December 2008 Issue

Master’s Program in Orthopaedics Takes Lab Findings to Bedside at MCG

Dr. Ethan Kellum, the first graduate of the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) School of Medicine’s master’s program in orthopaedics, talks about the human spine with Dr. Anthony Florschutz, who is in his second year of the program. The master’s program is one of three such programs in the country designed to strengthen research experience and enhance communication among basic scientists and clinicians.

“Clinicians frequently think of ideas basic scientists may not, and basic scientists come up with ideas there’s no way to effectively translate into a clinical setting without the input of a physician, so it’s synergistic,” says Dr. Norman B. Chutkan, chair of MCG’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

“They have to communicate and understand one another if they want to take discoveries from the lab to the bedside,” said Dr. Carlos M. Isales, endocrinologist and program coordinator. Visit MCG’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery website for more information about the program.