At OIBortho, we believe exceptional patient care begins with strong education, mentorship, and community engagement. One of the ways we live out this mission is through our physicians’ involvement in training and guiding future orthopaedic surgeons. A recent example is Dr. Brian Katt’s continued mentorship with the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) Orthopaedic Surgery Interest Group (OSIG).
The Rutgers RWJMS OSIG recently released its 2025 Year-in-Review Newsletter, highlighting a year of growth, hands-on learning, and meaningful collaboration between students, residents, and faculty mentors—including Dr. Katt.
A Year of Growth and Hands-On Learning
Over the past academic year, the Orthopaedic Surgery Interest Group hosted 34 educational and skills-based events, ranging from lectures and panels to immersive, hands-on workshops. These experiences were designed to expose medical students—at every stage of training—to the realities of orthopaedic surgery while building practical skills and professional confidence.
Workshops included suturing, applied anatomy, and splinting and casting labs, all led by orthopaedic attendings and residents. These sessions helped students bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world clinical practice, reinforcing the importance of technical skill, teamwork, and patient-centered care.
Nationally Recognized Summer Immersion Program
One of OSIG’s cornerstone initiatives is its Orthopaedic Surgery Summer Immersion Program, which continues to expand in both scope and national reach. Under the guidance of Dr. Brian Katt and Dr. Thomas McPartland, the program welcomed rising second-year medical students from Rutgers and institutions across the country.
Participants rotated through clinics and operating rooms across multiple orthopaedic subspecialties, including sports medicine, trauma, joint replacement, and pediatric orthopaedics. In addition to clinical exposure, students took part in resident-led lectures, journal clubs, and hands-on surgical skills sessions—an experience many credit with shaping their future career paths.
Personalized Mentorship That Makes a Difference
Beyond group events, Dr. Katt met individually with more than 30 medical students, offering personalized guidance on career development, research opportunities, and residency preparation. This one-on-one mentorship is a defining feature of OSIG’s success and reflects Dr. Katt’s commitment to developing thoughtful, well-prepared future surgeons.
These mentorship opportunities are instrumental in helping students understand the demands of orthopaedic surgery, navigate medical training, and grow with confidence.
Building a Strong, Inclusive Orthopaedic Community
The newsletter also highlights OSIG’s focus on inclusivity and collaboration, including events such as the Women in Orthopaedics Panel and partnerships with other student organizations. These initiatives foster open dialogue, support diversity within the field, and ensure that orthopaedic surgery remains accessible to students from all backgrounds.
Why This Matters to Our Patients
For patients, physician involvement in education and mentorship is more than an academic achievement—it’s a reflection of commitment to excellence. Teaching, mentoring, and staying actively engaged with academic medicine helps ensure that today’s orthopaedic surgeons remain leaders in evidence-based care, innovation, and compassionate treatment.
At OIBortho, we are proud of Dr. Brian Katt’s continued dedication to education and mentorship, and we commend the Rutgers RWJMS Orthopaedic Surgery Interest Group for an outstanding year of growth and achievement.