Program Overview

Introduction to the Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program

The Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program at the UMass Chan T.H. Chan School of Medicine has a proud tradition of training outstanding orthopedic clinicians and leaders for over forty years. The program is fully accredited by the Residency Review Committee and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Program Overview

• The program has five residents per year, with four accepted into traditional five-year positions and one accepted into a six-year position, which includes a year of research following internship.
• There are two separate National Residency Match Program numbers.
• The intern year includes six months of orthopedics, along with time spent on general surgery, trauma surgery, plastic surgery, vascular surgery, one surgical intensive care month, and a month on the medical co-management service.
• The four years of orthopedic training are comprehensive, with exposure to all orthopedic subspecialties.
• All training is completed at UMASS Memorial Health, the clinical partner.

Research and Education

• All residents are expected to complete a comprehensive publication-quality research project as a requirement for graduation.
• A faculty committee guides this process, starting in the PGY-2 year.
• Residents are encouraged to present their research and are given the necessary time-off and financial support.
• The educational program consists of a two-year rotating didactic schedule, with protected time on Friday mornings, as well as daily trauma conferences, journal clubs, indication conferences, grand rounds, and morbidity and mortality conferences.
• Junior residents attend the AO Basic Course, while senior residents attend the Academy meeting and Board review courses.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential components of the missions of the UMass Chan T.H. Chan School of Medicine and UMASS Memorial Health.
• The UMASS Department of Orthopedics and Physical Rehabilitation and the UMASS Orthopedic Residency are committed to strengthening the department and residency through this mission.

Leadership

• The program is led by Dr. Michael Stauff, Chair of the Department of Orthopedics and Physical Rehabilitation, and Dr. Nicola A. DeAngelis, Director of the Orthopedic Residency Program.
• The department has seen tremendous growth under the guidance of previous chairs, including Dr. David Ayers, who served from 2003 to 2022.

Location and Clinical Partner

• The program is based at UMASS Memorial Health, the dominant healthcare system in Central Massachusetts, which includes a Level I trauma center, a children's medical center, three main campuses, and an ambulatory surgery center.
• The clinical partner provides a comprehensive and diverse clinical experience for residents.