A structured, repeating two-year curriculum of daily conferences provides residents with a solid knowledge base with lectures by orthopedic attending physicians, outside speakers and residents. Residents attend an annual educational conference or meeting supported by the department.
The success of this curriculum is demonstrated in residents’ outstanding Orthopaedic In-Training Exam (OITE) scores in recent years.
Monday – Trauma Conference
Residents are challenged to discuss interesting cases seen in the prior week, addressing initial emergency department care, non-operative and operative treatment options and post-operative management. The conference is moderated by various faculty members, who provide additional complementary perspectives for each case.
Tuesday – Core Curriculum
Orthopedic faculty, as well as faculty from departments such as radiology, infectious diseases and endocrinology, give lectures on topics ranging from revision total knee arthroplasty and flexor tendon injuries to osteoporosis and antibiotic prophylaxis in orthopedics.
Wednesday – Basic Science, Pathology and OITE Review
PGY-4 residents give lectures once per month in orthopedic basic science and orthopedic pathology/tumor, both of which are moderated by orthopedic faculty. The remaining two Wednesdays of the month are used for OITE review, during which time residents review topics and practice questions as a group.
Thursday – Grand Rounds
Orthopedic faculty, residents and visiting speakers discuss interesting cases, new developments and controversial topics in these weekly conferences attended by the entire department.
Friday – Anatomy
PGY-3 residents are provided with a cadaver for dissection and demonstration of surgical approaches in an anatomy lab on the medical school campus. Alternating lectures and anatomy lab sessions are given by the PGY-3 residents and overseen by appropriate faculty.
