McLaren Health Care/Greater Lansing/MSU Program

The Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program at McLaren Greater Lansing offers a comprehensive training experience designed to develop residents into skilled orthopedic surgeons. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and has a robust curriculum that encompasses a wide range of orthopedic subspecialties. The training sites include McLaren Orthopedic Hospital, Sparrow Hospital, Hayes Green Beach Hospital, The Cleveland Clinic, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, providing residents with diverse clinical exposure and learning opportunities 1.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is designed to provide residents with extensive exposure to both ambulatory and surgical orthopedics, emphasizing the osteopathic philosophy and principles relevant to orthopedic practice. The first year involves a foundational approach, allowing residents to build essential skills through multiple medical subspecialties before delving into a six-month concentrated rotation in general orthopedic surgery 1. Throughout the residency, ongoing education is facilitated by eight hours of teaching conferences weekly, which foster continuous learning and professional development.

First-Year Rotations

First-year residents complete various rotations that are critical for building a solid foundation in orthopedic surgery. The rotations include:

• Internal Medicine: 4 weeks
• Medical ICU: 4 weeks
• Emergency Medicine: 4 weeks
• Anesthesia: 4 weeks
• Vascular Surgery: 4 weeks
• General Surgery: 4 weeks
• Musculoskeletal Radiology: 4 weeks
• General Orthopedics: 24 weeks

This structure allows residents to develop competencies across different clinical environments before they specialize further 1.

Didactics and Conferences

The program includes extensive didactic sessions wherein residents participate in morning reports and anatomy labs. Didactic activities include:

• Anatomy lab every fourth Friday of the month.
• Daily morning reports led by the chief resident.
• Various specialty conferences (e.g., Adult Reconstruction, Foot and Ankle, Fracture Conferences) scheduled bi-monthly.

These educational offerings are designed to deepen residents' understanding of complex orthopedic issues and enhance their clinical acumen 1.

Research Opportunities

Engagement in scholarly activities is a significant aspect of the residency. All residents are required to complete a research project in their third, fourth, and fifth years. They are encouraged to present findings at conferences such as the AOAO Annual Post Graduate Seminar, ensuring that residents are well-prepared for academic and clinical excellence 1.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The program prides itself on fostering a supportive environment focused on the well-being of residents. Initiatives include a wellness curriculum that combines educational sessions and group activities aimed at reducing burnout and promoting peer camaraderie. Furthermore, the program offers up to four weeks for fellowship interviewing during the fourth year, allowing residents to explore their career options effectively 1.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The McLaren Greater Lansing program does not sponsor visa candidates. Thus, applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold valid green cards to qualify for the residency. This factor can make the program competitive, particularly for international medical graduates 1.

Application Requirements

All candidates must apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The following criteria are set for applicants:

• U.S. Citizen or valid green card holder.
• Passing scores on the first attempt of all USMLE/COMLEX exams (with a minimum score of 240 for USMLE Step 1 and 550 for COMLEX Step 1).
• Completion of medical school within four years, without educational-related extensions.
• Three letters of recommendation, a Dean's letter, and updated CV during the application process.

Additionally, the program encourages but does not require rotations at their facility as a part of the application process, which helps applicants familiarize themselves with the program's culture 1.