The Orthopaedic Surgery Interest Group (OSIG) at OHSU welcomes all students who have an interest in orthopaedic surgery or other musculoskeletal medicine.

As a student-led group, OSIG provides information, networking opportunities and workshops for students interested in exploring a career in orthopaedic surgery. OSIG offers events throughout the year to improve awareness of the scope of orthopaedic surgery, facilitate relationships between and among interested students and faculty, and provide guidance for those interested in building an application for orthopaedic residency.

Current Activities

Annual Research Trajectory Talk

At the beginning of each academic year, OSIG hosts a talk by faculty leader, Dr. Kenneth Gundle on the importance of research during medical school. This talk serves to educate students early in their medical education on what is required to be a competitive residency applicant, both in orthopaedics as well as other competitive specialties.

Monthly Research Meetings

Each month, OSIG meets with orthopaedics faculty and residents to discuss ongoing research projects, connect students with research mentors, workshop potential research ideas, and support students through all phases of research, from designing experiments to submitting manuscripts.

Sterile Technique Workshops

Throughout the year, OSIG hosts workshops in the South OR of OHSU hospital wherein students are taught proper sterile technique by OR staff. These events aim to prepare students for success in shadowing in the OR as well as for surgical rotations. In these workshops, students are taught the proper methods for scrubbing, gowning, and gloving, as well as general tips on being helpful in the OR as a medical student.

Download the Sterile Technique Workshop handout.

First-Assist Program

Through the OSIG First-Assist Program, selected medical students will fill the role of residents in the OR and work directly with an attending orthopaedic surgeon. The number of First-Assist events held throughout the year is variable, depending on the education schedule of Orthopaedics residents whose absence is filled by medical students through this program.

VirtuOHSU Surgical Simulation Labs

OSIG members have the opportunity to learn with residents and faculty during these surgical simulation labs. In small groups, students work with residents on cadaveric tissue to identify pertinent anatomy and work on surgical skills such as dissection, suturing, and knot tying. This all takes place after a short classroom learning session in which relevant anatomy and techniques are discussed. The didactic session is then applied in OHSU's VirtuOHSU Simulation Lab.