Los Angeles County-Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Program

The Harbor-UCLA Orthopaedic Residency Training Program is renowned for providing a robust blend of surgical volume, hands-on operative experience, didactic instruction, clinical supervision, and a strong emphasis on early clinical decision-making and continuity of care. This demanding training regimen is complemented by a collegial atmosphere among residents and faculty, fostering an environment characterized by camaraderie and a shared purpose among participants in the field of orthopaedics.

Each year, the program admits five residents to the PGY1 level, allowing for a comprehensive top-tier training experience over five years. Residents gain exposure to various facets of orthopaedic surgery by rotating through key services, which included Trauma, Hand, Joints/Spine, and Sports/Foot & Ankle/Pediatrics throughout their training from PGY2 to PGY5. This extensive exposure ensures that upon completion, residents are well-versed in the critical competencies required for independent practice in orthopaedics.

Curriculum and Rotations

The structure of the residency curriculum is meticulously designed, beginning with initial rotations in areas vital to surgical practice. During the PGY1 year, residents undertake 4-week rotations that cover Orthopaedic Surgery, General Trauma Surgery, Surgical ICU, Musculoskeletal Radiology, and more, alongside opportunities to develop surgical skills in a dedicated Surgical Skills block.

Starting from the PGY2 to PGY5 years, residents delve deeper into major orthopaedic subspecialties, participating in rotations that last between 10 and 11 weeks. Specialties include trauma, adult reconstruction, sports medicine, spine, foot and ankle, pediatric orthopaedics, and hand surgery. The clinical rotations at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center offer comprehensive educational experiences, as residents manage outpatient clinics with around 56,000 visits annually.

Educational Activities and Conferences

The educational component of the program is reinforced through various didactic teaching methods. Weekly conferences, such as Trauma Conferences and Anatomy Conferences, alongside monthly Quality of Care, Morbidity and Mortality Conferences, ensure continuous education and knowledge sharing. The program also hosts a Journal Club where residents discuss pertinent literature and engage in collaborative learning.

Research Opportunities

Research is woven into the fabric of residency training at Harbor-UCLA. Faculty are engaged in multifaceted research activities, including clinical trials and biomechanical testing. Residents are encouraged to participate in ongoing projects and are required to complete an independent research project by the end of their PGY3 year, presenting at the annual Orthopaedic Education Program.

Resident Supervision and Responsibilities

The program emphasizes a structure where residents are afforded the privilege of graduated responsibility under meticulous supervision. Each resident's workload fosters an environment where they actively contribute to patient management while also receiving guidance from a qualified faculty member during clinical duties and surgical procedures. This model ensures that residents are not merely observers but are integral participants in the provision of care.

Unique Aspects of the Program

A hallmark of the Harbor-UCLA experience is the interaction of residents with a diverse patient population reflective of the rich cultural landscape of Los Angeles County, serving over 1.7 million residents. This exposure not only enriches the clinical training but also prepares residents to deliver care that is attuned to community needs.

The program also prides itself on being friendly to both DO and IMG applicants, offering opportunities for a varied range of backgrounds to be represented within its ranks. Applications to the program are competitive, with a structured requirement for USMLE scores and a Dean’s letter, among other accolades, to be submitted through the appropriate channels.

Visa Support and Application Requirements

For international medical graduates or those requiring sponsorship, the program facilitates visa support, primarily for J-1 and H-1B visas, contingent upon meeting various program-specific criteria.

The application process stipulates that applicants must not have more than one failed attempt on the USMLE exams, ensuring a standard for the incoming class aimed at maintaining quality within the training cohort.