Education

Education > Residents, Fellows & Medical Students > AF/AOFAS Foot & Ankle Arthritis Development Program


AF/AOFAS Foot & Ankle Arthritis Development Program

 

The Foot & Ankle Arthritis Development Program is a collaborative partnership between the AOFAS and the Arthritis Foundation (AF). The program provides valuable access to training and mentoring opportunities for medical students and residents interested in foot and ankle arthritis care and orthopaedic surgery.

The AF and AOFAS will select 4-6 medical students and/or residents each year to participate in the program. Selected participants will visit academic medical centers to tour facilities and labs, learn about advancements in ankle arthritis care, and meet physicians in the field.

 

Would your institution like to be a host site for a future AF/AOFAS Foot & Ankle Arthritis Development Program? Submit an application for consideration.


Congratulations to the 2026-27 Participants!

Lorena Fuentes-Rivera

Lorena Fuentes-Rivera, MD
University of New Mexico, New Mexico

Gabrielle Hartman

Gabrielle Hartman, MD
University at Buffalo Department of Orthopaedics, New York

Tori Kinamon

Tori Kinamon, MD, CAPT
Brooks Army Medical Center, Texas

Vibav Mouli

Vibav Mouli, MD, MS
Columbia University Medical Center, New York

Jonathan Stern, MD

Jonathan Stern, MD
St. Barnabas Hospital, New York

2026-27 Travel Dates

Part 1: September 15-26, 2026 (1.5 week trip)

  • Sept 15 (Tu): Travel to Seattle, Washington

  • Sept 16-19 (W-Sa): Attend AOFAS Annual Meeting & IFFAS Biennial Meeting

  • Sept 20 (Su): Travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Sept 21-25 (M-F): Observe at Twin Cities Orthopedics

  • Sept 26 (Sa): Travel home

Part 2: April 18-24, 2027 (1 week trip)

  • April 18 (Su): Travel to Denver, Colorado

  • April 19-23 (M-F): Observe at University of Colorado Anschutz

  • April 24 (Sa): Travel home


Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • 4th-year medical student through PGY3 orthopaedic resident in the United States

  • Ability to attend the entire program, including both travel blocks in September 2026 and April 2027

  • Travel reimbursement will be awarded to cover reasonable/moderate expenses, including hotels, flights/transport, and meals. Any expenses beyond the amount agreed upon at the start of the program will be the responsibility of the award recipient.

Past Participants

  • Rodrigo Encinas, MD, Orlando Health-Jewett Orthopaedic Institute, Florida

  • Gabriel Gonzalez Diaz, MS, Ponce Health Sciences University, Puerto Rico

  • Alexandra Krez, MD, Hofstra University/Northwell Health, New York

  • Ramiro Lopez, BS, Mayo Clinic, Florida

  • Sarah Lu, BA, California University of Science and Medicine, California

  • Alana O'Mara, MD, George Washington University, Washington DC

  • Elizabeth Rich, MD, CPT, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Maryland

Upcoming Events