Susan Lindahl Memorial Scholarship

Name: Susan Lindahl Memorial Scholarship

Award Amount:

• Four scholarships of $5,000 each awarded annually.

Information and Eligibility:
The Susan Lindahl Memorial Scholarship was established in 1998 by the (PAOS) Foundation to honor the life and legacy of Susan Lindahl. Susan was the wife of PAOS founding president Joe Lindahl and played a vital behind-the-scenes role during the organization’s earliest and most challenging years. Her dedication and sacrifices helped PAOS take root and grow into a national professional association serving physician assistants in orthopaedic surgery.

This scholarship was created with a clear mission: to cultivate, support, and attract exceptional Physician Assistant students who demonstrate a genuine and sustained interest in pursuing a career in orthopaedics. Over time, the award has grown significantly, reflecting PAOS’s ongoing commitment to developing future leaders in orthopaedic medicine. What began as a single modest award has expanded into four substantial scholarships awarded each year, underscoring the Foundation’s long-term investment in student education and professional development.

The Susan Lindahl Memorial Scholarship is open to first- and second-year PA students enrolled in accredited PA programs who are actively involved in PAOS. Applicants are expected to show early dedication to orthopaedic practice through academic performance, clinical exposure, work experience, or professional involvement. Recipients are formally recognized during the PAOS Annual CME Conference, where awardees are honored in front of practicing orthopaedic PAs, surgeons, and educators. This recognition provides recipients with meaningful networking opportunities and early professional visibility within the orthopaedic PA community.

The PAOS Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations to the Susan Lindahl Memorial Scholarship Fund are tax-deductible. Scholarship funding is intended to support educational expenses and to encourage talented PA students to pursue orthopaedic careers that advance patient care, surgical excellence, and professional leadership within the specialty.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a current PA student enrolled in a CAAHEA/CAAHEP or ARC-PA approved program.
• Must be a student member of Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery (PAOS) in good standing.
• Must be a first- or second-year PA student.
• Must demonstrate a sincere interest in becoming a Physician Assistant in orthopaedic surgery.

Application Requirements:

• Completed online application submitted through the PAOS secure scholarship portal.
• One letter of reference from the PA Program Director.
• One additional reference letter from a professor or an orthopaedic surgeon or PA familiar with the applicant’s work.
• A cover letter (maximum one page, single-spaced) describing interest in orthopaedics, relevant education, work experience, and supporting activities.
• A current CV and cover sheet including name, email address, PA program, anticipated graduation date, and prior education.

Additional Selection Requirements:

• The top 10 candidates will submit a professional, publish-ready orthopaedic case study, review article, or clinical pearl (1,000–1,500 words with references).
• Final recipients are invited to attend the PAOS Annual Conference to present their work and network with PAOS leadership (expenses paid).
• If attendance is not possible, presentations may be delivered via poster or PowerPoint display.
• All submitted materials become the property of PAOS and may be used in future PAOS publications or media.

Deadline:

• Application portal opens January 15
• Application deadline: April 30

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