With the support of the RJOS Medical Student Award, I was able to attend both the 2026 RJOS Annual Meeting and the AAOS Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. This opportunity allowed me to present my research at AAOS, engage in meaningful discussions with leaders in orthopaedic surgery, and share ideas with peers from across the country—experiences that would not have been possible without RJOS's generous support. I also had the privilege of meeting exceptional mentors whose guidance has continued beyond the conference and has been invaluable to my professional development. The experience reinforced my passion for academic orthopaedics and highlighted the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and supporting the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons.

I was able to travel to the national annual conference for RJOS in New Orleans this past year and give a podium presentation of my research. This was an incredible opportunity that not only allowed me to present my research but also enabled me to network with other students and faculty, even forming a close bond with another woman medical student in my area and gaining a new mentor at my home program. It was truly inspiring to attend this conference and be part of the conversation between the women leaders of the field of orthopaedics. The ability to gain their perspectives and be in that room that day helped me gain confidence in what I want to pursue as a future orthopaedic surgeon.

This funding was awarded to continue to support research examining the rates and impact of intimate partner violence and barriers to care in our Level 1 orthopedic trauma clinic, including pairing interested patients with resources that may be relevant to their individual needs. As a result of this funding I was able to travel to a conference to represent this work on the podium, and also have been able to continue to support the administrative cost of continuing to recruit patients in our clinic for enrollment, including printing costs for survey/resource lists, and support for statistical services for subanalysis to guide future research focuses.

The support from this scholarship allowed me to attend the AAOS/RJOS conference last year, an experience that had a significant impact on my professional development. Attending the conference enabled me to continue exploring my interest in orthopedic surgery by connecting with peers, residents, faculty, and mentors from across the country. Through these interactions, I built meaningful relationships that have led to mentorship and opened the door to future research opportunities.
Beyond networking, the conference helped me find a community within orthopedics. As a medical student still exploring the field, being surrounded by individuals who shared similar interests and experiences reinforced my passion for the specialty and gave me a greater sense of belonging. The scholarship made it possible for me to access educational sessions, learn about the latest advances in orthopedic surgery, and gain valuable insight into career pathways that continue to shape my goals.

This scholarship covered my travel expenses entirely, making it possible for me to attend my first large national orthopaedic meeting. Having the opportunity to be there was incredibly valuable. I connected with medical students from across the country, expanded my network of women pursuing orthopaedics, and had meaningful conversations with residents and faculty that gave me new perspectives on training and career development.
One of the most motivating parts of the meeting was seeing just how many talented women are pursuing orthopaedic surgery. Connecting with them reinforced that the field is continuing to evolve, and it was exciting to be part of a community helping shape that future. It was also rewarding to represent my institution alongside the faculty, residents, and fellow medical students who attended. The relationships I built and the encouragement I received have continued well beyond the meeting itself, and I am excited to return in the future."

This scholarship was such an amazing opportunity and gave me the privilege to be able to sit in a room full of women who are giants in the field of orthopaedic surgery. I was able to meet other medical students as well as orthopaedic surgeons from all over the country and internationally. Through these conversations, I felt so encouraged and in awe of this field and all that these women have overcome. The speeches were extremely empowering and have influenced the way I think about resilience and navigating medicine. The female orthopaedic surgeons were truly inspiring people. The scholarship helped cover costs to attend the RJOS Meeting that I otherwise would not have been able to attend.

Thanks to RJOS and Zimmer Biomet, I had the honor to present my work on total joint arthroplasty costs and reimbursements at this year’s annual meeting. This was my very first podium presentation, and the opportunity highlights one of the central reasons I joined Ruth Jackson: to grow my career and research skills! The experience of presenting my work surrounded by my female peers was incredibly fulfilling. This wonderful community of orthopedic legends has only reinvigorated my love for the field and excited me for what’s to come. Thank you to RJOS for having me, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s meeting!

Attending the RJOS Annual Meeting provided an incredible opportunity to connect with empowering women in the field. Prior to my involvement with RJOS, the absence of a home orthopaedics residency program made finding mentorship challenging. However, at the meeting, I gained valuable insight on preparing for away-rotations and residency applications by engaging with residents and attending physicians from programs across the country. The keynote speaker’s inspiration reinforced confidence in pursuing my goals, and the They for ShePanel sparked excitement about the direction orthopaedic surgery culture is heading. I am immensely grateful to RJOS for the scholarship and continued support in my journey.

With RJOS being my first-ever conference, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I had to attend. Walking into the meeting, I was immediately inspired by the number of women like me who were also interested in orthopedics, which was quite a change coming from a small medical school program.  Throughout the day filled with panels of speakers, I learned to hold my head high and be proud of my interests, while never letting the obstacles in my way ever get to my head because I am not on this journey alone. I am more than excited to continue down my path and can't wait to eventually work with all the wonderful people I met at RJOS this year! 

It was a wonderful experience to attend the Ruth Jackson and AAOS meetings. Coming from a school without an ortho residency program, I learned a great deal about the field and how to improve success in the match. I am humbled and honored to have received this awesome scholarship.

My time at the RJOS 2024 Annual Meeting was very rewarding - from celebrating the progress the organization has made in the past year, to hearing insightful words from our presenters and panelists, to simply being surrounded by spear-headers (many of them female!) in the field of orthopedics. Multiple educational opportunities were available including Research Day and interactive Q&As. While being in medical school can be arduous at times, it's events like these that continue to inspire me; the Annual Meeting served as a reminder of how bright the future of orthopedics is knowing it is led by such passionate individuals, both women and men. 

Attending the RJOS Annual Meeting was a fantastic experience. I was so inspired by the amazing women in the field and the high-quality research being done by fellow medical students that center around women in orthopaedics. The energy of the moderators, presenters, and speakers was unmatched.

Receiving the AAOS IDEA grant gave me the opportunity to meet in person with a group of incredible people dedicated to advancing equity in orthopaedics, an opportunity that I otherwise wouldn’t have had. Through the RJOS and AAOS annual meetings, I received excellent mentorship and connected with fellow medical students who encourage each other to constantly be striving to improve. I’m so inspired by the passion that everyone has for orthopaedics and I can’t wait to see everyone again next year!

Having the opportunity to attend the annual RJOS meeting allowed me to further connect with women in the field of orthopedics. I was able to further network with my peers and learn about the amazing research, projects, and advocacy that is happening in RJOS on the local and national levels. I am very appreciative of the scholarship that allowed me to have this experience.

I have viewed the RJOS community as my support system and home base since first coming to the meeting two years ago and being shocked by the feeling of being surrounded by a sea of women - how could something like this exist in ortho? Getting the opportunity to stand in front of this sea of women and present my work ABOUT women to them, thanks to the generous support of Zimmer Biomet, was the greatest gift and joy I could imagine. I was not nervous, I was uplifted and elated by the knowledge that everyone in that audience was rooting for me and waiting to create a space for me at their table.

It was truly inspiring to see a room filled with women in orthopaedics—future colleagues, mentors, and friends. RJOS has created something extraordinary—an environment of support, comfort, and resources for women in orthopaedics. Witnessing the powerhouse women on stage during the conference in San Francisco has fueled my inspiration to become one of them. I am deeply grateful for the scholarship from Zimmer Biomet and support from RJOS!

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have research that highlights issues important to women in orthopaedic surgery be recognized and supported by RJOS. To be in a room of colleagues and mentors who are working towards making the field of orthopaedic more equitable and a place where everyone has a seat at the table is an incredible experience and I am excited for all there is to come with RJOS!

Thank you to RJOS and Zimmer Biomet for your sponsorship to attend the RJOS Annual Meeting! This was my first time attending and I had an absolutely wonderful time meeting new people, seeing people face-to-face after many zoom calls, and reconnecting with old friends.  The RJOS Annual Meeting showed me what a strong network of women orthopaedic surgeons can accomplish when they come together and support one another in their endeavors.