University of Colorado Program

The residents are considered competent and independent in the practice of orthopedic surgery after their training in the following rotations:  

Post-graduate year (PGY) I

The residents are part of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery from the time of the match. The first year is a rotating surgical internship with rotations including musculoskeletal radiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), rheumatology, general surgery, and six months of orthopedics. First-year rotations provide broad exposure to those surgical and medicine-based subspecialties that are integral to orthopedic surgery training. During your first year, we also have the PGY 1 residents attend the AO Basic Course through AO Trauma.

PGY II

During the second year, the focus is placed on developing basic operative and diagnostic skills, heavily weighted toward exposure to traumatic and adult orthopedics. 

PGY III

Emphasis is placed on further refining surgical skills with a specific focus on the management of the upper and lower extremities, spine, and sports medicine. An elective rotation and research rotation also occur in the third year. 

PGY IV

This year is considered a senior year due to its exposure in specialized areas of orthopedic surgery, including pediatric orthopedics, trauma, and spine surgery. 

PGY V

With an emphasis on autonomy both clinical and surgical. By the time the residents graduate they will have at least 2 rotations in each sub-specialty including dedicated time for research and electives.  The resident is responsible for organizing services and teaching and educating patients on advanced surgical techniques. We also offer an international experience in PGY5 year. To learn more about this experience click here. 

International Rotation Experience

As a PGY V residents have the opportunity to go on an international outreach rotation. This rotation is for one week and occurs on the Denver Health Hand rotation. Currently, we have sites of practice for Trauma in Panama and Peru, with additional opportunities for other locations. We work with the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Touching Hands in Honduras. A Pediatric experience in Guatemala City with The Shalom Foundation. 

PGY IV Research Resident

One of seven residents within each post-graduate year will dedicate an additional year of training to scientific research. Performed between the 3rd and 4th years of training, this position is aimed toward applicants who wish to pursue an academic career in Orthopedics as a clinician-scientist.

• Separate match with a unique identifier

• Research Year between PGY3 and PGY4 clinical training years

• Salary during research year at PGY3 level

• Independent pursuit of research funds is encouraged

• Research immersion January of PGY1 year, toward identifying mentor and project

• General information on current CU Orthopedics research.

Curriculum

A didactic core curriculum is offered on a two-year rotating cycle, and presented by the faculty or invited lecturers. Curriculum is based on the ROCK platform from the AAOS, to optimally prepare our residents for the OITE and ABOS Written Board Exam. The Department of Orthopedics funds all Orthopedic Residents to have access to ROCK and Res Study.  Grand Rounds are offered monthly, featuring a nationally recognized expert in the field of orthopedic surgery. Each fall we focus on anatomy and dissection labs with our CSI lab. Our program offers a professional mentor that starts from PGY1 year where the residents will meet with their mentors professionally and personally. 

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