Academics
Academics
The Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program provides structured clinical, surgical, and academic training that prepares residents for successful practice across the full spectrum of orthopaedics. Residents develop knowledge through faculty mentorship, clinical experience, didactic education, research, and skills-based learning.
Resident Education
Residents participate in protected educational time each week that includes faculty lectures, resident presentations, anatomy review, board preparation, specialty conferences, and practical skills training.
Morning Report
Morning report provides opportunities to review patient cases, discuss diagnosis and treatment plans, strengthen presentation skills, and learn from faculty and peers.
Didactics and Skills Training
The curriculum includes core orthopaedic topics, anatomy instruction, surgical techniques, simulation activities, and hands-on skills laboratories designed to reinforce clinical learning.
Grand Rounds, Journal Club, and Conferences
Residents participate in grand rounds, journal clubs, visiting professor lectures, and research presentations to stay current with advances in orthopaedic surgery and evidence-based practice.
Professional Development
The program encourages participation in board preparation, research, scholarly activities, and professional meetings that support lifelong learning and career development.
Team Building
Residents also participate in activities that promote teamwork, communication, and collaboration throughout residency.
Courses
- PGY-1: Southwest Orthopaedic Trauma Association (SWOTA) Basic Fracture Care (typically attended by the entire class)
- PGY-2: AO Basic
- PGY-3: Orthopaedic Oncology Course (Enneking)
- PGY-5: AAOS Annual Meeting and Board Review Course (Miller Review)
Industry-Based Courses
Submission of research to conferences is encouraged, and the department will assist with funding travel if the research is accepted. Residents have recently attended or presented at the following conferences.
Conferences
- AAOS Annual Meeting
- OTA Annual Meeting
- POSNA
- AAHS
Academic Year at a Glance
The following table summarizes the recurring academic schedule and major educational focus areas during the residency year.
| Timeframe | Academic Focus |
|---|---|
| July through August | Core review lectures covering high-yield orthopaedic topics and foundational basic science. Interns present basic science lectures while senior residents present specialty lectures. |
| July through November | Core orthopaedic curriculum featuring anatomy dissections, faculty and resident lectures, and OITE preparation. |
| Throughout the year | Protected Wednesday academic half-day, daily trauma morning report, weekly all-resident morning report, journal clubs, anatomy instruction, and practical skills laboratories. |
| After OITE | Curriculum transitions to advanced cadaver and Sawbones laboratories with specialty-focused surgical skills training. |
Resident Educational Milestones
PGY-1
- SWOTA Basic Fracture Care Course
- Core anatomy curriculum and basic science instruction
- Early operative skills development
PGY-2
- AO Basic Course
- Increasing operative responsibility and advanced trauma education
PGY-3
- Orthopaedic Oncology (Enneking) Course
- Expanded subspecialty rotations and research presentations
PGY-4
- Advanced surgical training
- Cadaver and practical skills laboratories
- Leadership in resident education
PGY-5
- AAOS Annual Meeting
- Miller Board Review Course
- Chief resident leadership and board preparation
Important Annual Educational Events
- Protected Academic Conference every Wednesday
- Daily Trauma Morning Report
- Weekly Resident Morning Report
- Journal Club held throughout the year, including evening sessions with community faculty
- Visiting Professor Grand Rounds (approximately 3 to 4 annually)
- Research Day held with a Visiting Professor event
- Department-supported educational courses after internship
- Conference travel support for accepted research presentations