Curriculum

The orthopedic curriculum at Rush features a yearlong intern skills curriculum, dedicated surgical training, and over 150 interactive conferences that all residents attend annually. Rush is home to world-class orthopedic surgeons who are leaders within their respective fields. Other surgeons travel great distances to hear many of them speak, whereas the residency has the benefit of frequent educational experiences with these same leaders.

Educational Conferences

Didactics

Lectures are given and moderated by faculty each Monday evening (5:30 PM to 7:30 PM) on a wide range of core orthopedic topics. The curriculum features 100 topics that rotate on a bi-annual basis.

Grand Rounds

Every Wednesday morning faculty and guest speakers present on the foundational principles and hot topics in orthopaedics. Residents also present educational case-based presentations under the sponsorship of a faculty member.

Morbidity and Mortality

Each month the faculty, fellows, and residents gather to discuss and learn from challenging cases of the previous month.

Subspecialty Conferences

Faculty in each subspecialty host dedicated conferences each week for residents. Conferences range from interactive lectures to case-based discussions and journal clubs.

Journal Club

Each month a faculty member hosts the residents to discuss and critically appraise recent literature from leading orthopedic journals, such as the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, as well as major subspecialty journals.

Morning Intake

Residents gather each morning to discuss, sign out, and learn from the call cases that came in overnight and the day prior.

Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Conference

Dr. Monica Kogan, a pediatric fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and Residency Program Director, leads an interactive conference each month on important topics in pediatric orthopedic surgery.

Fracture Conference

Each month a resident and member of the faculty lead the group through cases and didactics focused on specific types of fractures. This is an interactive learning opportunity for residents to learn about workup and management of various fractures through real cases and discussion with faculty.

Surgical Skills Education

Cadaveric Anatomy & Arthroscopy Labs, Surgical Simulators

• For the first 2 months of the year, residents partake in weekly cadaveric wet lab anatomy dissections where surgical approaches to all major parts of the body are practiced and learned.
• 4 Cadaveric Arthroscopy labs spread out throughout the year with the same arthroscopic equipment used in our live ORs. Residents learn portal placement, enhance their arthroscopic triangulation skills, and practice various procedures with cutting-edge implants available
• 24/7 access to two state-of-the-art surgical simulators and a full arthroscopy tower with associated Fundamentals of Arthroscopy Surgery Training (FAST) workstation. These simulators provide real-time feedback that residents can use to enhance their surgical skills in cases such as arthroscopy and fracture fixation.

Additional Highlights

Intern Skills

Intern skills include a yearlong curriculum with sessions occurring weekly. The focus of intern skills is to build a solid foundation around the core principles of orthopedic surgery. Basic topics include reading radiographs and advanced imaging, basics of fracture management, and skill workshops on power tools, suturing, knot tying, splinting, and casting. As the year progresses, the curriculum focuses on more advanced topics such as principles of internal fixation, plates and screws, surgical approaches, pediatric fractures, and introduction to arthroscopy. Hands-on cadaveric labs are spread throughout the year focusing on surgical techniques and implants such as intramedullary nails, plates and screws, and arthroplasty. Beyond having this dedicated time to learn the basics of orthopedics, intern skills are an important time for the interns to regroup, connect with each other, and gain advice from each other about rotations and experiences outside of residency. Intern Skills is led by a PGY3. 

National Courses and Conferences

Funding is provided by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery for residents to attend several different conferences throughout their training.

AO Trauma Basic Techniques Conference

All 2nd year residents are sent this extensive hands-on course on trauma principles. The conference is a combination of lectures and saw bone labs led by national leaders in trauma surgery.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS) Annual Meeting

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS) Annual Meeting is the largest orthopedic meeting in the world covering all subspecialties. All 5th year residents as well as residents presenting podium presentations attend the annual meeting each year. The meeting features world-class research in orthopedics as well as a full day of lectures dedicated to residents. The day covers topics on business practices such as contract negotiation, malpractice insurance, billing and coding, finding your first job, and marketing.

Chicago Musculoskeletal Tumor Review Course

All 3rd year residents attend a 3-day extensive orthopedic oncology review course alongside other Chicagoland Residency programs. This course is fully funded and aimed to improve understanding within the field and to better prepare residents for the annual in-training examination

Residents of all years are encouraged to attend additional courses. Residents receive funding from both Graduate Medical Education at Rush University Medical Center as well as from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery to attend. One of the benefits of being located in Chicago is the proximity of Rush to the AAOS headquarters in Rosemont, IL. Orthopedic residents at Rush have attended dozens of different courses at the AAOS headquarters and at other locations nationally to enhance their orthopedic education.

Research

Research opportunities are one of the strengths of the orthopedic surgery program at Rush. Most attendings at Rush have dedicated Research Fellows to assist with all aspects of research from data collection to statistics and submission. Residents have a dedicated 10-week block during their 3rd year to work specifically on research endeavors. There is a significant amount of research projects being conducted at Rush with ample opportunities for residents to get involved in research in all subspecialty fields. Residents that have their research accepted as oral presentations at one of the major orthopedic surgery society meetings (e.g. AAOS, AOSSM, AAHKS, AOFAS, ASSH, POSNA) are funded to attend and present their work by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Visiting Professors & Thesis Day

Dr. Gunnar Andersson Distinguished Lecture Series

Each year in honor of Chair Emeritus, Dr. Gunnar Andersson, the residents select and invite a distinguished expert in the field of orthopedic surgery to share their expertise with our residents, faculty, and fellows for an interactive educational day of lectures and case discussions. For more information about the history of the lectureship please see the 9th Annual Dr. Gunnar Andersson Guest Lecture program from 2019. Previous honored guests include:

Senior Thesis Day

Senior Thesis Day is a celebratory event to honor our graduating fifth-year residents. Graduating residents present their most impactful research over their 5 years of residency. A distinguished member of the orthopedic community is also invited to share their expertise and expertise in our celebration. The commemorative day is capped off with a congratulatory dinner for all residents, faculty, fellows, family, and friends. For a full list of previously honored guests please see the 31st Annual Thesis Day Program from 2019. Most recently distinguished guests include: