JRGOS is a proud supporter of the impactful work of Christen Russo, MD, and the nonprofit she founded, Distance Traveled.
Dr. Russo, a Gladden Member, serves as an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and the Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center. She is also the former president of the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS).
The Board of Directors for Distance Traveled includes JRGOS President Susan Ellen Stephens, MD, and Gladden Member Chima Nwankwo, MD, division head of Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia University.
Christen Russo, MD (center, black dress) with Distance Traveled participants and volunteers at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) Science Fair.
The Distance Traveled educational program is a pipeline initiative and a longitudinal research project emphasizing the importance of early musculoskeletal (MSK) education. The name ‘Distance Traveled’ represents the unique personal journey and cultural obstacles that each individual faces in working towards and achieving their goals. Recognizing the value of variable “distances traveled” to reach health equity for all that depend on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of Orthopaedics.
Christen Russo, MD lecturing students at a Distance Traveled workshop at the NewYork-Presbyterian / Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.
The program employs several approaches, including hands-on simulations, mock surgeries, live lectures, and Q&A with experts in the field. This is a longitudinal project, with five programs across multiple schools and districts in New York City, delivering mentorship and collecting data as the program progresses.
Orthopaedic surgery is one of the most competitive sub-specialties to match into, and several years of focused interest and experience in the field prior to residency is almost required to successfully pursue a career. It is therefore necessary to facilitate exposure of historically underrepresented groups at an earlier age, to level the playing field and give all those interested the same starting line.
Distance Traveled will have significant impact on the field by minimizing the disparities in exposure to careers in musculoskeletal care that exist in underrepresented minority populations, ultimately increasing diversity and inclusion to provide better care to the broad spectrum of patients who seek orthopaedic treatment.
Distance Traveled is possible thanks to support from JRGOS.
Use the link below to learn more about Distance Traveled.
