PGY Curriculum and Rotations

The residents are considered competent and independent in the practice of orthopedic surgery at the completion of their training in the following rotations:  

Post-graduate year (PGY) I

The residents are part of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery from the time of the match. The first year is a rotating surgical internship with rotations including musculoskeletal radiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), rheumatology, general surgery, and six months of orthopedics. First-year rotations provide broad exposure to those surgical and medicine-based subspecialties that are integral to orthopedic surgery training. During your first year, we also have the PGY 1 residents attend the AO Basic Course through AO Trauma.

PGY II

During the second year, the focus is placed on developing basic operative and diagnostic skills, heavily weighted toward exposure to traumatic and adult orthopedics. 

PGY III

Emphasis is placed on further refining surgical skills with a specific focus on the management of the upper and lower extremities, spine, and sports medicine. An elective rotation and research rotation also occur in the third year. 

PGY IV

This year is considered a senior year due to its exposure in specialized areas of orthopedic surgery, including pediatric orthopedics, trauma, and spine surgery. 

PGY V

With an emphasis on leadership, this year is considered the chief resident year. The resident assumes greater responsibility in the organization of services, teaching, and education in advanced surgical techniques. The year is heavily weighted toward trauma, sports, and adult reconstruction. 

International Rotation Experience

As a PGY V residents have the opportunity to go on an international outreach rotation. This rotation is for one week and occurs on the Denver Health Hand rotation. Currently, we have sites of practice for Trauma in Panama and Peru, with additional opportunities for other locations. We work with the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Touching Hands in Honduras. A Pediatric experience in Guatemala City with The Shalom Foundation. 

PGY IV Research Resident

One of seven residents within each post-graduate year will dedicate an additional year of training to scientific research. Performed between the 3rd and 4th years of training, this position is aimed toward applicants who wish to pursue an academic career in Orthopedics as a clinician-scientist.

• Separate match with a unique identifier
• Research Year between PGY3 and PGY4 clinical training years
• Salary during research year at PGY4 level
• Independent pursuit of research funds is encouraged
• Research immersion January of PGY1 year, toward identifying mentor and project
• Applicants selected to interview will be asked to supply a statement of scientific interests and career goals
• General information on current CU Orthopedics research.

Curriculum

A didactic core curriculum is offered on a two-year rotating cycle, and presented by the faculty or invited lecturers. The curriculum covers the basic science fundamentals of orthopedics, dissection and anatomy, and surgical technique. Grand Rounds are offered monthly, featuring a nationally recognized expert in the field of orthopedic surgery.