I'm an MS3/4, starting a research year in biomedical engineering. My current project uses immunology/neoantigens to develop osteosarc & CRC therapies using novel vectors in animal models.
Strongly considering ortho, - I love surgery and can't see myself without it. Love sports and management of joint/msk injuries, big into weightlifting & powerlifting for about 10 years now, enjoy working with athletes. I actually run my school gym, and coach people in weightlifting, as well as compete myself. As an aside, I came to medical school initially with the goal of doing spine work because those I cared about were profoundly affected. The thing is, the other half of me enjoys basic science (molecular mechanisms/virology/immunology), and I really came to find a passion in oncology. The thought that I could help improve one of the most heartbreaking ailments I've seen, by combining several things I'm interested in.
I'm torn between gen surg -> surg onc, or ortho. Leaning towards ortho, probably with the goal of eventually going into orthopedic oncology.
Stats: 100th% Step 1, 4H (H in surg). Didn't take Step 2 yet.
Questions:
1. Does my research year being focused in immunologic/neoantigen/biological cancer therapy in osteosarc & CRC - limit me in terms of competitiveness for good ortho residencies? Should I be pursuing stricter, clinical orthopedic research concurrently, or is my basic science research enough? Ideally, I'd have a 1st author paper and a 3rd author accepted by the time I apply, but it might be after I apply.
2. Is the goal of going into ortho, to eventually have a significant portion of my practice focus on ortho-onc, realistic? In that I can say: Ok I'd like my practice to be X% orthopedic onc, and X% general ortho/joint/msk? I have no idea if this is possible.
3. Any other things I should consider/do now if I'm strongly thinking of ortho vs. gen surg?
Thanks a bunch for your help. Ortho has always been on the table, but it's only been recently I've started to feel I'd like to go into it strongly.
Strongly considering ortho, - I love surgery and can't see myself without it. Love sports and management of joint/msk injuries, big into weightlifting & powerlifting for about 10 years now, enjoy working with athletes. I actually run my school gym, and coach people in weightlifting, as well as compete myself. As an aside, I came to medical school initially with the goal of doing spine work because those I cared about were profoundly affected. The thing is, the other half of me enjoys basic science (molecular mechanisms/virology/immunology), and I really came to find a passion in oncology. The thought that I could help improve one of the most heartbreaking ailments I've seen, by combining several things I'm interested in.
I'm torn between gen surg -> surg onc, or ortho. Leaning towards ortho, probably with the goal of eventually going into orthopedic oncology.
Stats: 100th% Step 1, 4H (H in surg). Didn't take Step 2 yet.
Questions:
1. Does my research year being focused in immunologic/neoantigen/biological cancer therapy in osteosarc & CRC - limit me in terms of competitiveness for good ortho residencies? Should I be pursuing stricter, clinical orthopedic research concurrently, or is my basic science research enough? Ideally, I'd have a 1st author paper and a 3rd author accepted by the time I apply, but it might be after I apply.
2. Is the goal of going into ortho, to eventually have a significant portion of my practice focus on ortho-onc, realistic? In that I can say: Ok I'd like my practice to be X% orthopedic onc, and X% general ortho/joint/msk? I have no idea if this is possible.
3. Any other things I should consider/do now if I'm strongly thinking of ortho vs. gen surg?
Thanks a bunch for your help. Ortho has always been on the table, but it's only been recently I've started to feel I'd like to go into it strongly.
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