Orthopedic Medicine Externship Recap

By Kelli Ashbeck, director of surgical services and orthopedics, Premier Health

Premier Health and Premier Orthopedics hosted a weeklong orthopedic medicine externship in July for area high school students at Miami Valley Hospital and Miami Valley Hospital South. The externship not only introduces students to the medical field at an early age but also addresses the disparity in gender and race within orthopedics by encouraging female and minority students to explore the possibility of a career in the field. Currently, across the United States, orthopedic surgery has the lowest percentage of females and minorities of all medical and surgical subspecialties.

Understanding the need to increase diversity in the field inspired Michael Herbenick, MD, to start the Orthopedic Externship several years ago. With the support of his peers in Premier Orthopedics, the externship has grown year-over-year, with 550 applicants in 2024. The Premier Orthopedics team is unique and includes seven surgeons from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented, making them the perfect example for young students looking to explore their potential. Throughout the week, participants engaged in hands-on learning activities and skills labs, spent time in operating rooms, and shadowed providers.

The Orthopedic Externship is an excellent example of how we embody Premier Health’s mission, “We Care. We Teach. We Innovate. We Serve” and aligns with our academic strategy. Congratulations to all the students that participated and a sincere thank you to the providers who made it possible.

Back to the July 2024 issue of Premier Pulse