AAOS International Surgical Skills Scholarship Program

Overview: The goal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons International Surgical Skills Scholarship program is to improve the quality and outcomes of orthopaedic care delivered in underserved communities worldwide. To achieve this goal, the AAOS International Committee awards scholarships to applicants who have demonstrated a desire and ability to positively impact their communities. To date, the program has enabled more than 35 orthopaedic surgeons from 27 countries to participate in hands-on cadaver skills courses and take part in surgical observerships at various centers in the United States.

The Program: The recipients of the scholarships attend their choice of any of the surgical skills workshops offered through the AAOS near Chicago, Illinois. The two day, hands- on, cadaver surgical skills workshops are taught by leading orthopedic surgeons in the United States. These courses offer a unique and in-depth balance of science and hands-on surgical skills practice. Following the course, the recipients have the opportunity to spend a minimum of two days as observers in a hospital in the United States. The intensive surgical skills course, combined with the practical clinical experiences found in a high volume surgical center in the United States, provides extensive exposure to the focus area selected by the scholarship recipient. The scholarship covers most costs, including air travel, lodging, food, course enrollment and a small stipend.

For more information please see the links below or contact us at aaos-international@aaos.org

• Eligibility/Candidate Selection Criteria
• Application Process/Application
• Post Program Assessment
• Program Sponsors
• Previous Recipients

Each year the scholarship program rotates to one of the four regions of the world (Based on Gross National Income per the World Bank’s data and statistics).

1. Asia and Pacific - selected for the 2010 program
2. Africa and the Middle East - selected for the 2011 program
3. Latin America and the Caribbean
4. Europe

The selection of the geographic region rotation is made by the AAOS International Committee.