Orthopaedic Surgery
At A Glance
Program Type: Military Medical Center
Location: Augusta, GA
Accredited: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Program Length: 5 years
Required Pre-Requisite Training: Medical School Graduation
Categorical Year in Specialty Required: Yes
Total Approved Complement: 10
Approved per Year (if applicable): 2
Dedicated Research Year Offered: No
Medical Student Rotation Availability: 4th year
Additional Degree Concurrent with Training (e.g. MPH): No
Program Description
The Eisenhower Orthopedic Surgery Residency Training Program offers four years of intensive study and practice. Entry is either at the internship level or at the PGY2 level after completion of one year's training in an ACGME-accredited orthopedic surgery internship. The curriculum provides for two residents at each level, with extensive exposure and practical experience in all phases of reconstructive surgery, spine surgery, sports medicine, hand surgery, Foot and Ankle surgery, pediatric orthopedics, orthopedic oncology, complex trauma, and complete inpatient and outpatient care. Residents rotate for six months at the nationally renowned Scottish Rite Children's Hospital of Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, where all aspects of pediatric orthopedics are covered. Trauma training is concentrated through rotations at the University of South Carolina and University Hospital, Augusta, Georgia. Residents will also rotate away in Columbus, Georgia at Fort Moore for expanded operating experiences.
What research opportunities are available to rotating students and residents?
The Orthopedic Surgery department has a robust profile of ongoing research in multiple subspecialties. The department engages in a research meeting monthly to discuss the progress made in ongoing projects as well as explore new research ideas. The hospital enjoys a robust department of clinical investigations with active microbiology, the vivarium and clinical research opportunities. Additionally, we have strong, well-established partnerships with regional civilian partners in research.
What factors make an applicant competitive to match in the Eisenhower Orthopedic Surgery program?
Factors considered for the match at the local level include: grades, boards scores, and letters of recommendation, and personality and performance on a rotation. While we do not have specific board cut-off scores, successful applications generally have over a 240 on the USMLE Step 2 and demonstrate a strong work effort on their visiting rotation.
Mission, Vision and Aims
Mission
Provide comprehensive and specialized training in orthopedic surgery, while emphasizing continuous learning and professional development for residents and strive to improve patient outcomes and contribute to the advancement of orthopedic surgery as a specialty.
Vision
Develop skilled and knowledgeable orthopedic surgeons capable of delivering high-quality care.
Aims
- Foster a culture of excellence, professionalism, and compassion in patient care.
- Promote innovative research and evidence-based practices in orthopedic surgery.
- Cultivate leadership and teamwork skills essential for effective collaboration in the healthcare field.
Curriculum and Schedules
Morning Report
Occurs Monday through Friday to review the previous day’s call and operative cases.
Journal Club
A monthly dinner event to review current literature with staff and residents.
Cadaver Lab
A weekly training event using cadaveric dissections to review applied anatomy and surgical approaches
Orthopaedic Grand Rounds
Presented by a resident or faculty every Friday. Designed to build foundational knowledge.
Augusta Spine Symposium
An annual spine conference attended by numerous orthopaedic/neurosurgery residencies in the region. Designed in a grand rounds format, numerous thought leaders in spine surgery present on topics of interest.
Mock Oral Boards
Held annually for graduates and military surgeons in the southeast who are preparing for American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Part II certification.
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Our program does not offer elective rotations.
- Every three nights at home call while at Eisenhower. 1-2 weekends per month, at home call.
- Every five nights at hospital call on Trauma/Pediatric surgery. 1-2 weekends per month, at hospital.
All residents attend the Combat Casualty Care Course during their intern year. Residents have opportunities to attend live tissue labs with simulated battlefield injuries.
In addition to outside rotations, residents attend short courses in Association of Osteosynthesis (AO) Basic Surgical Skills, Orthopedic, and Orthopedic Oncology.
Simulation Lab available in the hospital. We have arthroscopic training equipment available to all residents and staff 24/7. Simulation also conducted in the Cadaver lab on Fridays during didactic sessions.
Eisenhower Orthopedic Surgery develops leadership within their residents with an increasing number of responsibilities and personnel management as you progress through residency. As an intern physician, you will be responsible for managing nursing and hospital staff that care for inpatients. As you progress into 2nd and 3rd year, you will be responsible for the care of inpatients and clinics, as well as operative cases on your rotating service during your rotations. As you transition into the 4th and 5th years of residency, Chief responsibilities are expected, and you will manage the Orthopedic Service entirely by scheduling and coordinating with Hospital staff.
Scholarly and Professional Development Opportunities
Ample opportunity is given for research during each year of training. Basic science research is supported through a large Department of Clinical Investigation with capabilities for studying biomechanics, biomaterials, genetics, pharmacokinetics, and biostatistics. Opportunity for conducting clinical research protocols is available at any time during the course of training.
Weekly interdisciplinary meetings held with hospital staff to ensure quality of the Orthopedic Inpatient and Outpatient Ward maintains a high standard for our patients.
Captain’s Career Course available for residents to attend during residency in order to prep them for career in military medicine.
Participating Sites
- Piedmont Hospital Augusta
- Children’s Hospital Atlanta
- PRISMA Hospital Columbia
- Augusta University
- Doctors Hospital
Applicant Information, Rotation and Interview Opportunities
Any MD/DO candidate can pursue audition rotations with Eisenhower orthopedics.
Any MD/DO candidate wishing to pursue a career in Orthopedic Surgery is welcome to apply. We interview all rotating candidates for Residency Selection and take into consideration performance during auditioning rotations.
Program graduates take the a two part exam from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). These exams are offered annually. To become fully board certified, applicants are eligible to take the written (Part I) board certification exam immediately following graduation. After graduates take the Part I exam, they then go into clinical practice in a board eligible status and collect cases to for the ABOS Part II/Oral exam approximately two years after completion of residency training.
Teaching Opportunities
There are opportunities for both formal and informal teaching and instructing of rotating Medical Students.
Daily morning report provides time for both Senior Residents and Fellowship trained staff to instruct junior residents about Orthopedic Injuries, indications for surgery, surgical techniques and post-operative plans in order to develop well rounded orthopedic surgeons capable of serving both the civilian and military populations.
Faculty and Mentorship
Faculty within the Orthopedic Surgery department have a wide array Fellowship sub-specialty training. Core faculty members of the residency program are here with the principal objective of resident education and advancement of the program. As such, they are dedicated to committing the time and effort to provide the residents with the opportunities to learn and develop as they progress in their training. All faculty members are involved regularly with scholarly activity including clinical research projects and Quality Improvement/Process Improvement projects.
Each resident works closely with Fellowship trained staff during their rotation on different orthopedic services. The nature of these rotations is to form mentor-mentee relationships with staff in order to develop General Orthopedic Surgeons capable of handling a wide variety of Orthopedic cases.
Well-Being
The Orthopedic Surgery residents in this program have matriculated from all over the country and bring with them a broad and diverse background and experience. The residents develop close and supportive relationships which provide an atmosphere of collegiality. The demands of residency are high, and the importance of resident wellness is a critical priority of the program and the EAMC GME Department. A wellness working group has been established within the GME Committee to help provide resources for residents at EAMC. In addition, the Orthopedic Surgery program hosts several social events throughout the year:
Annual Intern Welcome Party
All faculty and residents and their families get together for an evening of fun and food at the start of the academic year to help welcome the new residents and share stories about their experiences and rotations.
Post Orthopaedic In-Training Exam (OITE) Party
All residents and faculty come together to celebrate the completion of the annual Orthopedic In-service Training Examination.
Chief Resident Graduation Party
This event serves as our departmental “Hail and Farewell,” where we say Goodbye to the graduating class and welcome the new first-year class.
Fifth Friday
Every month with a fifth Friday residents are excused from clinical duties to engage in a morale/team-building activity. Past activities have included mountain biking, paintball, a visit to a local ATV Park, golf and wake boarding on Lake Strom Thurmond.
Journal Club
A monthly evening dinner for faculty and residents to discuss recent journal articles as well as socialize.
Contact Us
Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program
Location: Eisenhower Army Medical Center, 2nd Floor
Monday–Friday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET
Phone: 706-787-1859
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