We've had a lot of interest in this topic from our website visitors so we thought we'd offer an update, below.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) can be easy to miss in primary care. Symptoms may initially look like common mechanical back pain, and research shows that patients can experience significant delays before receiving the right diagnosis. For nurse practitioners and other advanced practice providers, the goal isn’t to make a specialist diagnosis. It’s to recognize when persistent back pain may have an inflammatory cause, begin an appropriate initial evaluation, and know when to refer.  Danica, Rachel, Jaylene, Megan, and Ryan, with William online We’re delighted to welcome the 2026 cohort of Jackson Orthopedic Foundation’s Healthcare Immersion Program (HIP): Jaylene Banaag, Danica Bagayna, Megan Truong, and William Anderson.
 If you know a college student with an interest in healthcare, now is a good time to encourage them to apply for the 2026 Healthcare Immersion Program (HIP).
Our 2026 program runs from July 7 to July 31, and applications are now open. The deadline to apply is Monday, June 8, 2026.  Orthopalooza is back, and our next workshop is Saturday, April 25 in Lafayette, California.
Based on your feedback, we’ve redesigned our popular quarterly series into a streamlined hybrid format that fits real clinical schedules while still delivering the hands-on, high-impact learning you expect from Jackson Orthopedic Foundation. Instead of two full days away, you now complete:
 As 2025 draws to a close, all of us at Jackson Orthopedic Foundation want to thank you for being part of our community of learners, educators, and supporters. Together, we’ve made meaningful strides in advancing musculoskeletal (MSK) education and care, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
At JOF, our mission is simple but urgent: to close the MSK education gap so every clinician is equipped to diagnose, treat, and prevent the muscle, bone, and joint conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. By empowering healthcare professionals with better training, we’re helping patients move better, live well, and thrive.  At Jackson Orthopedic Foundation, we’re always listening to our students, and what we’re hearing is clear: flexibility, relevance, and real-world application matter more than ever.
That’s why we’ve made the forward-looking decision to pause our October Orthopalooza 2-day Spine workshop. We’re redesigning the entire Orthopalooza workshop experience based on your feedback, creating the next generation of in-person training that’s even more adaptable and impactful for today’s clinicians. Our updated workshops will return in January 2026.  We’re thrilled to welcome the 2025 cohort of Jackson Orthopedic Foundation’s Healthcare Immersion Program (HIP) – a diverse and driven group of students who are passionate about finding a professional path in healthcare.
During the four-week program, which began July 7, our students are shadowing clinical preceptors in a variety of clinical environments to learn first-hand about how healthcare providers in different settings contribute to musculoskeletal health in our communities. We’re excited to announce that two inspiring alumni of our Healthcare Immersion Program (HIP), Rachel Chen and Sheila Teker, will serve as this year’s program coordinators!
Both Rachel and Sheila bring deep curiosity, compassion, and leadership to their roles—and they know firsthand what it’s like to walk in the shoes of HIP students.  If you or a student you know is thinking about a career in healthcare, now is the time to take the next step. Jackson Orthopedic Foundation’s Healthcare Immersion Program (HIP) is accepting applications for our 2025 session, running from July 7 to August 1.
This four-week program is designed to give students real-world clinical experience by shadowing healthcare Bay Area professionals across multiple specialties. From surgery observation to direct patient care, HIP provides an inside look at what it means to work in healthcare.  Our 7th Annual Canes Gala is this Sunday, December 8! Here's our official press release, which includes mentions of our wonderful sponsors. Hope you can make it -- tickets are still available!
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AuthorsWe're the staff and volunteers at Jackson Orthopedic Foundation, committed to improving the lives of patients with musculoskeletal conditions through education, research and service. Archives
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