MedStar Health Georgetown University Program

The MedStar Health—Georgetown University Hospital Residency Program in Orthopaedic Surgery is a comprehensive five-year training program, designed to provide residents with a robust educational experience while ensuring the highest quality of patient care. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and accepts four residents each year. The primary clinical sites for training are MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center, with a focus on diverse orthopedic disciplines.

Curriculum Overview
The residency curriculum is structured to encompass a wide array of orthopedic subspecialties. Each year is designed to build upon the prior year's experiences:

• PGY-1: The first year entails six months of general orthopedics and orthopedic trauma, combined with rotations in general and transplant surgery, trauma, surgical intensive care unit (SICU), surgical skills, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and musculoskeletal radiology. Notably, the call structure during this year is in-house, emphasizing primary call responsibilities.
• PGY-2: Residents will gain focused experience through rotations in adult reconstruction, sports medicine, and foot and ankle surgery, among others, which are critical for foundational learning.
• PGY-3: This year includes an intensive pediatric orthopedic rotation at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, along with exposure to spine and hand surgery.
• PGY-4: During this year, residents will participate in advanced trauma experiences and research opportunities within the orthopedic field.
• PGY-5: This final year features chief responsibilities, preparing residents for independent practice.

Throughout their training, residents spend significant time in outpatient clinics, ensuring that they experience continuity of care, observing patients preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively. Each resident spends two half-days per week in an outpatient setting, providing critical hands-on practice.

Rotations

Rotational experiences are under the guidance of fellowship-trained subspecialists and last for three months, with specific highlights:

• Foot and ankle (PGY-2)
• Hand (PGY-3)
• Spine (PGY-3)
• Adult joint reconstruction (PGY-2 and PGY-4)
• Sports medicine (PGY-4)
• General/pediatric orthopedics (PGY-5)

Research Opportunities

The program places strong emphasis on research, with opportunities available across all training years. Faculty members are actively engaged in various research initiatives, encouraging residents to contribute meaningfully to the field of orthopedic surgery.

Competitive Environment

The orthopedic surgery residency program is known to be highly competitive, focusing on applicants from accredited institutions who have demonstrated strong academic records. Applicants are evaluated based on their performance in USMLE or COMLEX, letters of recommendation, and personal statements reflecting their dedication to the field. MedStar Georgetown University Hospital primarily sponsors J1 visas, making the program IMG-friendly for international medical graduates seeking training in the United States.

Application Requirements

To apply for the residency program, candidates must ensure their applications are complete and submitted by a designated deadline. Each application must include the following:

• ERAS common application form
• USMLE Step 1 transcript (pass/fail); Step 2 CK and CS when available (or equivalent COMLEX scores)
• Medical school transcript
• Personal statement
• Dean's Letter (as applicable)
• 2-3 letters of recommendation, with at least one from a departmental support letter

Diversity Initiative

In line with efforts to promote diversity, the orthopedic surgery department offers scholarships for underrepresented medical students, providing financial support to enhance travel and housing expenses while participating in away rotations.

Training Sites

The residency program utilizes several key training sites:

• MedStar Georgetown University Hospital: Recognized as a top facility in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, offering comprehensive orthopedic services.
• MedStar Washington Hospital Center: Provides a platform for advanced trauma exposure and other vital orthopedic training.
• Children's National Medical Center: A critical site for pediatric orthopedic training, ensuring residents gain necessary experience before graduation.

Visiting Students

For those interested in away rotations, the program actively welcomes visiting students from LCME-accredited medical schools. This provides an excellent opportunity to experience the residency environment and meet current residents and faculty.