The Harvard Orthopedic Trauma Service is a busy pan-campus orthopaedic trauma service with sites at four Harvard-affiliated Level I Trauma Centers: Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Boston Children's Hospital. We are actively recruiting undergraduates and medical students to work with our clinical research team. The main aim of the internship is to provide interns with a basic understanding about clinical research, primarily through providing practical experience. The secondary aim is to provide opportunities for interns to shadow in the clinical environments in order to see what life is like in the hospital setting.
Our clinical research work primarily involves the study of patients who experience orthopaedic injuries and the treatments that help these patients heal from their injuries. As part of this work you will conduct literature searches, interact with research subjects, and collect and/or analyze data. You may provide specific research-related expertise to us depending on your background and interests, or be asked to write up a case report based on a specific finding in the clinical setting. At some point during the summer it is possible that you may become involved with projects not specifically related to clinical research that are of pertinent interest to our clinical team at the time – i.e. quality assurance projects. You will work with all members of our team - including senior and junior orthopaedic faculty, residents, nurses, and research personnel – along with our colleagues from disciplines outside of Orthopedic Surgery.
A key part of the internship is the experiences our interns have in the hospital environment that show them what it is like to work in a hospital and what it can be like to take care of patients. You will be welcomed and encouraged to observe our team in all of the clinical areas in which we work: the operating room; the emergency room; the outpatient clinic; and the inpatient units. You are welcome to attend any conferences or educational forums that are open to residents, attendings, and hospital staff.
We are looking for candidates who are curious, flexible, and have the ability to think on their feet. We value candidates who have strong interpersonal skills and like to be part of a team. Candidates should be literate in Microsoft Word and Excel. Prior coursework in statistics and computer science is a plus. Past experience with clinical research is helpful but not required.
The internship program runs from May 29 through August 30, 2024. We ask you to make a commitment of at least 10 weeks and that you work a minimum of 30 hours per each week of work. This is truly an “it is what you make of it” kind of internship, so you are encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunities we provide.
The internship is unpaid with no stipend for accommodations.
All current full-time freshman, sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply, provided that they:
All current full-time first-, second-, and third-year medical students are eligible to apply, provided that they:
It is expected that you will fully dedicate your time in this internship to our research and observation. You should not be looking to undertake courses or clinical rotations simultaneously with this research internship.
Interns will work with the Orthopedic Trauma faculty across two of the Harvard institutions: Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Please see the hospitals’ websites for more information about our faculty.
If you are interested in applying for our internship, please complete the online application form and submit supporting documents. The supporting documents include:
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Devon Brameier at HarvardOrthoTrauma@partners.org.
Applications will open December 1, 2023, and will be due by Friday, February 9, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.
Who is eligible to apply?
All current full-time freshman, sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply provided that they:
AND
All current full-time first-, second-, and third-year medical students are eligible to apply, provided that they:
I am a current Senior. Am I eligible to apply?
No, if you will be a recent graduate and out of school by the time of the internship, you are not eligible to apply.
My school year overlaps with the program dates. Am I eligible for the program?
Yes, you are eligible to apply. Please note this in your application. If successful in your application, we will discuss appropriate start and end dates.
Are students pursuing a degree other than a 4-year bachelor degree or medical degree eligible to apply?
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled full time in a 4-year bachelor’s degree program or medical school. Students working towards Associates degrees or other graduate degrees are not eligible. If you are uncertain about your eligibility please contact us at HarvardOrthoTrauma@partners.org before applying. Ineligible applications will not be reviewed.
How many recommendations do I need? How are they submitted?
Each applicant must provide two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a professor or academic advisor. The second can come from a previous manager or supervisor in a professional or clinical setting. Recommendation letters must be uploaded through the link sent to your letter writers. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted via email, fax, or any other method.
How will I know if my application is complete?
You will receive a confirmation email once both your letters have been submitted and your completed application has been received.
Devon Brameier, BMBCh
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-525-0413
For over a century, a leader in patient care, medical education and research, with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery.
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