happy to complete the SLOR form and upload it to ERAS for you, but we will no longer be providing the traditional letter. 
Download SLOR form

Housing

There is on site housing available at the Gerry House, which is located on the RIH campus. Suites are divided into three bedrooms that share a bathroom. Housekeeping service is provided but there is no television in the room. Costs are $25 per night, $140 per week or $500 per month. Please call 401-444-2229 for more information about housing costs.

Many rotators have used websites like Rotating Room to secure housing during the clerkship.