Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital began formal programs in medical education in the 1930's. From 1950 to 1985, it had its own independent residency program in orthopaedic surgery. At that point, our program merged with the Los Angeles County General Hospital program to form a new program under the direction of the University of Southern California (USC). As a result of the strategic alliance agreement with UCLA, in 1998 we have now formed the Orthopaedic Hospital/UCLA Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery.

Over the last 75 years, we have trained many leaders in orthopaedic surgery. In our strategic alliance with UCLA, we anticipate advancing the stature of program. Our goal is to have the finest and most sought-after orthopaedic residency program in the United States. Combining the resources of both Orthopaedic Hospital and UCLA, we are not far from that goal at this point.

The current Orthopaedic Hospital/UCLA Orthopaedic Residency rotation at Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital and the Luskin Children's Clinic of Orthopaedic Hospital serves as the residents' primary pediatric orthopaedic surgical teaching experience. The residents rotate on 4-month blocks of time during their second year in training. The educational curriculum includes didactic, case-based, independent study, and patient-based learning. As outlined in the residents' educational goals, they gain and apply (in a supervised environment) medical knowledge through reading core textbooks, reviewing the current orthopaedic literature, and engaging in systems-based learning. They are expected communicate their treatment decisions with their supervising physicians at all times, and are held to the highest standards of professionalism. The rotation complies with the Common Duty Hour Standards as required by the ACGME, which accredits all graduate medical education programs in North America.


Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital partipates in training medical students, residents, and fellows from a variety of training programs. We are the primary pediatric orthopaedic surgical experience for the White Memorial Medical Center Family Practice residents as well as the UCLA Family Practice Sports Medicine fellows. Through our joint faculty appointments at the Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, many of our faculty serves as mentors and preceptors for the UCLA 1st, 2nd, and 4th year medical students. Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital is the primary pediatric orthopaedic surgical training site for the UCLA medical students.

In addition, we have provided support for residents in orthopaedic research. Many of them are involved to a variety of degrees, but every year two of the residents spend an entire year devoted to musculoskeletal research.

Fellowships

Fellowships are post-residency programs for additional training in orthopaedic sub-specialities, such as hand surgery, adult reconstruction/joint replacement, spine surgery, pediatric orthopaedics, sports medicine, and foot & ankle surgery. Over the last 60 years, Orthopaedic Hospital has supported fellowships in orthopaedic practice and research. We also support basic science research fellowships for Ph.D. post-doctoral musculoskeletal researchers. Recently, two of our fellowship graduates, Dr. Mauricio Silva and Dr. Benjamin Bengs, joined us as full-time faculty. In addition, Dr. William Oppenheim, who is chief of pediatric orthopaedics at UCLA and Dr. Lewis Zionts, who is a pediatric orthopaedist at the Orthopaedic Hospital Outpatient Medical Center, both had fellowships at Orthopaedic Hospital. Dr. Zionts was chief of pediatric orthopaedics at LAC+USC Medical Center for 20 years before coming back to Orthopaedic Hospital.

Orthopaedic Hospital/UCLA also conducts a Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship. Selected through the ACGME Matching Program, two fellows spend one year enhancing their pediatric-specific orthopaedic surgical knowledge. The fellows are held to an even higher standard than the residents, are given more supervised independence in patient care, and participate in teaching and research.

Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School

The most recent exciting addition to our education programs is the Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School for children from both the inner city and the greater Los Angeles area who have an interest in careers in healthcare. The high school just had its first graduating class in June 2007. We are excited about the potential for these children in a wide variety of healthcare careers including medicine, nursing, research, technology, etc. It is a delight to work with these young people who radiate enthusiasm and interest. Many of them volunteer substantial hours each year at Orthopaedic Hospital to assist us with our patients, as well as to get exposure to the full spectrum of healthcare careers.

School Nurse Symposiums

Orthopaedic Hospital provides educational symposiums and materials to the Los Angeles Unified School District school nurses on a yearly basis, and to other surrounding community school nurses. The symposiums assist in educating school nurses on children's orthopaedic conditions and treatment, and provides preventative measures to lessen injuries during school sports and playground activities.