University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine Program

The Orthopaedic Surgery program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Medicine provides an extensive five-year residency training tailored to meet the requirements established by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). Within this framework, the program enrolls four residents each year, fostering an engaging environment conducive to the development of skilled orthopaedic surgeons.

Teaching Philosophy

The faculty at UMKC is deeply committed to the active education of residents, emphasizing interactive methods during conferences and clinical rounds. This pedagogical approach encourages all residents to participate actively, formulating and defending treatment plans for their patients. Such an emphasis ensures that residents attain a high level of academic achievement while utilizing a robust foundational knowledge of orthopaedics 1.

Educational Benefits

The program provides several educational benefits to enhance learning and professional development. For instance, PGY-1 residents are furnished with personalized surgical loupes and lead for the operating room (OR). Notably, the resident with the highest score on the Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE) receives a monetary prize annually. Furthermore, residents in PGY-2 and above who score above the 80th percentile on the OITE are fully sponsored to attend the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting. Other conference opportunities include attending courses specific to their year of residency; for example, PGY-2s attend the AO Basic Course, while PGY-5s experience the Miller Review and additional industry-sponsored meetings 1.

Conference Structure

Formal teaching conferences predominantly occur on Wednesday mornings at University Health, from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM. The conferences feature presentations by faculty and residents, addressing board-relevant content, case discussions, and reviews. Additionally, the program includes specialized conferences addressing the Business of Medicine, diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), patient safety, and wellness. PGY-3 and PGY-4 residents present a formal grand rounds presentation each year, further honing their presentation and public speaking skills 1.

Rotations

The residency comprises a series of critical rotations across five years. Initially, PGY-1 residents navigate a varied schedule that includes critical care, vascular surgery, radiology, neurosurgery, and orthopaedic surgery. As residents progress to PGY-2, rotations include specialized areas such as pediatrics, trauma, hand, sports medicine, and spine surgery. Following this, PGY-3 residents delve into arthroplasty, foot and ankle procedures, research, pediatrics, and oncology rotations. PGY-4 and PGY-5 residents continue with advanced rotations in sports medicine, arthroplasty, trauma, hand, shoulder, elbow, and pediatric orthopaedics. Throughout the residency, graduates accumulate significant surgical experience, often exceeding 2,500 major surgical cases 1.

Resident Research

Research is a fundamental component of the UMKC Orthopaedic Surgery program. Each resident is required to complete a research project before graduation. By the conclusion of the PGY-2 year, residents must identify a research topic and collaborate with faculty members. The PGY-3 year includes a dedicated six-week research block, coupled with additional protected time for research activities in PGY-4 1. Research findings must be submitted for publication or presented at an orthopaedic meeting as a graduation requisite.

Work Hours and Call Responsibilities

The program adheres to strict regulations concerning resident duty hours, ensuring compliance with the 80-hour workweek established by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). During their training, residents typically encounter various night float rotations, particularly during PGY-2 and PGY-3 years. Call rotations are organized such that residents have no more than one call every three nights, complemented by a mandatory 24-hour break from clinical responsibilities every seven days 1.

Benefits and Support

The residency program offers an extensive benefits package that includes three weeks of paid vacation, professional liability coverage, sick leave, health insurance options, and access to dental and vision benefits. Residents are also provided with a long-term disability insurance program and a tax-deferred annuity choice. A unique aspect of the program is its commitment to supporting underrepresented minorities through scholarships aimed at easing the financial burden of travel and living expenses during rotations 2.

Application Process and Competitiveness

The application process for the UMKC Orthopaedic Surgery residency program is notably competitive, appealing to diverse candidates, including DO and IMG applicants. The program has established specific application requirements, such as the necessity for applicants to pass USMLE Step One and maintain good standing at their medical school. The program actively encourages applicants committed to excellence in orthopaedic education to apply 2.

Visa Support

The UMKC Orthopaedic Surgery program provides visa support for international medical graduates, typically supporting J-1 and H-1B visa types for eligible candidates. This ensures that qualified international students can participate fully in the residency program and receive the necessary training to excel in their medical careers 2.