Residency Program Overview
Our residency program offers trainees a balanced learning experience in a variety of clinical facilities with predictable caseloads, responsibilities and opportunities. Resident rotations in each post-graduate year (PGY) maximize the benefit of the training within the context of the areas of clinical strengths at each participating institution.
Our program offers two training tracks:
- A five-year clinical track
- A six-year research track which includes one dedicated year of research during the second year of training
Each year our program matches four residents to the five-year clinical track and one resident to the six-year research track.
Program Progression
PGY 1
PGY 1 establishes the foundational knowledge and skills that residents will develop throughout the program. You will manage admitted patients, familiarizing yourself with holistic care practices while gaining some experience with consultations. You will also be exposed to operative skills in controlled environments, learning the fundamentals of surgical decision-making skills and indications for non-operative and operative treatment.
Internship Rotations: 6 months in orthopedic surgery; then 3 one-month rotations assigned from the following: General Surgery, General Surgery Trauma, Plastic Surgery/Burn Surgery, Surgical or Medical Intensive Care, and Vascular Surgery; and 3 one-month rotations assigned from the following: Anesthesiology, Basic Surgical Skills Training, Emergency Medicine, Rheumatology, General Surgery, General Surgery Trauma, Internal Medicine, Medical or Surgerical Intensive Care, Musculoskeletal Surgery, Musculoskeletal Radiology, Neurological Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Plastic/Burn Surgery, Vascular Surgery
PGY 2
PGY 2 allows residents to further develop physical exam skills, decision making processes and musculoskeletal knowledge. You will become increasingly familiar with orthopedic literature, care of inpatients, surgical techniques and the evaluation of outpatients in both clinics and emergency rooms. Special focus is placed on consultations and evaluations of patients in acute settings.
Sophomore Rotations: Orthopedic Trauma, Spine, Pediatric Orthopedics, Adult Orthopedics, Hand
PGY 3
In PGY 3 residents balance acute medical management with evaluations and consultations. You will assist with operative and non-operative care in diverse inpatient and outpatient settings. Special consultative experience is offered in Veterans Administration facilities with spinal cord injuries. You will also develop arthroscopic skills and a strong foundation in sports medicine.
Junior Rotations: Orthopedic Oncology, Foot & Ankle, Adult Joint Reconstruction, Adult Orthopedics, Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Research
PGY 4
PGY 4 is an operative-heavy year, offering residents invaluable opportunities to hone one’s craft in operating rooms. You will manage outpatient care as well as most of the inpatient care, participating in operative decisions while progressing your surgical skills. You are also given opportunities to help teach junior residents and medical students.
Senior Rotations: Orthopedic Trauma, Spine, Orthopedic Oncology, Foot & Ankle, Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Pediatric Orthopedics
PGY 5
PGY 5 is a heavily administrative and managerially directed year. As a chief resident, you will work with substantial autonomy in preparation for running an operating room while continuing to fine-tune your surgical skills. Being exposed to a large number of arthroscopic and open procedures will strengthen the principles and techniques of diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to formulate treatment plans for a variety of infectious processes.
Chief Rotations: Orthopedic Trauma, Hand, Orthopedic Oncology, Adult Joint Reconstruction, Orthopedic Sports Medicine
Didactics
Grand Rounds
Topics include basic science, subspecialty clinical updates, radiology and visiting speakers.
Morbidity & Mortality conference
Faculty and trainees convene as a forum on a monthly basis, reviewing cases and learning from each other while improving health care delivery and patient safety.
Subspecialty conference
Residents and faculty meet with their respective services for case and article presentations and discussions.
Core lectures
8 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Faculty-led lectures cover all clinical areas, rotating every 2 years. Includes a dedicated 2 month block reviewing in-training topics.
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Resident-led lectures cover various clinical topics.
Journal club
Residents and faculty meet to discuss journal articles in an informal atmosphere. Each month focuses on a different subspecialty.
Weekly anatomy dissections
Dissections are led by faculty and residents have ample opportunity for hands-on experience. Each week focuses on a different anatomical region.
Sawbones Workshops
Sawbones workshops cover fracture fixation and total joint arthroplasty, usually including a brief didactic lecture from faculty. Residents given opportunities to use the supplied implants in simulated fractures and arthroplasty.
cadaver lab
Throughout the year, residents have opportunities to train on arthroscopy techniques using cadavers.
Subspecialty Educational Activities
During each rotation, residents participate in educational activities organized by the service with which they are training.
Research Teaching Conferences
A series of lectures are given on Tuesday mornings to the research resident, fellows and graduate students. Lectures cover the orthopedic research aspects of physiology, bioengineering, biochemistry and statistics.