Orthopaedic Residency

Excellence in patient care, research, and education is the overall goal of the Department of Orthopaedics at The Ohio State University. The residency training is committed to a process of maturation in the pursuit of knowledge, and the development of intellectual capacity leading to a life-long commitment to the fundamentals of a career in orthopaedic surgery. Exposure to all ortho specialties on both the junior and senior level allows the resident to explore the subspecialties of Orthopaedics. This experience is not exclusive but is well blended with general orthopaedics providing a more global experience. Research is expected and encouraged and support is provided by both a medical editor and a grant writing specialist. The resident participates in didactic educational conferences that incorporate case-based learning. Clinical teaching conferences also occur regularly on every service. To supplement these educational conferences, substantial educational resources are also available electronically, for all specialties. Periodic testing evaluates the progress status of the resident's educational experience.

The Department of Orthopaedics at The Ohio State University is committed to a Teaching program that includes both a basic science and a clinical curriculum that allows the resident participants to be involved with over 50 orthopaedic surgeons. The attendings are based at the University Hospitals and at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The residents are exposed to a wide spectrum clinical environments. The variety of styles in the management of orthopaedic problems, surgical indications, patient/physician relationships, charting/documentation, and billing methods are truly comprehensive

Residents are treated as individuals, are encouraged to develop excellence, and are held accountable for their personal professional development. Finally, they have the great reward of knowing that they are part of an ongoing process of inquiry and discovery. Both resident and faculty mentoring occur on an ongoing basis in order to assist with professional growth. The need for musculoskeletal health and well-being will continue to increase in demand, as our population shifts to an older demographic. We train our residents for life-long learning and continual improvement so they are prepared to enter the ever-changing health care system.

• To graduate residents who are competitive applicants and can work effectively in the practice setting of their choice, whether academic or private practice.
• To graduate surgeons who are capable of practicing competently and independently
• To graduate residents who are well qualified competitive applicants for sub–specialty fellowship education
• To improve faculty teaching skills in order to strengthen the resident’s educational experiences.
• To promote resident well-being
• To improve resident participation in patient safety/quality improvement projects
• To develop resident didactic and case-based education that will develop life-long learning skills that evolve as our healthcare system changes.

House officer salaries 2026 - 2027

• PGY1: $71,171
• PGY2: $73,314
• PGY3: $75,659
• PGY4: $78,251
• PGY5: $80,775

Benefits provided by Department of Orthopaedics

The following benefits are provided to limited medical staff (residents and fellows).

• Three weeks paid vacation
• One week professional leave with pay for attendance at a national or international conference
• Reimbursement for attendance at above conference

Resident travel

The Department of Orthopaedics recognizes the educational value of resident attendance at national conferences and courses. To this end, the department provides one week per year professional leave with pay for each resident. Limited funding is provided for residents to attend conferences and courses that will supplement their educational experience. Residents are permitted to attend the following conferences and courses:

• PGY1: AO or OTA Trauma Course
• PGY2: AANA Arthroscopy Course
• PGY3: Akron Pediatric Review Course
• PGY4: AAOS Annual Meeting
• PGY5: Board Review Course

View HR salaries and benefits

Applications for the Orthopaedic Residency Program are accepted through ERAS only. The Program participates in the National Resident Matching Program. Applications are reviewed by the selection committee and are selected on the basis of their preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Eligible applicants must be:
   
   1. Graduates of medical schools in the United States of America and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
   2. Graduates of colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States of America accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
   3. Graduates of medical schools outside of the United States of America and Canada who have received a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), or have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the Ohio.
   4. Graduates of medical schools outside the United States of America who have completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school.
2. All entering residents must have successfully completed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 (CK & CS) prior to appointment to the limited staff of University Hospital and prior to official appointment to their training program.
3. Applicants must be eligible for either a training certificate or a permanent medical license as granted by the state medical board of Ohio. Prior to appointment into the program, applicants must have either:
   
   1. An acknowledgment letter of receipt of training certificate application
   2. A newly issued or renewed training certificate
   3. Proof of receipt of application for permanent Ohio medical license, or
   4. Permanent Ohio medical license.
4. Applicants must apply for and receive limited staff privileges at OSU Hospital as defined in the OSUH Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules and Regulations. The application will be forwarded to OSU East and the James Cancer Hospital for acceptance/approval. a. Prior to beginning the program the individual must have been granted either: i. Limited Staff Privileges ii. Temporary Limited Staff Privileges.
5. Residents and fellows within graduate medical education training programs must sign the Limited Staff Agreement prior to beginning their resident or fellowship program. This agreement is uniform for all housestaff and is modified and approved annually by the Graduate Medical Education Committee with input from the Resident Advisory Committee. This agreement is updated each spring based on changes in university benefits, medical staff rules/regulations, and ACGME or other accreditation/regulatory requirements.

International Medical Graduate – Additional Requirements

1. Applicants who are non-US citizens must meet one of the following:
   1. Permanent Resident Status: Applicants must have permanent resident status with a work authorization prior to being appointed to a position in a residency or fellowship training program.
   2. J-1 Visa: Applicants to a residency or fellowship program must meet eligibility requirements for a J-1 Visa through the ECFMG Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program. Application for the J-1 visa will be completed either after the match or after a position is offered to the applicant. Eligibility requirements can be found at www.ECFMG.org. A DS-2019 from the ECFMG must be received by the GME Office prior to beginning the program.
   3. H-1B Visa: Applicants may be eligible for an H-1B Visa if they are either:
      1. A medical student at an LCME/AOA accredited US medical school on an F-1 student visa or; 
      2. A trainee in a GME training program at another institution on an H-1B Visa
      Approval to accept a trainee on an H-1B Visa must be received from the GME office prior to a rank list being submitted or a letter of offer being given to an applicant.

In order to be considered for our training program, we require the following:

• Completion and submission of the ERAS common application form and CV
• Personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation from physicians who are acquainted with your work or capabilities
• MSPE
• USMLE or COMLEX scores
• Medical school transcript
• A personal interview

Approximately 75 applicants will be selected for an interview. All interviews will be in-person in Columbus, Ohio. Our program is participating in the AOA CORD Universal Interview Day.

Complete information regarding the interview structure will be sent on 11/17/25, to all who are offered an interview.

Interview dates:

• December 11, 2026
• January 8, 2027

Learn more at the Orthopaedic Residency Information Network (ORIN). 

The American Medical Association offers an online database of information on graduate medical education programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and combined specialty programs. FREIDA online lists detailed information.

The database includes information on residency program requirements and board certification requirements as well as medical licensure, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and the entry of foreign-born medical graduates to the U.S. To view details of Ohio State's Orthopaedic Residency, visit FREIDA Online and enter our program identifier number: 260-38-21-099.