Our Interview with Liana J. Tedesco, MD, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center

Liana J. Tedesco, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Columbia University Medical Center.

What makes the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society valuable to women pursuing careers in orthopaedic surgery, and what role does the organization play in shaping the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons?

One of the things that makes RJOS so valuable is the sense of community it creates in a specialty where women have historically been underrepresented. Orthopaedic surgery is an incredibly rewarding field, but it can also be intimidating for some students, particularly if you don't see many people who look like you in positions you aspire to hold. RJOS helps bridge that gap by connecting women at every stage of their careers, from medical students to residents to established surgeons. It provides mentorship, professional development, and opportunities for leadership, but just as importantly, it creates a network of people who genuinely want to see one another succeed.

I think one of the most powerful things we can do for the next generation is make orthopaedic surgery feel like an attainable career path. Representation matters, but access to mentorship, sponsorship, and opportunity is what really moves the needle. RJOS plays an important role in all of those areas, helping to develop not only the next generation of female orthopaedic surgeons, but also the future leaders of our specialty.

How does the Society support medical students and aspiring orthopaedic surgeons as they explore the specialty, build mentorship relationships, and prepare for residency?

One of the biggest challenges for medical students interested in orthopaedics is simply figuring out where to start. Not every medical school has an orthopaedic department, so we hope that RJOS can serve to help these students as a jumping-off point.

Through mentorship opportunities, virtual and in-person educational programming, networking events, and exposure to practicing surgeons, students can learn what a career in orthopaedics actually looks like and begin building relationships early on.

Mentorship for medical students is particularly important as so much of the advice students need isn't in a textbook. It is about understanding how to get involved in research; how to make the most of clinical rotations; how to decide which programs are best suited for them in away rotations; and, ultimately how to approach the residency application process. You need people along all walks of the career path to help you to make a competitive and sometimes overwhelming process feel much more manageable.

For medical students who are interested in orthopaedic surgery but may not yet have extensive research, clinical, or specialty-specific experience, what are the most meaningful ways they can begin building their path toward the field?

My biggest piece of advice is to get involved early, but don't feel like you need to have everything figured out on day one. Orthopedics is competitive, so it is important to show your commitment. I would start by reaching out to your home institution's orthopaedic department, attending interest group events, and finding opportunities to shadow surgeons. If your school doesn't have a strong orthopaedic presence, organizations like RJOS can be especially helpful in connecting you with mentors outside your institution.

Research is valuable. Try to find a project that genuinely interests you, take ownership of your work, and develop relationships with people who can help you grow. Don't be afraid to reach out. Most of us remember what it was like to be in your position, and you'd be surprised how many surgeons are happy to help a motivated student. Sometimes students underestimate the importance of being a great medical student first, but strong clinical skills, a solid foundation in anatomy, professionalism, and the ability to work well on a team are still so important. Ultimately, we're looking for future colleagues.

From your perspective, how has the medical school-to-residency pipeline and particularly the path into orthopaedic surgery changed in recent years? What should students consider early in medical school to position themselves competitively?

Orthopaedic surgery has always been a competitive specialty, but I think the application process has become more nuanced in recent years. With the transition of USMLE Step 1 to pass/fail, there's been a shift in how programs evaluate applicants, with greater attention to clinical performance, research, letters of recommendation, and the relationships students build. In addition, the addition of signaling has, I think, done its job. It force medical students to be more selective during the residency application process and really think about where they will thrive. For students early in medical school, I would focus on three things: building a strong academic and clinical foundation, finding mentors who will genuinely invest in you, and getting enough early exposure to the specialty to understand why it's the right fit for you.

It's also important to be intentional about building relationships. Orthopaedics is a relatively small community, and the people who can speak to your work ethic, character, and ability to contribute to a team can make a difference. The strongest applicants are those who can demonstrate not only that they're academically capable, but that they understand the demands of the specialty, work well with others, and are genuinely excited about becoming orthopaedic surgeons.

Liana J. Tedesco, MD, was interviewed by Arush Chandna, the co-founder of Inspira Advantage, a medical school admissions consulting company.