UW Underrepresented in Orthopedic Surgery (URiOS) Scholarship

The University of Wisconsin Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation is proud to sponsor this scholarship opportunity for month-long sub-internships in orthopedic surgery.

The scholarship will be offered to two rising 4th-year medical students per year. Each scholarship recipient will receive $2500 to offset fees, transportation, lodging, and other costs incurred during their four-week rotation.

Scholarship recipients will benefit from the mentorship of a designated member of our scholarship committee as well as a close partnership with a single subspecialty team during their month at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UW-SMPH). Scholarship recipients are encouraged to seek further support and mentorship opportunities during the rotation and beyond.

The University of Wisconsin Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation is committed to fostering an open and inclusive environment for faculty, staff, medical students, and our patients. We recognize the immense value of the many different voices at the heart of a strong community. We hope you will consider joining us for a rotation this summer!

Applications now open

This scholarship is intended to support students who:

  • Have a high level of financial need; and/or
  • Are first generation college student (neither parent received a baccalaureate degree); and/or
  • Speak a language in addition to English; and/or
  • Are likely to contribute varied perspectives to the program because of their life experiences, including overcoming personal adversity or family hardship, records of extensive community service, or successful careers in other fields; and/or
  • Have experienced significant barriers to achieving higher education, such as experience in the foster care system, living in a single-parent household, having an incarcerated parent, or responsibilities for providing financial support or primary care for other household members; and/or
  • Grew up in one of the following areas: a) a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer or b) a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zip codes are included in the file); and/or
  • Had experiences of adversity, which could include discrimination, and/or
  • Special consideration will be given to those applicants whose prior work experience, area of study, community service, or other accomplishments is predictive of future service to populations that have health disparities.

Candidates must ALSO meet the following requirements:

  • Plan to apply for residency in Orthopedic Surgery
  • Enrolled in an LCME or AOA accredited medical school
  • U.S. Citizen, Canadian citizen, or permanent resident of the United States
  • In their final year of training at the time of rotation at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

To apply for the UW Underrepresented in Orthopedic Surgery (URiOS) Scholarship, complete this online application and include the following pdf documents with your application:

  • Curriculum vitae

  • Personal Statement (500 words or less)
    Please provide information you would like to share about your background, and tell us why you would like to do a sub-internship at UW-SMPH.

  • Supplemental Essay Question (500 words or less)
    Describe a challenge you faced where you were able to offer a unique perspective. Explain how this challenge affected your own experience and influenced the experiences of others involved. (500 words or less)

Note: Candidates must also apply as a visiting student at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. 

The Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation offers fourth-year electives in orthopedic surgery to visiting medical students during the months of July through October (Course # 936-939 – Adult Orthopedics for Future Ortho Clerkship).
Students find this a great opportunity to evaluate the program. These four-week rotations are approved and competitively arranged by the Department.

VISTING STUDENT APPLICATION DEADLINE:

March 15, 2025
Decisions are made on a rolling basis.

To apply as a visiting student, please submit the following documents to Heidi Ableidinger

  • Letter of Interest
  • Medical Student Transcripts
  • Current CV
  • USMLE 1 Score

Please review the UW SMPH Visiting Medical Student Clerkship Program page for specific University of Wisconsin policies regarding visiting students.

Each application will be reviewed by the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Scholarship Committee. Scholarships will be awarded based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including (but not limited to) the student’s demonstrated commitment to and/or interest in the following:

1) The principles of an inclusive culture,

2) Service and civic/community engagement,

3) Academic success, and

3) Rotating at UW-SMPH.

An annual review will be undertaken by the scholarship committee for the purpose of tracking the number of applications, recipients, and whether or not the program is satisfying its mission. Scholarships will be revised as needed.

Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Scholarship Committee
Brian Nickel, MD
Tamara Scerpella, MD
Andrea Spiker, MD

For more information, contact:


Heidi Ableidinger

Education Program Manager
ableidinger@ortho.wisc.edu