The Orthopedic Training program at St. Joseph's Regional, established in 1959 offers a well-integrated five-year training program. The program provides abundant clinical instruction and a balanced experience in trauma, reconstructive surgery, pediatric orthopedics, spine/scoliosis surgery, oncology, hand surgery, foot and ankle surgery, and sports medicine. The orthopedic surgery residency is affiliated with the Seton Hall University School of Health & Medical Science that was established in 1987.
Our facility includes an Orthopedic/Surgerical floor consisting of 30 rooms, 45 beds and 10 dedicated private orthopedic rooms. The newly renovated floor has internet access, LCD tvs, private rooms and an Orthopedic Bioskills laboratory. Amongst the busiest emergency departments in New Jersey with 95,000 patients/year, our Emergency Room consists of newly renovated Pediatric and Adult Departments with a 12 bed Urgent Care center and dedicated Trauma bays. Our Surgical Intensive Care is an 8-bed unit. Orthopedic Surgery residents provide coverage for athletic events at Seton Hall University, Montclair State University, and local high school football games.
Scheduled conferences and rounds include: Weekly pre- and postoperative conference, Monthly Grand Rounds, Monthly Morbidity/Mortality, Monthly Trauma conference, Weekly attending didactic sessions, Anatomy Lab and a Bioskills Laboratory to review basic surgical technique (fracture fixation, arthroscopy, and reconstruction).
Rotations
A typical resident's rotations begins with the Preorthopedic PGY-1 year which includes rotations in surgery (intensive care, trauma, vascular, plastics/reconstructive surgery), neurology, radiology, emergency room medicine, and an introduction to orthopedics surgery rotation. There is an emphasis on basic patient care skills and rudimentary operative techniques.
The PGY-2 junior residents are instructed with the emphasis on basic surgical skills, orthopedic history and physical exams. Rotations include sports medicine, spine surgery, trauma, and hand surgery. PGY-2 junior residents also participate in a fracture clinic, attend AO Basic Fracture course and Stress inpatient care with increasing responsibility and independence.
The PGY-3 (2nd year orthopedic resident) provides residents with increased responsibility for patient care and participation in a General/Hand clinic Residents continue with rotations in sports medicine, spine surgery and trauma, as well as an introduction to joint arthroplasty. The PGY-3 resident progresses to the four-month pediatric orthopedic rotation at the Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware.
The PGY-4 resident (3rd year orthopedic resident) develops their ability to function as chief of service and continues to develop skills with attention to complex trauma and joint arthroplasty. The PGY-4 resident completes a two month musculoskeletal oncology rotation and a two month foot/ankle rotation.
The PGY-5 resident (4th year orthopedic resident) serves as chief resident in charge of inpatient orthopedic services. The chief resident oversees all outpatient clinics, a private clinic at North Jersey Developmental Center and manages a scoliosis clinic. The PGY-5 resident is expected to be able to perform surgeries independently. Additionally, time is dedicated for board preparation, including protected study time, and review courses.
Call Schedule
Junior residents are on in-house call; PGY-3 take some secondary calls. Senior residents are on home call and all secondary calls. The schedule is as follows:
PGY-1 – Q3-4
PGY-2 – Q4
PGY-3 – Q5
PGY-4 – Q7
All residents are off at least two weekends per month.
Life After Residency: Recent Fellowships
2008
University of Miami Spine Surgery
Wake Forest University Trauma Fellowship
2007
Albert Einstein/Beth Israel Hand Surgery
2006
Hospital for Special Surgery Join Reconstruction
2005
R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma (University of Maryland)
Union Memorial Sports Medicine
2004
University of Arizona Sports Medicine
2003
Southern California Orthopaedic Institute Sports Medicine
Albert Einstein Hand Surgery
For additional information, please see the Seton Hall University School of Health & Medical Science website.
