19 Greenwich EMS students, accompanied by Operations Manager Eirinn Rickard, participated in the Orthopaedic Foundation’s Doctor for a Day Program in NYC. Under the supervision of nationally renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine Specialist, and Greenwich resident Dr. Kevin Plancher, these students learned how to bolt, pin together and insert supportive plates into broken forearms.
“The Orthopaedic Foundation is devoted to empowering our youth to be scientific investigators, laying the groundwork for a life-long love of learning and scientific exploration,” said Plancher, Chairman of the Foundation. “We hope to prepare our youth to be part of the next generation of scientists and medical professionals!”
In keeping with the young people’s abilities and the Foundation’s high standards for such labs, the Orthopaedic Foundations’ program educated the participants on current surgical techniques for repairing broken forearms. They used actual surgical drills, plates and screws to mend broken bones in realistic but synthetic forearms.
Students interact with leading orthopaedic surgeons and health care professionals who volunteer their time to supervise the lab. The students are able to design, create and test prototype devices to repair broken bones while learning about using pins, plates, rods and screws to repair fractures. The students are also able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a prototype medical device based on model testing.
“The Orthopaedic Foundation is proud to support this important educational outreach program,” said Janine Bahar, Executive Director of Orthopaedic Foundation. These types of programs lie at the heart of the Foundation’s core mission. The lab reflects the Orthopaedic Foundation’s dedication to education in orthopaedics and sports medicine and further supports our goal of providing young people with an understanding of surgical techniques and encouraging them to consider a career in medicine.”
Greenwich Emergency Medical Services is the sole provider of emergency services to the Town of Greenwich. Their mission is to provide pre-hospital medical care of the highest quality and in the most cost-effective manner to every Greenwich resident. The attendees participating in this lab are high school student volunteers with the GEMS program who work shifts on duty, participate with the career staff at call reviews, continuing medical education, and staff meetings.
