About Ortho Highway

Ortho Highway is an immersive educational program held during the Current Concepts in Joint Replacement (CCJR®) meetings, designed specifically for high school students.

This initiative introduces young learners to the world of orthopaedics, offering firsthand exposure to the field through engaging presentations, hands-on experiences, and interactions with leading professionals. The program aims to spark interest in orthopaedic careers and broaden awareness of pathways in medicine, surgery, engineering, and healthcare innovation.

Ortho Highway is designed and presented by REAL Mentorship Committee of The Hip Society and The Knee Society, with generous support from industry partners and private donors.

Students at the Zimmer Biomet booth learning about surgical tools

Dr. Lajam speaks with students

Student from Evans High School introducing her school to other program attendees

Practicing wound closure/suturing on bananas

“Ortho Highway 2025 was a rewarding and collaborative learning event for my students.  One cited it as their ‘favorite day ever’ after learning and getting to apply suturing skills!  In addition to the hands-on lab, students enjoyed getting to meet healthcare providers and see a real surgical conference including demonstrations of medical technology.  They returned to school excited for their future career paths!”
— Boone HS Faculty
“Ortho Highway 2025 was an amazing opportunity for my students that allowed them to collaborate and witness first-hand opportunities in the medical field.  One student was excited to learn that they could work in the medical field without being a doctor, not realizing all the opportunities they had.  Another student stated that they loved seeing diversity and opportunity for them – witnessing and talking directly to both women and women of color in the field – inspires them to break glass ceilings and pursue their dreams. The suturing lab and opportunity to see how a medical conference expo works with hands on experience helped to demonstrate what the future might hold.”
— Evans HS Faculty

Drs. Chen and Nelson, REAL Mentorship Committee Co-Chairs

Round-table discussions

Learning about robotics in the operating room

Enjoying conference lunch just like other attendees

Questions about Ortho Highway?