Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

ORTHO 710 – Adult Orthopaedics for Third-Year Students

Credits: 5 credits

Program director: Mark W. Mason, MD

When offered: All rotations

Prerequisites: Third-year core surgery clerkships

Length of course: 1 month

Description: The elective is offered to give students an in-depth experience in orthopaedics. During the one-month rotation, students will spend two weeks on each of two primary orthopaedic services. Selections include hip and knee joint arthroplasty, pediatric orthopaedics, sports medicine, spine, hand, foot and ankle, upper extremity or trauma. During the two weeks, the student will have the opportunity to participate in patient care in the clinic, operating room and inpatient services. Student responsibility is that of a junior house officer with appropriate supervision, and it is expected that students will round with their team and attend daily orthopaedic teaching conferences with the house staff.

ORTHO 711 – Pediatric Orthopaedics for Third-Year Students

Credits: 5 credits

Program director: Mark W. Mason, MD

When offered: All rotations

Prerequisites: Third-year core surgery clerkships

Length of course: One month

Description: This is a preceptorial elective with the pediatric orthopaedic service and offers a broad exposure to the entire spectrum of pediatric orthopaedics with outpatient clinics in general pediatric orthopaedics, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, muscular dystrophy and limb deficiency and limb length discrepancy. The student functions as a junior house officer under faculty supervision and is responsible to round with the team and attend daily orthopaedic conferences with the house staff. Students are encourage to tailor the elective to their specific interest – those interested in a surgical career will wish to gain more operating room exposure, and those seeking residencies in pediatrics or family medicine may wish to concentrate on the outpatient clinics.

ORTHO 730 – Adult Orthopaedic Acting Internship

Credits: 5 credits

Program director: Mark W. Mason, MD

When offered: All rotations

Length of course: One month

Description: The elective is offered to provide students an in-depth experience in orthopaedics. During the one-month rotation, students spend two weeks on each of two primary orthopaedic services. Selections include hip and knee joint arthroplasty, foot and ankle, hand and upper extremity, pediatric orthopaedics, sports medicine, spine or trauma. Students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of patient care, including the outpatient clinic, operating room and inpatient services. Student responsibility is that of a junior house officer with appropriate supervision, and it is expected that students will round with the team and attend daily orthopaedic teaching conferences with the house staff.

ORTHO 731 – Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Elective or Acting Internship

Credits: 5 credits

Program director: Mark W. Mason, MD

When offered: All rotations

Prerequisites: Third-year core clerkships

Length of course: One month

Description: This is a preceptorial elective with the pediatric orthopaedics service and offers a broad exposure to the entire spectrum of pediatric orthopaedics with outpatient clinics in general pediatric orthopaedics, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, muscular dystrophy and limb deficiency and limb length discrepancy. Students function as a junior house officer under faculty supervision and are responsible to round with the team and attend daily orthopaedic teaching conferences with the house staff. Students are encouraged to tailor the elective to their specific interests – those interested in a surgical career will wish to gain more operating room exposure, and those seeking residencies in pediatrics or family medicine may wish to concentrate on the outpatient clinics.

ORTHO 796 – Orthopaedic Individual Studies Elective

Credits: 5 credits

Program director: Mark W. Mason, MD

When offered: All rotations

Prerequisites: Limited to students enrolled in Penn State College of Medicine

Length of course: One month

Description: Creative projects, including non-thesis research, which fall outside the scope of formal courses. These projects are designed individually by the student and a supervising member of the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation faculty.

Orthopaedic Virtual Rotations are offered for fourth-year visiting medical students who are otherwise unable to attend in person. Virtual rotations include evening sessions online, case-based discussions and direct faculty interaction. These virtual rotations are non-credit. They are intended to give students the opportunity to learn more about orthopaedics and patient care, and to learn about our program, meet the faculty and enhance their applications for orthopedic residency. For more information, please contact Joelle Hoke at jhoke2@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.