54 local students complete “Medical Mentoring” program
September 12, 2017
Carolina Orthopaedics, based in Murrells Inlet, S.C., and providing comprehensive orthopaedic care to the Grand Strand community, has completed the second year of its Medical Mentoring Program. This unique summer program provided students with firsthand experience in the medical field, including professional mentoring opportunities, to offer guidance as they make decisions about their future careers. The 2017 program started June 5 and ran through August 22.
A graduation ceremony and celebration is scheduled for Tuesday September 19 from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. and will be held at Carolina Orthopaedics, 3545 Highway 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. Along with students and their families, confirmed attendees are State Senator Stephen Goldfinch, State Representative Lee Hewitt, Congressman Tom Rice’s office, SC Department of Commerce/Workforce Advisory, Myrtle Beach City Council, Georgetown County Council, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, Horry County School District administration and staff, Georgetown County School District administration and staff and area business leaders and physicians.
This eleven-week program was open to high-achieving rising juniors and seniors in the Horry County and Georgetown County School Districts who demonstrated an interest in the medical field. In the spring of 2017, students completed an application packet for consideration to participate in the program. The application process consisted of completing an on-line application (not unlike an employment application), writing an essay describing why they would like to participate, and obtaining two references. All application packets were reviewed by the student’s school health science teacher and the top 10 applications (based on a set rubric) from each school were sent to Carolina Orthopaedics for a second review and final selection.
In this second year of the program, a total of 54 students from 9 high schools participated. Horry County High Schools include: Academy for the Arts, Science and Technology (AAST), Academy for Technology and Academics (ATA), Myrtle Beach, Socastee and St. James. Georgetown County High Schools include: Andrews, Carvers Bay, Georgetown and Waccamaw.
The Medical Mentoring Program at Carolina Orthopaedics allows students to learn about careers in orthopaedic surgery, orthopaedic spine surgery, orthopaedic podiatry, sports medicine and general surgery, in addition to the roles of certified athletic trainer, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse (LPN), medical assistant, medical scribe, radiologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, surgical technician, anesthesiologist, and administration. Students were required to commit at least 16 hours of their time over the summer. Shadowing schedules were flexible and varied based on the student’s interests and summer work and activity schedules.
“We’re excited to have this successful program in its second year and to see the enthusiasm and excitement the students have for medicine. We aim to immerse them in the healing and caring ways of our practice and the numerous paths they may take to realize their own medical career dreams and aspirations,” commented Dr. Michael Bohan.
Students participated at both Carolina Orthopaedics’ locations: its flagship clinic in Murrells Inlet, which also houses the Carolina Coast Surgery Center, and its Myrtle Beach clinic, located at 185 Fresh Drive in Carolina Forest. ATI Physical Therapy, a partner in the program, and an affiliated firm for care of Carolina Orthopaedics’ patients, offered physical therapy shadowing to students at all five of their area locations.
Founded in 2004, Carolina Orthopaedics provides high quality, accessible and affordable orthopaedic services and care to the Grand Strand community. Top orthopaedic surgeons with a range of specialties provide diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation services, including orthopaedic pain management, sports medicine, reconstructive surgery, and total joint replacement. The team of doctors that make up Carolina Orthopaedics includes Dr. Michael Bohan for hip and knee; Dr. Edward Mikol for shoulder, knee, hip, and sports medicine; Dr. Christopher Crosby for foot and ankle; Dr. Stephen Parker for pain management; Dr. Brian Blair for shoulder, knee, hip, and sports medicine; Dr. Andrew Putman for hand, wrist and elbow; and Dr. Todd Cook for neck and spine.
“We’re part of this community, and we’re passionate about meeting your orthopedic needs” is the mantra of the practice. For more information, visit www.cosdocs.com.
Overview/Timeline for Carolina Orthopaedics Medical Mentoring Program:
November 2016 thru March 2017: Julie Dyer, Medical Mentoring Program Director for Carolina Orthopaedics, presented information on the program to administration, staff, and students in the Horry and Georgetown County School Districts. The deadline to apply for the program was the end of March.
Selection Process:
- Student visits Medical Mentoring page on Carolina Orthopaedics’ website cosdocs.com
- Student completes an application, writes a 250-500 word essay on why he or she would like to participate, and obtains two referrals (one professional and one personal)
- Student submits application, essay, and referrals to selected school staff
- School staff selects top-10 students for participation based on a scoring rubric that considers depth of character, GPA, Health Science related class completion, attendance history, and disciplinary history and sends those applications to Carolina Orthopaedics
- Carolina Orthopaedics reviews applications and selects 50 to 55 students for participation
- Selected students receive an acceptance letter from Carolina Orthopaedics
May 2017: Students and parents/guardians attend one of four mandatory Kick-Off meetings, for program overview and confidentiality, HIPAA and bloodborne pathogens training:
- Thursday, May 11, 2017, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. / Thursday, May 18, 2017, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 20, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. / Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
June thru August 2017: Students experience “hands-on” shadowing of medical professionals in a variety of medical careers at Carolina Orthopaedics, Carolina Coast Surgery Center and ATI Physical Therapy.
September 2017: A graduation ceremony and party will be held September 19, 2017, at Carolina Orthopaedics’ Murrells Inlet office. Students will be presented with a certificate of completion, a letter of recommendation and an overview of their participation which they can include in their college portfolio.
