Residency Program Overview
An orthopaedic residency at Thomas Jefferson University represents one of the most comprehensive and widely respected programs in the country. Strong, clinically able physicians have always represented the credo of Jefferson, and this objective still remains uppermost in our goals. Clinical research has been a welcomed addition to the orthopaedic program over the past half century with a progressive commitment to basic research as well. The current faculty continues these goals of excellence directed to clinical care, clinical and basic research, and teaching. The department is composed of 10 sections, each devoted to a particular orthopaedic specialty. The parent institution is Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the affiliate hospitals include Bryn Mawr, and Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. In educating residents our overall goals are:
- To instill dedication to excellence in patient care
- To provide a diverse and meaningful selection of clinical conferences
- To stimulate interest in clinical and basic science research
Six residents are admitted annually through a highly selective process administered through the match. We are currently using ERAS exclusively for the upcoming application process. The orthopaedic residency at Jefferson is a four year clinical program, following an initial post-graduate transitional year spent at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. In addition, fellowships are offered in specific areas where a critical mass of personal and educational material exists, thus avoiding a negative impact on the residency. As residents progress through the program, they will assume greater responsibility for patient care in the operating room as well as during pre-operative and post-operative evaluations. Along with these duties, residents take an active role in the education of medical students rotating through the orthopaedic services. By the end of the program, residents have a rich breadth of clinical experience.
PGY-1
The PGY-1 year is spent at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and is coordinated in conjunction with the Department of Surgery. The PGY-1 year is a transitional year that is typically divided into 12 one month rotations on a variety of surgical and primary care services. The goal of the PGY-1 year is to provide the basics of the care and evaluation of the surgical patient. Time spent on the orthopaedics, rehab medicine, and radiology is in preparation for the clinical responsibilities of the orthopaedic residency.
- General Surgery - 6 months
- Orthopaedic Surgery - 3 months
- Rehabilitation Medicine - 1 month
- Emergency Medicine - 1 month
- Musculoskeletal Radiology - 1 month
PGY-2
The emphasis of the PGY-2 year is on learning the basics of general orthopaedic care. Responsibilities include providing the primary care for patients on both the Joint and Spine/Trauma services at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Working primarily with the physicians of the Rothman Institute, the residents are exposed to a large number of joint replacement and spinal cord injury patients and are expected to actively participate in all aspects of their care. There is a two month rotation as a "night float" resident at TJUH. The final two months are spent at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
- Spine/Trauma Service
- Sports Medicine
- Joint Service
- Nazareth Hospital
- Bryn Mawr Hospital
- Night Float
- Day Float
- Pediatric Ortho
PGY-3
The PGY-3 year is focused on increasing a residents responsibilities and developing subspecialty specific orthopaedic skills. The year is typically divided into two month rotations on a variety of orthopaedic subspecialites. These rotations allow the resident to further define and sharpen the fundamentals of orthopaedics acquired during the PGY-2 year. Surgical indications are emphasized as residents have a balanced commitment to both the operating room and the office. The goal of the PGY-3 year is to prepare the resident for the responsibility and independence expected of a senior resident.
- Philadelphia Hand Center
- Shoulder Service
- Trauma Service
- Pediatric Orthopaedics
- Bryn Mawr Hospital
- Research
PGY-4
The PGY-4 resident as a senior resident assumes an increased independence and responsibility. Two months rotations will be spent at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lehigh Valley for Trauma, Philadelphia Hand Service, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and Foot/Ankle Surgery at TJUH. The goal of the PGY-4 year is to prepare the residents for the duties of their upcoming chief year.
- Bryn Mawr Hospital
- St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
- Trauma Elective
- Philadelphia Hand Center
- Shoulder Service
- Foot/Ankle Service
PGY-5
The PGY-5 resident returns to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for their chief year. The year is divided equally between the three primary orthopaedic services at Jefferson. The PGY-5 is held responsible for the services on which he or she is chief resident. Duties include the supervision and teaching of junior residents and medical students and preparation of the weekly clinical conferences. Chief residents also spend two months as the acting administrative chief. During this time they are responsible for scheduling the clinical conferences, vacations and the monthly call schedules. At the end of the PGY-5 year, the orthopaedic resident is expected to demonstrate the clinical skills and orthopaedic knowledge base appropriate for a finishing chief resident.
- Joint Service
- Sports Service
- Spine Service
- Shoulder Service
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