McLaren Health Care/Oakland/MSU Program

Specialty:Orthopaedic surgery
ACGME Code:2602500220
NRMP Code:1866260C1
Status:Continued Accreditation

Overview

Orthopaedic Surgery Residency - McLaren Oakland

The McLaren Oakland Orthopaedic Surgery Residency program is a five-year ACGME-accredited program based in a level 2 trauma center located in downtown Pontiac, Michigan. The program is designed to equip residents with the skills necessary for a successful career in orthopaedic surgery, emphasizing both clinical excellence and scholarly activities.

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The residency is comprised of a diverse curriculum featuring multiple rotations, allowing residents to gain experience in various subspecialties within orthopaedic surgery.

Curriculum

The curriculum focuses on comprehensive training through a variety of rotations lasting from one to four months. Key rotations include:

  • General Orthopaedics - 4 months
  • Spine - 2 months
  • General Surgery - 1 month
  • Anesthesia - 2 weeks
  • Musculoskeletal Radiology - 2 weeks
  • Emergency Room - 1 month
  • Internal Medicine - 1 month
  • ICU - 1 month
  • Orthopaedic House - 4 months
  • Hand Surgery - 4 months
  • Sports Medicine - 2 months
  • Trauma - 8 months, with varying locations including Sinai-Grace Hospital, Detroit Receiving Hospital, and others
  • Pediatric Orthopaedics - 4 months at DMC Children’s Hospital
  • Joints - 4 months at Huron Valley Hospital
  • Elective Rotations - 2 months
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This extensive curriculum ensures that residents are well-versed in all aspects of orthopaedic care.

Training Sites

The residency program utilizes multiple training sites to provide a well-rounded experience:

  • McLaren Oakland
  • Crittenton Hospital
  • Detroit Receiving Hospital
  • DMC Children’s Hospital
  • Huron Valley Hospital
  • Sinai-Grace
  • St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital
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Didactics and Resident Clinic

Educational enhancement is a priority in the residency program. There is a structured didactic session every Thursday morning lasting four hours, which is led by faculty and residents. Additionally, Friday mornings begin with attending lectures prior to resident clinic, along with monthly journal clubs that engage residents in landmark and contemporary literature reviews. The residency also encompasses participation in the Michigan State University Statewide Campus System lecture series once a month.

Residents provide care during the weekly resident clinic held every Friday morning at McLaren Oakland, focusing on serving underprivileged populations in the community. This clinic includes a staffing model of one attending physician alongside interns and residents.

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Application Requirements

To apply for the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, applicants must submit their application through the Electronic Resident Application Service (ERAS). Important eligibility requirements include:

  • Medical students must be enrolled in an accredited degree program (MD or DO).
  • Applicants must be legally eligible to reside and work in the US.
  • The completed ERAS application should include a medical school transcript, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, COMLEX or USMLE examination scores, and a curriculum vitae.
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Applicants are evaluated based on a combination of objective and subjective criteria, guided by the Program Director and the Selection Committee.

Interview Process

Interviews are conducted by invitation only, with the process carried out virtually. Candidates will interact with the program director as well as other faculty and residents. Information regarding the details of the program will be shared once an interview has been scheduled.

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Visa Support

The orthopaedic surgery program is supportive of international medical graduates and offers visa sponsorship, primarily for J-1 and H-1B visa types, enabling a diverse cohort of talented residents.

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Competitiveness

The residency program is considered competitive, welcoming applicants from both MD and DO backgrounds. The overall environment is perceived as friendly towards international medical graduates (IMGs), providing an equitable platform for all qualified candidates.

Salary and Benefits

The program provides competitive salary scales along with comprehensive benefits designed to support residents during their training. Additional details regarding salary and specific benefits can be obtained through direct inquiries during the application process.

Scholarly Activities

Residents are encouraged to engage in scholarly activities, and participation in research projects is facilitated throughout the residency. This includes access to mentorship and resources to foster the development of academic knowledge and skills.

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Web sources

SmartPick

Program data

ACGME History

Accreditation Last updated: Jul 16, 2026
Initial accreditation4
Full accreditation0
Continued6
Warning0
Probationary Accreditation0
Withdrawal0

Program

Program Size

3, 3, 3, 3, 3 (5 years)

Accreditation Status

Continued Accreditation

(Effective: January 9, 2026)

Composition

DO · 100%

Training

Faculty-to-Residents Ratio:0.3X

Quality of Life

First Year Paid Sick Leave: --

First Year Paid Vacation: 20 days

First Year Salary: $60,023

First Year Maximum Consecutive Hours on Duty: 24 hours

First Year Average Weekly Hours: 60 hours

Admission

USMLE Step 2 Score: 239–268

Visa Sponsorship:--

YOG Cutoff:1

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Rotation Duration by Site

Benchmarks

Match & stats

Roster

Publications

1 Publication (5 yr)

Peer-reviewed output from faculty and residents, last 5 years

Arthroplasty today2026

Augmented Reality-Assisted vs Manual Total Knee Arthroplasty: Clinical and Perioperative Outcomes in a Consecutive Single-Surgeon Cohort.

Nathan Farner,1Gurkirat Jawanda,1Olga J Santiago-Rivera,2Safa S Kassab,3

Location

Pontiac, MI

Population
61,606
Median income
$42,791Below
Education
16.2%Below
Employment
55.5%Above
Health
12.5%Above
Age
33On par
  • Above the national average
  • Below the national average
  • Similar to the national average

Housing — Rental prices

Rental prices

Crime — All violent offences

Rate per 100,000 residents

Living in Pontiac, MI

Pontiac, MI is a suburban city located in Oakland County, Michigan. Here are some aspects of living in Pontiac:

FAQ

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External Links

1. Freida - https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/2602500220

2. ACGME - Accreditation Data System (ADS) - https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Programs/Search

3. NRMP Results and Data: 2022-2026 Main Residency Match - https://www.nrmp.org/match-data/2026/03/program-results-2022-2026/

4. United States Census Bureau - https://data.census.gov/profile/City,_VS?g=160XX00US2665440

5. Zillow Research - Observed Rent Index (ZORI) - https://www.zillow.com/research/data/

6. FBI - Crime/Law Enforcement Stats (Uniform Crime Reporting Program) - https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr

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