The program is structured to provide a strong academic base of information, which is followed by a rapid progression of clinical and surgical responsibility and subspecialty experiences leading up to the chief resident year. A listing of rotations by year illustrates this. Residents first assist in nearly all surgeries with increasing responsibility as appropriate based on level of experience.

PGY-1
This year provides three months of general orthopaedics (one month at each of the three hospitals). It also includes one-month rotations in surgical intensive care, general surgery, two months of trauma surgery, plastics and reconstructive surgery (hand emphasis), neurosurgery, vascular surgery, anesthesia and physical medicine and rehabilitation.  Call ranges from 6-10/month with home call 6 of 12 months.

PGY-2
10 weeks of general orthopaedics at both St. Mary’s and Blodgett hospitals, with two 10-week blocks at Butterworth hospital;  One 10-week block of subspecialty rotations in sports medicine and foot and ankle surgery;  Call consists of home call 8-9 calls/month at St. Mary’s and Blodgett.  Butterworth call is based on a night float system.

PGY-3
Two 10-week blocks of general orthopaedics with an emphasis on trauma, arthroscopy and adult reconstruction; Two 10-week blocks of pediatric orthopaedics; One 10-week block emphasizing sports medicine and orthopaedic research (5 weeks each); Call consists of 7-8 home calls/month at St. Mary’s and Blodgett hospitals and 3 calls/month at Butterworth hospital.

PGY-4
Five-week rotations on both spine and foot and ankle and a 10-week block of hand surgery service; 10 weeks of general orthopaedics at St. Mary’s hospital; 10 weeks of orthopaedic trauma surgery emphasizing surgical treatment of complex fractures; 10 weeks of sports medicine, orthopaedic research, and elective surgical experience; Call consists of 3-5 home calls per month on all rotations except trauma.  Trauma call is 8-10 per month of surgical backup call for emergent cases only.  No primary call/floor or ER responsibilities.

PGY-5
Three months as chief resident at Saint Mary’s, Blodgett and Butterworth hospitals; Three months on an elective outpatient service – this rotation has been utilized in the past as an opportunity to pursue away rotations or medical missionary work in third world countries. The chief resident is also in charge of the resident clinic service and cases at each hospital.  Call consists of 2 home calls/month at St. Mary’s and Blodgett hospitals and trauma surgical backup call at Butterworth hospital.

Didactic Program
Weekly Rotation Specific Conferences

Weekly grand rounds 7-9am Wednesday
• Resident and attending lectures supplemented with guest lecturers

Weekly resident hour 9-10am Wednesday
• Chief resident guided reviews of trauma text and Instructional Course Lectures

Monthly Anatomy Lab
• Located in the orthopaedic residency’s cadaver and skills laboratory with a hands-on cadaveric dissection reviewing surgical approaches, osseous/neurovascular/muscular anatomy

Monthly Journal Club

Monthly Skills Lab
• Curriculum includes musculoskeletal exam and surgical techniques

Basic Science Lecture Series
• Quarterly videoconference with guest speakers

Orthopaedic Pathology review
• 10 week course held before the in-training examination

Annual Alumni Conference