It is our mission to provide you with the best possible externship experience.  Our goal of excellence in education makes it our responsibility to inspire the next generation. 

The externship program has been designed to offer you, the learner:

• Exposure to a broad cross-section of the orthopaedic domains through in patient, out patient, tutorial, and didactic experiences
• A structured, but customized learning experience
  
  All externs are given a personal, one-on-one experience
  
  Visiting students generally participate in a two-week rotation on the Hand and Upper Extremity Service with Dr. Martin Boyer, Director of Medical Student Education and Chief of the Hand Service, and two weeks on the Sports Medicine Service with Dr. Rick Wright, Residency Program Director and team physician for the St. Louis Blues and Rams.
  
• In-depth instruction to develop competency and mastery of musculoskeletal examination techniques and skills
• Intense exposure to the in and out patient treatment of the traumatic orthopaedic patient through participation in clinical, operative and call activities at the Level I Trauma Center
• Direct instruction and mentoring from faculty members fellowship-trained in their respective orthopaedic subspecialties
• Ample opportunities to participate in new and ongoing research initiatives within the department
• Flexible scheduling of rotations
  Rotations are designed around the schedules and academic calendars of the applicants

Rotations*
The externship rotation is designed for medical students in their final year of study.

To maximize the learning experience for all students, only one student is placed on any given rotation.

Externs generally spend:

• 2 weeks on the Hand & Upper Extremity Service with Dr. Martin Boyer, Faculty Coordinator of Medical Student Rotations and Chief of the Hand & Upper Extremity Service
• 2 weeks on the Sports Medicine Service with Dr. Rick Wright, Head Team Physician for the St. Louis Blues and Assistant Team Physician for the St. Louis Rams

*Two weeks on another clinical rotation may also be selected.

Complimentary Housing is provided by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery for students from outside the St. Louis metro area.  Please note that due to the limited space available, complimentary housing is for students only on a first come, first serve basis, and final acceptance into the externship program.  Complimentary housing is available at Metrolofts. This is a new, urban living community located in the Central West End and adjacent to the medical center campus.  Interested parties are encouraged to submit application materials early.

Responsibilities
Medical students on Orthopaedic Surgery Rotations will be responsible for the following:

• Participation in Clinic and OR Hours
• The demonstration of basic knowledge of patient care during clinic
• Conference attendance
• Attendance and participation in tutorials
• Participation in call
• Patient Workups
• Maturity and Professionalism

The Resident Mentor
Students are assigned a resident mentor on each service on which they rotate. Your resident mentors have been chosen to serve as your guides during your rotations. They are the individuals with whom you will spend the greatest majority of time during the rotation. A formal session between you and your resident mentor should be held near the end of the second week of each rotation. This session should provide you with constructive feedback regarding your progress, strengths and areas requiring improvement. It is also an opportunity for you to provide valuable feedback to the mentor regarding your educational experience on the rotation.

As an extern you will participate in all rounds and educational activities of the service while you are on the service. Externs are also invited to attend the seminars on physical examination seminars given by Drs. Boyer, Gordon, Matava or casting specialists which are given as part of our students' Year III curriculum.



St. Louis Living
Eclectic restaurants, affordable living, a world class symphony, great local and national entertainment acts, an active loft district with nightlife and shops, and of course our much-loved sports teams make this city an attractive choice for young professionals. The Washington University Medical Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital are adjacent to Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation. Along with an affordable public golf course and extensive running, biking and walking trails, Forest Park features many activities available to the public for little to no cost such as the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the Missouri History Museum. The park is also home to the St. Louis Municipal Theater, or MUNY, which brings national musical theater acts to the outdoor stage during the spring and summer months.