Carolina Orthopaedics launches 2018 Medical Mentoring Program

Carolina Orthopaedics, based in Murrells Inlet, S.C., and providing comprehensive orthopaedic care to the Grand Strand community, has launched its 2018 Medical Mentoring Program to provide high school students with firsthand experience in the medical field, including professional mentoring opportunities, to offer guidance as they make decisions about their future careers.

In its third year, this twelve-week program is open to high-achieving rising seniors in the Horry County and Georgetown County School Districts who have demonstrated an interest in the medical field.  Students must complete an application packet for consideration to participate in the program.  The application process consists of completing an application (not unlike an employment application), writing an essay describing why they would like to participate, and obtaining two references.  All application packets are reviewed by the student’s school health science teacher and the top 5 applications (based on a set rubric) from each school are sent to Carolina Orthopaedics for review.  The packets are then reviewed a second time and a selection of 30 students are chosen to participate.

The 2018 program started June 6 and runs through August 21, with a completion ceremony scheduled for August 14, 2018.  Launched in 2016, the Medical Mentoring Program has graduated a total of 104 students from 9 area high schools.   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, general surgery and sports medicine, 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 who are accepted into the program are required to commit at least 16 hours of their time over the summer.  Shadowing schedules are flexible and vary based on a student’s medical career interests and summer work and activity schedules.

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 excited to have this successful program in its third 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 can participate at either of Carolina Orthopaedics’ locations: its flagship clinic in Murrells Inlet, which also houses the Carolina Coast Surgery Center, and its clinic location in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach.  ATI Physical Therapy, a partner in the program, and an affiliated firm for care of Carolina Orthopaedics’ patients, is offering physical therapy shadowing to students at three of its locations in Myrtle Beach.

Founded in 2004, Carolina Orthopaedics provides high quality orthopaedic services and care to the Grand Strand community. With a clinic in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach, in addition to the flagship facility in Murrells Inlet, which also houses Carolina Coast Surgery Center, Carolina Orthopaedics offers accessible, affordable orthopaedic care. 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. “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:

2018 Selection Process:

March and April 2018:

• Application packet was emailed to Horry County School District and Georgetown County School District, who distributed to their schools Health Science teachers
• Health Science teachers emailed packet to rising seniors in their Health Science program
• Student completed application, wrote a 250-500 word essay on why he or she would like to participate, and obtained two references (one professional and one personal).
• Students submitted completed application, essay, and references to school Health Science teacher. The deadline to apply for the program was the second week in April.
• School staff selected top-5 students per school for possible participation based on a scoring rubric that considers GPA, Health Science related class completion, attendance history, disciplinary history and depth of character. Those packets were sent to Carolina Orthopaedics
• Carolina Orthopaedics reviewed all applications and selected 30 students for participation
• Selected students received an acceptance letter from Carolina Orthopaedics

 

May 2018: Students and parents/guardians attended one of two mandatory Kick-Off meetings, held at the Murrells Inlet office, for program overview and training on confidentiality, HIPAA and bloodborne pathogens:

• Thursday, May 10, 2018, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 12, 2018, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

 

June 6 thru August 21, 2018: Students will experience “hands-on” shadowing of medical professionals in a variety of medical careers at Carolina Orthopaedics, Carolina Coast Surgery Center and ATI Physical Therapy.

 

August 14, 2018: A completion ceremony and party will be held 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.  VIP officials from the State of South Carolina, Horry County School District, Georgetown County School District, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce are expected to attend the ceremony.  Physicians and staff from Carolina Orthopaedics, Carolina Coast Surgery Center and ATI Physical Therapy will be present to meet parents.