Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,
As we move into the summer months, we look forward to the opportunities this season brings to stay active and healthy. We are excited to share highlights from the spring and a sneak peak at what’s ahead!
Foundation Updates: Medical Immersion Camps
Our 2025 Medical Immersion Summer Programs are fast approaching. We are excited to welcome a new group of students!
The High School Camp will be held June 29 to July 5, 2025, and the College Cohort will take place August 15 to 19, 2025.
Designed and led by the Orthopaedic Foundation, our intensive programs offer students an unmatched opportunity to explore the medical field through real, hands-on experience. Under the guidance of board certified physicians, students work with cadavers, learn surgical techniques, and perform procedures using the same equipment found in operating rooms. They are also introduced to areas such as biomedical engineering and medical device development, expanding their exposure to the broader healthcare landscape.
These camps reflect our mission to provide meaningful, practical learning opportunities and to inspire students who are serious about pursuing careers in medicine and related fields.
Learning By Doing: A Student Testimonial
Levi Vasquez participated in our very first Medical Immersion cohort in 2022 and has since remained an active part of our community, completing a clinical internship with us at our BioSkills Lab. Levi has discovered a true passion for public health and will be a college graduate this May.
Over the past semester, he has taken on an extraordinary academic load, completing three graduate-level courses toward his Master of Public Health while earning 21 college credits and maintaining an internship. He was recently accepted into Pace University’s MPH program for the fall and was nominated by his department chair for a prestigious fellowship with the National Hispanic Medical Association.
Our Foundation is proud to continue supporting Levi on his academic journey. We couldn’t be more inspired by his drive and dedication.
Levi Vasquez with Dr. Cliff Voigt
Growing up in Venezuela and losing my father to liver cancer when I was very young, access to healthcare is very important to me. Coming back to the Foundation to participate in camp meetings the next two years and contribute to the cohorts made me feel connected to something bigger than myself and to a community, as did interning in the BioSkills lab last fall. All of these experiences, coupled with those I had growing up, have led me to pursue a master’s degree in public health at PACE University, which I hope will allow me to contribute to healthcare and making it more accessible.
Chris, Dr. Koch, and the Director, Janine, and all the doctors who came and shared their experiences and knowledge with the students are all very friendly and their attitude is always contagious and positive. If you are one of those people who learns best by doing, this is the right camp for you as all the doctors explain and are with you in the process which makes it a very dynamic and non-routine place. There is always something to do, there is always something new to learn and it will always be a place that will fill you with motivation to decide to enter the world of health.”
Nutrition Tips: Benefits of Magnesium
Magnesium plays a quiet but essential role in maintaining strong, healthy bones, something that becomes even more important as we age or recover from injury. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Nutrition highlights that higher magnesium intake is associated with improved bone mineral density in older adults. These findings support a growing body of evidence showing that magnesium helps regulate calcium levels and supports bone structure and resilience.
For those leading active lifestyles, magnesium can also aid in muscle recovery and reduce inflammation, helping you stay moving throughout the season. Yet despite its benefits, many people fall short of their daily magnesium needs, especially during the summer months when hydration and nutrient absorption can fluctuate.
Adding magnesium rich foods like leafy greens, seeds, legumes, and whole grains to your diet is a simple way to support bone strength from the inside out. Whether you are training, traveling, or just staying active outdoors, it is a smart nutrient to prioritize this summer.
Reference: Zhao, B., et al. (2021). Impact of magnesium on bone health in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition, 91–92, 111362.
Courtesy of Dr. Viv
Mag-Rich Chia Overnight Oats
Ingredients
1 cup organic rolled oats
2 tbsp chia seeds
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp cinnamon
1½ cup organic soy milk (or plant milk of choice)
1/3 ripe banana, mashed
Instructions
1. In a small container or jar, mix rolled oats, chia seeds, protein powder (if using), and cinnamon.
2. Then add the soy milk, mashed banana, vanilla.
3. Mix everything until well combined. Cover with lid and place in the fridge overnight.
4. In the morning, add hot water or milk to loosen the mixture.
5. Top with almond butter and any seasonal fresh fruits, enjoy!
Joints That Pop: Trigger Finger
Finger joints that stick or lock, accompanied by a pop or clicking sound, are clues to this common conditions, which happens when the tendon that allows a digit to bend gets stuck and can’t glide smoothly in its sheath. The condition, which often occurs in the middle and ring fingers, can be quite painful, says Dr. Kaplan.
“Trigger finger usually happens in people who have underlying osteoarthritis due to some overgrowth of the bone irritating the tendon,” he explains.
What To Do: Rest, splints, gentle stretching and NSAIDs are helpful in quelling the pain. If these don’t work, your doctor may recommend a steroid injection. Surgery to release the tendon is a last resort.
Research Corner
Exploring Mental Health and Hormonal Impact in Orthopaedic Recovery
At the Orthopaedic Foundation, our commitment to cutting-edge, clinically relevant research is driven by the curiosity and dedication of our fellows, Dr. Rachel Brandl and Dr. Patrick Tate. We are proud to highlight their impactful research endeavors over the last year that are expanding our understanding of patient outcomes beyond the operating room.
New-Onset Depression Following ACL Reconstruction
Dr. Brandl explored the incidence of new-onset depression in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Preliminary findings suggest that more than 6% of all patients and more than 8% of females develop new-onset depression within two years ACL reconstruction. Medical comorbidities and postoperative complications may increase this risk. These insights could pave the way for integrating psychological screening and support into orthopaedic recovery protocols.
Stephanie Petterson, PhD
Another promising research effort led by Dr. Tate explored how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may impact postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. Preliminary data suggest that HRT within six months of shoulder arthroplasty does not increase the risk of medical complications. This work suggests that HRT is safe in older adults seeking shoulder replacement and does not place patients at a greater risk of medical complications.
These fellow-led research projects reflect our broader mission: to advance orthopaedic care through a multidisciplinary approach that addresses not just physical recovery, but whole-person health.
We hope you enjoyed this Newsletter, and we thank you for your continued generous support. Stay active and healthy!
Best wishes,
Janine Bahar
Executive Director
jbahar@ofals.org
(203) 869-2002