Do Education Grants Pay off for the MAOA?

Abstract

Background The Mid America Orthopaedic Association (MAOA) began awarding education grants for residents and those new in practice (NIP) to attend the annual meeting in 1999 and to medical students since 2019. The purpose of this study is to report on grant winners, their gender, current position and MAOA membership. Methods The list of MAOA grant winners and their current membership status was obtained from the MAOA. A review of social media sites (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), institutional and hospital websites were completed to determine current training or practice location for all award winners. Results 475 senior orthopaedic residents and 50 NIP physicians received a total of 538 MAOA grants. 84% NIP physicians stayed in the Mid-America territory representing 21 different practices. Of senior residents, 63.2% remained in MAOA region representing 63 practices. 38 medical students from 2019-2021 received a total of 44 grants from MAOA. 22 of 38 (57.9%) of medical student winners matched into orthopaedic residency. 18 of the 22 (81.8%) of medical students matched in MAOA territory while four students (18.2%) matched outside of the region. Of students that have not graduated, five of nine (55.6%) are still pursuing orthopaedics. 40% of NIP physicians, 22.3% of senior residents and 5.3% of medical student winners are current members of MAOA. Membership to the MAOA has been rising as the number of grants awarded increases. Females represented 10.5% of all MAOA grants winners (6% of NIP, 10.1% of senior residents, and 21.1% of medical student grants); however, there has been an increase in female grant winners since 1999. Conclusions 371 of 563 (65.9%) MAOA grant awardees continue to practice in MAOA states. The numbers of female grantees is increasing over time. Our data would indicate the continued value of MAOA education grants to students, residents, and new in practice orthopaedic surgeons. These grants serve to introduce trainees to MAOA, forge relationships with physicians in geographic proximity and allow for practice in scientific presentation. Though there is a trend in increasing membership, membership in the MAOA of grantees could be improved and a concerted drive to encourage membership and loyalty in the organization should be considered.