University of California (San Francisco)/Fresno Program

Overview of the UCSF Fresno Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program

The UCSF Fresno Orthopaedic Surgery residency program is a five-year program designed to train the next generation of accomplished orthopaedic surgeons. Established in 2010, the program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). It aims to provide residents with exceptional surgical training, didactic education, and research opportunities while fostering a collaborative learning environment among faculty and peers.1

Training Sites and Clinical Experience

The primary training site for the program is the Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC), the only level 1 trauma center in California's Central Valley serving over 4 million residents. With a diverse patient population offering a wide range of clinical cases, residents gain hands-on experience in various settings including inpatient, outpatient, and operating room environments. The program ensures a strong emphasis on early surgical exposure, beginning from the first year of residency.1

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is designed to develop competent orthopaedic surgeons through a structured approach that includes two main components: surgical rotations and didactic training. The structure encompasses rotations through diverse clinical settings across different specialties, ensuring comprehensive training in all orthopaedic domains.3

Annual Rotation Breakdown

• PGY-1: Focus on foundational clinical experiences with rotations in orthopaedic trauma, hand surgery, and non-orthopaedic services including general trauma, surgical ICU, and emergency medicine.
• PGY-2: Increased responsibilities in orthopaedic trauma management and participation in pediatric orthopaedic rotations at Valley Children’s Hospital, along with dedicated research time.
• PGY-3: Exploration of subspecialties such as adult reconstruction and sports medicine with opportunities for independent learning through elective rotations.
• PGY-4: Chief resident duties allowing for leadership in patient care, surgical planning, and teaching junior residents.
• PGY-5: Preparation for independent practice with final rotations leading resident surgeons into chief roles guiding trauma teams.

The program also includes regular conferences, lectures, and journal clubs that emphasize critical review and analysis of current orthopaedic literature.3

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral part of the residency program, requiring residents to engage in hypothesis-driven projects that can lead to publishable work. The expectation is to carry out at least two major research projects, with opportunities to present findings at regional and national conferences.2

Application Process and Requirements

The program accepts four PGY-1 residents annually through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applications are processed via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Eligibility Criteria

• Must possess US citizenship, green card, or an ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visa for international medical graduates.
• A strong performance on USMLE Step 1 (recommended minimum score of 230) for first-time pass.
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from the program director and/or chair of surgery.
• A dean's letter and official medical school transcripts must be included in the application.

UCSF Fresno typically does not offer sponsorship for H-1B visas, aligning their support mostly towards J-1 visas for those interested in the residency.4

Program Competitiveness and Diversity

The UCSF Fresno Orthopaedic Surgery residency program is recognized as a competitive opportunity within California and is considered friendly toward both International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) students.

Salary and Benefits

Residents at UCSF Fresno are compensated according to the UCSF salary scales, and packages often include benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with access to resources and wellness programs tailored for residents.2

Unique Aspects of the Program

One notable aspect of the UCSF Fresno program is its commitment to underrepresented medical students. The residency offers educational stipends to support minority students during sub-internships, aligning with the program's values of diversity and inclusivity within the medical community.5

Faculty and Mentoring

Residents benefit from a highly experienced faculty dedicated to teaching and advancing resident education. With a faculty-to-resident ratio greater than 2:1, trainees gain substantial direct mentorship in surgical techniques and patient care.1