Research Positions 2007-2008

I just thought it would be a good idea to start a thread regarding paid orthopaedic research positions for this coming year. What programs have official research fellowhips? Who to contact for more info?

This is not an official program associated with a school, but it is a paid clinical research position that I created, and my boss would like to continue. The fellow will work with Edward J McPherson in downtown Los Angeles. Dr. McPherson is the director of the L.A. Orthopedic Institute and specializes in joint replacement surgery. Many of the area surgeons (as well as some in other states) send him their complex revision and infected patients. He has a very busy practice in downtown LA as well as a satellite office in Ridgecrest, a rural town where he does general orthopedics.

I have had a challenging, but fruitful year since I began my fellowship last May. We have written five papers, four of which have been accepted for publication. I had no real prior research experience, but in this time I have learned how to write up a research proposal, get IRB approval, collect and analyze data, and write papers. We are working on seven more projects, some of which may still be incomplete by the time the next fellow begins. I also assisted with the revision of the adult reconstruction chapter in the Miller Review of Orthopaedics, and the preparation of numerous lectures and presentations. In addition to research duties, the fellow has the opportunity to take the OITE (under Dr. McPherson's name, and scored against fellows and attendings), observe in the OR, and see interesting cases in clinic. The fellow may also attend local area conferences (I was funded to go to meetings in Mammoth Lakes and Salt Lake City).


If you are interested in this position, or would like more information, please contact me via email at [url=mailto]portugal.denise@gmail.com[/url]. Obviously, if you match we understand you will no longer be interested.

Hey man,

My 2 cents regarding research spots is approach with caution. You can do everything this other guy did for McPherson and still end up empty handed. Look for positions that have a track record in accepting their research physicians into the program, not being a glorified secretary for a big name like McPherson. Remember, you are in a compromised situation when electing to do a year of research, but try not to become someone's whipping boy/girl. You are a physician and were trained as a physician and should be treated remotely like one from your colleagues. Instead these positions tend to scut you out like a co-ed undergrad student. I only say the above to help you avoid years of agony and pain that can potentially lead to nowhere. It is the loneliest feeling in the world when left empty handed with soooo much hard work and emotion is placed into one basket. Remember this is a very competitive specialty and the powers at be will feel no remorse stringing you along for years. They have no accountability to you whatsoever. Prior to taking any position investigate what kind of research infrastructure is available. You don't want to be the guinea pig. Ask in writing, what should your goals be. Often you can be thrown into a lab, asked to touch everything and turn it into gold. Clear and concise goals on paper will help direct you. See if the dean is aware of any "commitment" the program director is making to you. Ask if the endpoint to your research year concludes with a ortho spot or simply a certificate and a hand shake. Wish you well

I agree with a lot of what you said, and it is actually one of the main reasons I didn't take a position at my home program. There I would have spent my time doing chart review and data entry for free. Yes, one guy did research at my home program and ended up getting in the next year, but I didn't want to put all my hope into one program. I took a look at what was lacking from my application and decided a prelim year was not going to do anything for me. I applied to a couple of research positions associated with some good schools, but in the end I figured I would be better off sticking with someone I know (Dr. McPherson used to be at my home program and I had worked with him a lot). Of course, it helped my decision that the other places were far away. You will have to wait until March to find out if this year helped me get a spot, but even if it doesn't it has still been useful. I don't think any research position is going to guarantee you a spot, but if they do be sure to ask for the prematch agreement up front-or be prepared for them to go back on their word.

There are other options out there. Ths is one posted in the residency forums ... check it out ...

In the July 2006 - June 2007 Academic Year, we began offering a one year junior level orthopaedic trauma fellowship position. This position is outside our residency program and the fellow is an employee of the hospital. No residency training credit will accrue. It involves clinical activities similar in scope to that of a junior level orthopaedic resident on a trauma service and research opportunities similar to our research year residents. The experience is intended to significantly improve the CV of a prospective applicant for orthopaedic surgery residency training without utilizing GME PGY financial eligibility. We feel that this program has already proven successful in that our current fellow is now actively interviewing for an ACGME-accredited orthopaedic surgery residency position. Anyone interested in this type of position, you should contact me via the e-mail address listed below, including an updated CV, which includes your performance on all steps of the USMLE. If a recently completed ERAS application is available, this should be sent along, either via e-mail or Fax (314-268-5121).

Berton R. Moed, MD
Professor and Chairman
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
3635 Vista Avenue
7th Floor Desloge Towers
St. Louis, Missouri 63110
Phone: (314) 577-8850
Fax: (314) 268-5121
E-mail: [url=mailto]moedbr@aol.com[/url]