Plymouth Event Stresses Need for Orthopedic Surgeons

Every career choice begins somewhere.

But sometimes, it takes a little guidance to help kids figure out what they want to be when they grow up.

“I really do want to help people and I really want to make a difference in the world,” said Reese Woodward, a junior at Wayzata High School. “And I don’t want to have a career where I’m not making that much of a difference.”

“And most people, you get a job and you’re just sitting at a 9 to 5 all day, and I want to do something that’s more hands-on,” added Anna Almeida, a junior at Wayzata.

It doesn’t get more hands-on than using power tools to cut through bone.

Almeida and Woodward were part of a group of students from Wayzata’s certified nursing assistant class. Last Friday, they visited the WestHealth Surgery Center in Plymouth to learn about orthopedic surgery.

“A lot of bright minds are maybe choosing other fields besides medicine,” said Dr. Bishoy Gad, an orthopedic surgeon with Allina Health. “We wanted to introduce students to it early, so that they have an opportunity to learn and have a good experience with us so maybe they decide on choosing medicine as a field to pursue.”

According to Dr. Gad, only 800 orthopedic surgeons are trained nationally every year.

It’s not enough to keep pace with the volume of patients who need help.

“It’s a common theme in medicine. Patients’ problems go up, the number of providers is not matching up,” he said.

Dr. Bishoy Gad shows off a bone to Wayzata students Anna Almeida and Reese Woodward at WestHealth in Plymouth.

The goal of this career exploration event was to give students a taste of what the profession entails. With the guidance of six surgeons from Allina Health Orthopedics, the students participated in simulated procedures such as knee and shoulder replacements using power tools.

Think of it like carpentry, but for bones and joints.

“There’s a mental element and a physical element. I think that’s attractive to a many people,” said Dr. Gad.

Students have tons of options as they think about their next step in life. The hope is that this exposure helps inspire the next generation of orthopedic surgeons.

“Orthopedic surgery, I didn’t really think about it. But I do think it’s the coolest because it’s like, more hands-on,” said Almeida. “You’re more aggressive with the surgery. But I don’t know, after this [event] it was really cool. So, I’ll think about it.”

To become an orthopedic surgeon is a time commitment. It takes roughly 13 years of education and training to get a medical license in orthopedics.

Related: Wayzata High School Program Helps Train Future Nursing Assistants

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