Boston University Medical Center Program

The Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program at Boston University Medical Center is a fully accredited program recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the Residency Review Committee (RRC). This program is designed to accommodate a total of 25 residents, admitting five residents each year across two different training routes. The program includes four traditional positions over five years and one six-year position that integrates a dedicated research year. The research year focuses on skeletal biology or epidemiology pertaining to osteoarthritis or skeletal trauma, ideally between the PGY2 and PGY3 years.

The educational structure of the program includes a range of rigorous clinical responsibilities. Residents will initially engage in various outpatient clinics and inpatient ward rounds. They provide direct patient care under supervision and progressively take on more complex responsibilities as they gain experience. Moreover, residents handle pre-operative, post-operative, and non-operative management, while also participating actively in the operating room alongside attending physicians.

The program is committed to educational excellence, providing a structured curriculum that spans approximately two years to cover essential topics in orthopaedics. Formal didactic and clinical teaching occurs through lectures, trauma conferences, journal clubs, and bioskills sessions. Protected educational time during the week ensures that residents are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills throughout their training.

Residents complete a comprehensive research project before graduation, and they are encouraged to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals. National conference attendance, along with financial support for travel and fees, is available for residents presenting their work, fostering an environment that prioritizes research and academic engagement.

The residency offers an array of clinical rotations across multiple esteemed institutions. The Boston Medical Center serves as the primary site, which specializes in trauma care and surgical orthopaedics, with an average of over 2000 trauma admissions annually. Rotations also include time spent at Boston Children's Hospital, Lahey Clinic, and Massachusetts General Hospital, each providing unique subspecialty experiences ranging from pediatric to adult orthopaedic care.

All residents participate in the Managed On-Call requirement, which varies by institution. At Boston Medical Center, two residents from each level share call responsibilities in a setting that is recognized as a level-one trauma center, ensuring comprehensive exposure to various acute cases. Similarly, responsibilities at Lahey Clinic and Boston VA Medical Center are designated based on residency level, creating a well-structured on-call schedule.

The program also promotes a diverse and inclusive environment, with a notable emphasis on developing the mentoring relationship between faculty and residents. Freshmen are assigned faculty mentors who guide their growth, while a designated faculty advisor is chosen in the third year to further facilitate the residents' professional development.

Regarding application competitiveness, the program actively seeks applicants demonstrating exceptional academic potential along with essential interpersonal skills conducive to thriving in an intensive training atmosphere. It is designed to be supportive of both MD and DO graduates, as well as International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Applicants must meet specific criteria, including a reasonable number of attempts for STEP exams and a recent graduation date, maintaining focus on the residency's academic standards.

Visa sponsorship includes support for J-1 and H-1B visas, catering to international applicants who demonstrate excellence in their medical training and strong adaptability to the residency’s rigorous demands.

This comprehensive residency program exemplifies a commitment to both clinical preparedness and research engagement, establishing a solid foundation for future leaders in orthopaedic surgery.