Medical Student Clerkship

Fourth-year medical students from across the country are invited to join us at Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) for a clinical rotation to learn about our program, and life in Chicago, and gain exposure to orthopedic surgery. Each medical student will rotate on one of our orthopedic subspecialty services for four weeks. We offer clerkships on the following services: adult reconstruction, sports medicine, spine, hand, foot & ankle, tumor, pediatrics, and pelvic reconstruction

As part of the rotation, students will attend all resident conferences and spend time in both our operating rooms and clinics. Students will also assist our second-year residents on call at both RUMC and John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, a level 1 trauma center.

All visiting rotations will be in person and onsite. We are not offering virtual medical student clerkships.

Goals and objectives

By the end of the rotation, the student will be able to:

• Obtain a complete orthopaedic history
• Perform a directed orthopaedic physical examination
• Write H&Ps as well as Progress Notes
• Interpret and describe basic musculoskeletal imaging findings
• Concisely present patient findings during rounds, clinic, and/or intake conference
• Assist in bedside, emergency room, and operating room procedures
• Develop preliminary treatment plans to manage basic orthopedic conditions
• Participate as an integral junior member of the orthopaedic team
• Learn more about the Rush orthopedic residency program and life in Chicago

Tentative Available Rotations

Weekly and Conference Schedule

Application

To apply for our visiting student rotations, the below application is required and can be accessed by clicking below. The application is only available through this link, and not through VSAS.

Link to application: Medical Student Clerkship Application.

The application period for medical student clerkships in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center for Summer and Fall 2025 clerkships will open in February 2025. Applicants will be notified of their status on a first-come, first-serve basis after a holistic application review. If accepted by the Orthopaedic Surgery Clerkship Director, students are required to submit credentialing documentation to the Office of Clinical Curriculum of Rush Medical College through VSAS. All required VSAS documentation must be received in a timely manner as a condition of acceptance for the rotation. Detailed instructions for VSAS requirements will be provided after applicants have completed the above application and been accepted to a rotation.

Please note: To apply for a visiting student rotation, applicants MUST complete the application found at the link above. An application through the VSAS system is not required nor sufficient for consideration.

Contact Information

For more information about our medical student clerkship please contact our coordinator, Alejandra Ponce, BA at 312-972-0063.