Orthopaedic Surgery PA Residency

Program Type: Military Medical Center

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Accredited: No

Program Length: 18-months

Required Pre-Requisite Training:

Masters in PA Studies
GRE with combined score of 300 or greater
Minimum 3.0 overall GPA for collegiate-level courses
BLS/ALS certification

Total Approved Complement: 10

Approved per Year: 4

Program Phone Number: 210-916-7269

Program Email: dha.jbsa.brooke-amc.list.saushec-orthopa@health.mil

Program Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Program Description

The U.S. Army/Baylor University Orthopedic Physician Assistant Residency and doctoral program is an 18-month program of subspecialty rotations, formal didactic instruction, and clinical research. This residency prepares Physician Assistants with the knowledge and expertise to provide evidence-based medicine to a full spectrum of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.

The graduates examine, interpret labs and images, diagnose, and develop goal-oriented treatment plans for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. They also first-assist in surgery and manage patients perioperatively. As part of this management, residents perform orthopedic procedures that include but are not limited to: administration of local and regional anesthetics, therapeutic and diagnostic joint injection, musculoskeletal ultrasound, fracture fluoroscopy, fracture reduction and management, wound closure/suturing, graft preparation, complex wound debridement, perioperative wound care, skeletal traction, hardware removal, and external fixation.

Unlike certification programs, our graduates also participate in clinical research and get exposed to research design and methodology. The capstone requirement for the residency is presentation of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved research protocol to a board panel that includes faculty of the residency program and Baylor University. Residents are required to submit a manuscript to a journal and produce a poster for display of their project as part of their requirements.

The development of the Orthopedic Physician Assistant profession in Army Medicine began in response to Medical Corps personnel shortages in both U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Medical Command in the late 1980s. The Office of the Surgeon General approved the program in 1989 and extended it to an 18-month doctoral program in 2007. In FORSCOM, OPAs were specifically utilized to extend Orthopedic Surgeon's capabilities in Combat Support Hospitals and Forward Surgical Teams to increase access to orthopedic care on the battlefield. In MEDCOM, they also improved access to orthopedic care in Army Medical Centers and other Medical Department Activities to include Army Community Hospitals.

This residency is associated with the Army Medical Specialist Corps Long Term Health Education and Training and specialty training board. This message describes application requirements and procedure for LTHET.

Curriculum & Schedules

Includes daily morning report to discuss consults to the orthopaedic service in a Level 1 Trauma Center, weekly academics and subspecialty team specific training on Wednesdays. Monthly journal clubs to discuss high yield and new/developing orthopaedic research. PA led journal club on Thursday mornings. Visiting professor lectures in conjunction with the Orthopaedic Surgeon Residency.

Course Number	Course Title
MCO 6350	Introduction to Orthopaedic Clinical Evaluation and Procedures
MCO 6410	Introduction to Upper Extremity Sports Injury Management
MCO 6411	Introduction to Lower Extremity Sports Injury Management
MCO 6412	Evaluation and Management of Hand and Elbow Disorders
MCO 6413	Evaluation and Management of Foot and Ankle Disorders
MCO 6352	Orthopaedic Evaluation and Management of Spine Disorders
MCO 6353	Evaluation and Management of Neurologic Disorders
MCO 6354	Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Orthopaedic Disorders
MCO 6414	Evaluation and Management of Complex Wounds
MCO 6415	Evaluation of Joint Arthritis and Trauma Managed with Joint Reconstruction
MCO 6416	Musculoskeletal Oncology Evaluation and Management
MCO 6417	Introduction to Evaluation and Management of General Trauma
MCO 6418	Introduction to Evaluation and Management of General Trauma
MCO 6419	Introduction to Critical Care Management
MCO 6420	Advanced Sports Injury Management
MCO 6421	Advanced Evaluation and Management of Orthopaedic Trauma
MCO 6422	Advanced Critical Care Management
MCO 6355	Advanced Orthopaedic Clinical Evaluation and Procedures
MCO 6425	Urgent Orthopaedic Evaluation
MCO 6351	Evidence-Based Orthopaedic Care
MCO 6423	Medical Research Design
MCO 6424	Approaches to Medical Data Collection and Analysis
MCO 6356	Techniques for Medical Research Presentation

The program emphasizes military leadership and healthcare considerations throughout the entirety of the curriculum, to include current concepts in orthopaedic surgery with an additional focus including practicing in austere conditions. Students also attend professional development lectures/seminars instructed by military leaders, and they participate in quarterly service-specific Orthopaedic Department meetings.

Baylor Orientation/ Introduction to Research
Fundamentals of Critical Care Course
Advanced Trauma Life Support

Monthly anatomy and cadaveric laboratories.

Scholarly Opportunities

Each resident completes an individual doctoral research project that is submitted for publication by the end of the residency program and may additionally participate as a co-investigator in program-level research projects. Residents are prepared for this doctoral project through multiple didactic courses that cover evidence-based practice, research design, and statistics. The program culminates with each student presenting their Research Defense to an assessment board consisting of program faculty and Baylor University representatives.

Application Information & Interview Guidance

Joint services, active duty physician assistants interested in applying for the U.S. Army – Baylor University Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Residency Program are encouraged to contact the Program Director or respective service liaison. Applicants must be designated by their respective services to attend this program via Long Term Health Education Training or Duty Under Instruction selection. Applicants must meet all pre- requisite requirements and be accepted into the Baylor Graduate School before matriculation.

Applicants should have a track-record of high clinical performance and leadership. The Board also places high value in independent learning, strong work ethics, and emotional intelligence; all being skills that are essential for success in this advanced program.

Program graduates may take the exam for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Certificate of Added Qualifications in Orthopaedics following the program if desired.

Teaching & Mentoring Opportunities

Ortho PA residents are involved with national level society workshops and facilitate splinting lab for the Interservice PA Program.

Current residents are offered research and leadership mentoring through alumni Ortho PAs.

Contact Us