Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
Introduction
The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at Albany Medical Center offers a five-year residency training program fulfilling requirements leading to eligibility for certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Program Design
The internship year is designed to provide a solid foundation for the study of orthopaedic surgery. Rotations include general surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, surgical and medical ICU, rheumatology, emergency medicine and physical medicine & rehabilitation.
The PGY 2-5 years incorporate increased patient care and surgical responsibilities. Rotations through Albany Medical Center Hospital (AMCH), Samuel S. Stratton Depart-ment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), and two large community hospitals-St. Peter's Hospital and Ellis Hospital-afford exposure to all facets of orthopaedic practice. A total of 250 orthopaedic hospital beds exist for trauma, joint replacement, hand surgery, sports medicine, tumor, foot surgery, pediatrics and spine surgery. Senior residents also spend three months on pediatric rotation at Shriner's Hospital in nearby Springfield, Massachusetts.
All rotations are divided into three-month blocks. Residents receive three weeks of vacation time and one week of conference time per academic year.
Rotations are structured to provide continuity of care by integrating the outpatient, inpatient, and operative experiences during each rotation.
Educational Program
Friday mornings are devoted to resident teaching in anatomy, osteology, pathology, biomechanics, rehabilitation, adult and pediatric reconstructive problems, and fractures. Residents do not have clinical responsibilities during scheduled conferences.
Grand Rounds are held weekly at Albany Medical Center. The individual hospitals have weekly indications conferences and monthly mortality and morbidity conferences discussing their patients. There is a monthly journal club and hand conference.
Each resident is required to complete a clinical or basic science research project. The proposal for the project is due at the beginning of the PGY 3 year. A thesis in the form of a publishable paper is required to complete the program. This paper is presented at the Annual Resident Thesis Day.
Evaluation and Feedback
An evaluation is compiled for each house officer every three months. House officers evaluate the attending staff at the same intervals. Yearly in-training examinations are used to assist in identifying personal strengths and weaknesses.
The best measure of a program's strength is the success of its graduates. AMC alumni go on to pass their orthopaedic boards. Many go on to advanced fellowship training, and several graduates hold prestigious clinical and academic positions. All have gone on to successful careers in orthopaedic surgery.
For Additional Information, Direct Inquiries and Applications to:
Richard Uhl, MD, Program Director
Albany Medical College
Academic Office
1367 Washington Ave., Suite 202
Albany, New York 12206
