Residency

The goal of the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program at Stanford University is to produce orthopaedic surgeons who are technically competent, interested in the overall well-being of their patients, and knowledgeable of the literature in the field of orthopaedic surgery. In addition, we aim to develop interest in solving clinical and basic science problems in the field of orthopaedic surgery and have our residents become leaders in the field.

To accomplish this, resident learning is stimulated by contact with patients and with questions and guidance from attending faculty members. Residents are required to give seminars in basic science and to produce evidence of some creative endeavor, either a paper on a basic science subject or a clinical project, by the end of their training period. They will develop patterns of lifelong learning about the field of orthopaedic surgery as well as an interest in making contributions to this field of knowledge.

The Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program is a five-year comprehensive program. In the PGY-1 year, the resident partakes in a surgical internship consisting of 24 weeks in orthopaedic surgery and 28 weeks in various disciplines including anesthesiology, general surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, surgical intensive care, emergency medicine, and vascular surgery. (Visit the Department of Surgery's Residency Website for details.)

The PGY-2 and PGY-3 years comprise the junior residency, with rotations at Stanford Hospital & Clinics (SUH), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC). The SUH rotations provide dedicated and in-depth experience to traumatology, adult reconstruction, sports medicine, upper extremity surgery (including hand surgery), foot and ankle surgery, and pediatric orthopaedics. Rotations at SCVMC provide the resident with broad exposure to traumatology, adult reconstruction, pediatric orthopaedics, spine, and sports medicine.

The PGY-4 year is completely a subspecialty year, with rotations in adult reconstructive surgery, pediatric orthopaedics, tumor, spine, and upper extremity surgery at SUH and Packard. The PGY-4 takes on graduated responsibility by taking chief call along with the chief residents in preparation for the PGY-5 year.

The PGY-5 year is a chief resident year with rotations at SUH, VAPAHCS, and SCVMC. The chief resident endeavors to fulfill the role of "junior faculty" with supervision of the attending faculty and is involved in the decision making for patient care, surgical planning, and administrative duties for the various rotations. During the course of the residency, dedicated research time is provided to pursue scientific research endeavors.

To Apply:

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery uses the ERAS application process and does not accept applications by mail. We have seven PGY-1 positions available each year through the match and accept the ERAS application package with no additional materials required (include three letters of recommendation); the deadline to submit this year's application is October 15, 2015. For more specific details about the ERAS process, contact the Dean's Office of your graduating medical school or visit their website.

For more information, please contact:

Karen Denny
Residency Coordinator
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
300 Pasteur Drive, Room R144
Stanford, CA 94305-5341
Office: (650) 721-7638
Fax: (650) 498-6899
kdenny@stanford.edu

Raffi Avedian, MD

Residency Director