Medical education for the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons

Where the journey begins: Argo Registrar Program

Since 2004, the Argo Registrar Program has been a cornerstone of orthopaedic medical education, complementing the official Australian Orthopaedic Association and New Zealand Orthopaedic Association Registrar Training Program. Designed to equip trainees with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of orthopaedic surgery and prepare for final exams, Argo has grown into far more than a course calendar.

Its long-standing impact is driven by the Argo community itself, built on strong connections and a shared commitment to learning and growth, something Stryker’s South Pacific Medical Education team sees firsthand:

“We’ve seen how strongly registrars believe in this program,” says Tina Germani, Senior Marketing Manager – Medical Education and Professional Affairs. “Events consistently fill within 24 hours, with many requesting to join a waitlist. It’s a real testament to the long-term value Argo brings to clinicians. We’re incredibly proud to see registrars progress into faculty roles and to watch the program continue to evolve year after year.”

Over the past 20 years, more than 1,700 registrars have taken part in the Argo Registrar Program. In 2025 alone, over 90% of all Australian Orthopaedics Association and New Zealand Orthopaedic Association trainees chose to become Argo members.¹

Across its history, Argo has supported more than 1,800 customers^{1 (2 internal ref)} through cadaveric courses in hip and knee arthroplasty, fracture fixation, shoulder surgery and robotic-assisted surgery, and has helped more than 260 surgeons^{1 (3 internal ref)} navigate the fellowship process.

The next stage of the journey: Young Surgeons Program

Fellowship marks a pivotal transition in a young surgeon’s career. It’s also the point where many surgeons move seamlessly from the Argo Registrar Program into the Young Surgeon Program, continuing the education and support they’ve built over the years.

Created to support locums, fellows and new consultants within the first 2.5 years of establishing practice, the Young Surgeon Program is designed to help surgeons build confidence, refine technique and navigate the realities of early independent practice. It builds directly on the foundations laid through Argo, ensuring continuity at a stage where support and guidance matter most.

Clinical expertise is strengthened through close collaboration with experienced faculty, exposure to the latest technologies and techniques, and tailored education across joint replacement, foot and ankle, trauma, upper extremities and sports medicine. Like Argo, the Young Surgeon Program is uniquely positioned to draw on expertise across multiple orthopaedic specialties, allowing education to be shaped around the needs of surgeons at this critical stage of their journey.

At the heart of the Young Surgeon experience are cadaveric labs, consistently recognised by clinicians as high‑impact learning environments that translate directly into clinical practice. Faculty‑to‑delegate ratios are deliberately kept small to ensure every attendee benefits, creating space for genuine, personalised mentorship and hands‑on skills development rather than observation alone. This approach continues to resonate strongly, with the most recent cadaveric lab achieving a Net Promoter Score of 100 from participating surgeons.