The Gladden Society is Strengthening the Foundation for Careers in Orthopaedics
The J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society (JRGOS) continues to expand its Regional Pod Mentoring System, designed to strengthen mentorship by bringing together Gladden members and non-member orthopaedic surgeons—across both private and academic practices—alongside residents from training programs within the same region. These Gladden Regional Receptions are essential touchpoints that ensure mentorship remains a driving force behind the Society’s mission.
Miami was the site for the Gladden Regional Mentorship Reception, hosted by Emmanuel Menga, MD, Professor of Orthopaedics and Vice Chair for Education, Director, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program, Associate Director, Spine Surgery Fellowship Program at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. Jim Fleming, MD, Co-Chair of the Gladden Mentorship Committee, attended the event along with Susan E. Stephens, MD, JRGOS Immediate Past President.
Pictured: Jim Fleming MD, Susan Ellen Stephens MD, and Nicholas Cavil MD (PGY1)
JR Smith MD, a PGY-2 who is a Resident member of the JRGOS Board, highlighted the profound impact of the Gladden Society Regional Pod System and Regional Receptions on the orthopaedic community.
Why are the Gladden Regional Receptions and Mentorship Pods important?
A lack of mentorship—at any stage—can significantly affect an orthopaedic surgeon’s career trajectory, professional opportunities, and long-term success. The pathway to becoming an orthopaedic surgeon is not a straight pipeline, but a circle. Any “pipecircle” leakage at a single stage of this continuum contributes to resident attrition, surgeon burnout, and the loss of future leaders in the field.
The Gladden Regional Receptions and Mentorship Pods directly address this challenge by creating structured, regionally based opportunities for connection, guidance, and community-building—ensuring support is not incidental, but intentional and accessible.
Pictured: Nicholas Cavil MD (PGY1), Emmanuel Menga MD, Susan Ellen Stephens MD, Jim Fleming MD, Lasun Oladeji, MD, and Aziz Shittu, MD (Research Fellow)
How does the Gladden Regional Pod System address critical gaps in orthopaedic careers? The Gladden Regional Pod System is intentionally designed to intervene at the points where mentorship and support often fall short.
Through Gladden programs, orthopaedic surgeons gain improved access to mentorship, expanded academic opportunities, targeted professional development, and meaningful networking with peers and senior leaders. Most importantly, they gain the support of a strong, diverse community committed to equity and excellence.
Together, these elements help ensure that surgeons are not navigating their careers in isolation, but are connected to the resources, guidance, and relationships necessary for long-term success.
Andrea Roca MD (PGY1), Susan Ellen Stephens MD,
Jim Fleming, MD, Aziz Shittu MD (Research Fellow), Lori Chambers Larkin, MD (PGY5), and Lasun Oladeji, MD
Pictured: Jim Fleming MD, Roland Zama MD (PGY1), Emmanuel Menga, MD
The absence of mentorship in orthopaedics has real and lasting consequences for careers. Inadequate guidance and professional isolation can contribute directly to surgeon attrition and burnout, weakening the workforce at every stage.
When mentorship is limited or inconsistent, it hinders career development, slows advancement, and restricts access to leadership pathways—ultimately impacting both individual surgeons and the broader orthopaedic community.
Pictured above: Miami Regional Mentorship Reception at the table with Emmanuel Menga, MD, University of Miami, Director Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program, and Associate Director Spine Fellowship Program and Joseph Geller, MD (PGY5) and Administrative Chief Resident with Jim Fleming, MD, Co-Chair Gladden Mentorship Committee and guests.
The Gladden Society Regional Pod Receptions create networking opportunities and provide additional points of connection for orthopaedic surgeons and resident trainees, strengthening relationships and support across the training and career continuum.
