Hospital for Special Surgery/Cornell Medical Center Program

The Orthopaedic Residency Program at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a distinguished five-year course of training dedicated to producing not only skilled surgeons but also innovative leaders in the field of orthopaedics. HSS has a long-standing tradition of excellence in musculoskeletal health, consistently ranking as the number one orthopedic hospital in the United States.

Program Structure and Curriculum

Residents engage in rigorous training through a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes didactics, research, and a variety of surgical techniques. From the onset of their residency, trainees participate in educational conferences and engage in hands-on clinical activities that culminate in their ability to master fundamental and advanced orthopedic procedures. The program fosters a culture of academic inquiry, with mandatory basic or clinical research obligations for residents, who must also submit a research grant during their tenure.

The curriculum is designed to ensure a progressive increase in responsibility and skill acquisition across different subspecialty rotations. Key rotations include:

• Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Service: Offers an expansive learning experience in joint replacement techniques and complex revisions.
• NYP/Weill Cornell Fracture Service (Trauma): Provides training at premier trauma centers with exposure to a wide spectrum of traumatic orthopedic cases.
• Pediatric Orthopaedics: Covers diverse conditions and surgical interventions for children, emphasizing innovative techniques.
• Foot and Ankle and Hand Services: Focus on specialized conditions and trauma in the upper and lower extremities.
• Sports Service: Residents work with elite athletes, learning advanced techniques in sports medicine.

Rotations and Clinical Exposure

The residency includes diverse rotations at multiple locations to ensure comprehensive exposure to different medical environments. The core training sites consist of HSS itself, along with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and a variety of regional sites. Residents benefit from a high patient volume, which translates to increased surgical exposure and experience in a wide array of orthopedic conditions.

Additional experience is gained through elective rotations, which are available during the PGY-4 and PGY-5 years, allowing residents to tailor training to their specific interests in orthopaedic subspecialties.

Research Opportunities

HSS residents are actively involved in research endeavors, supported by a robust research infrastructure. Each resident is expected to engage in clinical or basic science research, with dedicated time allocated during the PGY-4 or PGY-5 years for this purpose. The program encourages presentations at national conferences, offering financial support for research endeavors and course participation.

Training Environment and Facilities

The Hospital for Special Surgery is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a Simulation Learning and Training Center, which provides an essential training ground for surgical techniques. The program benefits from an expansive network of faculty who are leaders in their respective fields, ensuring mentorship and guidance throughout the residency.

Application Process and Competitiveness

HSS’s Orthopaedic Residency Program is fiercely competitive with an intake of nine new residents annually. The program is DO-friendly and welcomes applications from international medical graduates (IMGs). Applicants should have significant clinical experience and ideally should engage in research during medical school. Specific requirements include a well-rounded academic background and strong performance on licensing examinations.

The program provides requisite visa sponsorships, accommodating a range of visa types to facilitate the participation of international candidates.

Unique Aspects of the Residency

HSS offers a unique training environment focused on musculoskeletal health, positioning its residents at the forefront of orthopedic surgery innovation. The residency program has built a strong reputation, with a majority of graduates successfully matching into competitive fellowship programs upon completion, often returning as leaders in orthopaedic departments nationwide. Alumni of the program hold influential roles in various medical organizations.