Carolina Orthopaedics launches 2017 “Medical Mentoring” program
July 13, 2017
Unique summer program provides students an introduction to medical careers
Carolina Orthopaedics, based in Murrells Inlet, S.C., and providing comprehensive orthopaedic care to the Grand Strand community, has launched its 2017 Medical Mentoring Program to provide students with firsthand experience in the medical field, including professional mentoring opportunities, to offer guidance as they make decisions about their future careers.
This eleven-week program is open to high-achieving rising juniors and 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 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 are reviewed by the student’s school health science teacher and the top 10 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 50 to 55 students are chosen to participate.
The 2017 program started June 5 and runs through August 22, with a graduation ceremony scheduled for September. In this second year of the program, a total of 55 students from 9 high schools are participating. 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, sports medicine and related 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 who are accepted into the program are required to commit at least 15 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 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 can participate at either of Carolina Orthopaedics’ locations: its flagship clinic in Murrells Inlet, which also houses the Carolina Coast Surgery Center, and its newest 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 all four of their locations in Murrells Inlet and 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:
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 www.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, held at the Murrells Inlet office, for program overview and training on confidentiality, HIPAA and bloodborne pathogens:
- 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 in September 2017 (date/time to be determined), 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. Officials from the State of South Carolina, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce are expected to attend. Physicians and staff from Carolina Orthopaedics, Carolina Coast Surgery Center and ATI Physical Therapy will be present to meet parents.
