A Sense of Purpose and Belonging
A clear sense of purpose and connection to a supportive community is essential for both professional development and personal well-being. The ORS community brings together clinicians, basic scientists, and members from academia and industry across a wide range of career stages and disciplines. This broad mix of expertise and experience strengthens the exchange of ideas and drives innovation in orthopaedic research.
Making ORS Welcoming to Everyone
While ORS has made significant strides in building a strong and dynamic research network, there remain gaps in representation at senior levels within the field. Our assumptions and perceptions—whether conscious or unconscious—can influence how we interact with others. These influences can include not only obvious forms of unfair treatment but also more subtle behaviors and judgments. Everyday slights or dismissive behaviors, even if unintended, can affect group dynamics. Recognizing and addressing these patterns within ourselves and the community can foster a more respectful and constructive professional environment.
Developing a Culture of Inclusion and Respect
Establishing a culture built on mutual respect is key to preventing negative cycles that may hinder personal and professional progress. Encouraging thoughtful communication and accommodating different working styles can contribute to a more effective and engaging environment. Such an atmosphere can also help reduce feelings of self-doubt, such as imposter syndrome—particularly among individuals who may not see themselves reflected in leadership or peer groups. In contexts where systemic issues or unbalanced dynamics are present, these feelings are often a rational response rather than a personal shortcoming.
Small actions by those in leadership or influential roles can significantly shape the expectations and standards of group behavior. Being proactive in addressing unprofessional conduct and reinforcing positive norms can strengthen the integrity of the community. Improving the clarity and accessibility of communications and events enhances collaboration and engagement. Taken together, these efforts support broader participation and help sustain a culture of respect and shared commitment within ORS.
The ORS Accessibility and Belonging Committee has assembled the following valuable resources.
Explore the content under each dropdown to learn more.
ORS Open Door
To address gender, racial, and ethnic disparities regarding representation within the field of orthopaedics, the Open Door Program was established by ORS in 2018 as a day long program held in conjunction with the ORS Annual Meeting. Open Door engages students and teachers in short career talks from different disciplines (e.g., engineers, biologists, and physicians), a discussion panel featuring ORS members from historically underserved backgrounds in STEM, and a series of hands-on workshops and demonstrations.
This program engages middle- and high-school students (i.e., Grades 6-12) from first-generation and underrepresented minorities (URM) backgrounds. The majority of attendees have identified as Hispanic or LatinX, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. In 2023, the ORS also launched the Early Career Outreach Travel Award (ECOTA) to recruit a similarly diverse cohort of Open Door trainee volunteers and ensure equitable access to participation, allowing student participants to meet and connect with scientists whose identity and lived experiences closely align with their own.
