2026–2027 Henry Ford Health Orthopedic Value-Based Care Research Fellowship
Position: Clinical Research Assistant: Henry Ford Health Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Location: Henry Ford Health, Metro-Detroit, MI (Multi-Site)
Start Date: March 02, 2026 (until filled)
Duration: One year (flexibility for extension based on trainee goals/program needs)
Compensation: Full-time, hourly minimum compensation
Application Review: Rolling; position will remain open until filled.
Position Overview: The Value Innovations Research in Orthopaedics & Specialty Healthcare (VIROSH) group is recruiting two full-time Clinical Research Assistants. This role is structured as an academic medicine apprenticeship, providing exposure to orthopaedic research, mentorship, and the scholarly infrastructure of a large, integrated health system.
Principal Investigator
The role is grounded in mentorship from Charles S. Day, M.D., M.B.A., an orthopedic hand surgeon and System Medical Director for Value Specialty Care at Henry Ford Health. While centered in orthopaedic surgery, research assistants also gain exposure to value-based care andhealth services through research across multiple specialties, including neurosurgery, cardiovascular medicine, oncology, transplant surgery, and ophthalmology.
Responsibilities
Work directly with Dr. Day to support academic research operations, scholarly review, and structured mentorship within an academic orthopaedic environment• Manage a large medical student research program (approximately 30–40 students) across 25–40 concurrent projects in orthopaedics, outcomes of research, and value-based care• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and longitudinal support of medical student researchers• Lead regular research meetings, including biweekly lab meetings and Saturday morning meetups, and maintain project tracking through the group's shared drive• Contribute to manuscript and abstract development with the PI, including scholarly writing, revision, submission, and dissemination• Track and maintain records of scholarly output, including abstracts, publications, conference presentations, and updates to the PI's academic CV• Serve as the primary academic point of contact for medical student members, guiding project progression, expectations, and scholarly standards• Maintain oversight of project timelines, milestones, and requested deliverables• Support research operations, including IRB submissions and coordination with institutional partners (biostatistics, finance, and research administration)• Coordinate academic and observational access in collaboration with departmental leadership and clinical operations.
Educational & Observational Opportunities
This is a research-focused position and does not involve direct patient care. Research assistants may have opportunities to: Attend HFH orthopaedic residency, Grand Rounds, and Journal Club, engage with residents and faculty involved in scholarly work with Dr. Day, observe orthopaedic clinic or operating room procedures with Dr. Dayo, and collaborate with orthopaedic residents and fellows on research projects
Who Should Apply
This position is well-suited for a medical student pursuing a research year who:• Demonstrate interest in orthopaedic surgery, value-based care, and academic medicine.• Is interested in how academic research programs operate at the departmental and health system levels.• Is highly organized, proactive, and comfortable coordinating across multiple teams and stakeholders.• Seeks structured scholarly mentorship and academic development.• Is interested in how research is conducted, reviewed, coordinated, mentored, and sustained within an academic department.
Qualifications
Ability to work full-time, in person, with reliable transportation
Authorization to work in the United States (no VISA sponsorship)
Medical student at an LCME-accredited institution• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
USMLE Step 1 and/or Step 2 status, including scores or anticipated examination dates
How to Apply
Please submit application materials to valueinnovation@hfhs.org
Cover Letter describing research background, interest in orthopaedic surgery, value- based care, and academic medicine, anticipated start date, and position goals.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) with board scores/dates delineated.
Medical School Academic Transcript
Applicants will be contacted by current research assistants
