PGY1 Skills Month

The PGY1 surgical skills month is a highlight of the intern year. This highly recognized month allows our interns to participate in a hands-on focused surgical skill development education and training. In addition, it allows a one-on-one feedback from dedicated faculty members, dedicated practice and use assessment, and evaluative methods to provide objective feedback for our resident's development.

The curriculum and other logistics of skills month has been published in several formats.

PGY2 Surgical Skills Week

The PGY2 Surgical Skills week was introduced in May of 2021. Building off of our intern surgical skills month, this week-long curriculum is dedicated to preparing our rising midlevel residents for independence in their PGY3 year. A hands-on curriculum is completed focusing on achieving independence in joint arthroplasty, upper and lower extremity trauma procedures along with increasing proficiency in joint arthroplasty. Modules utilizing both sawbones and cadavers allowed for familiarity with implants, surgical approaches and time for dedicated practice. Assessments are performed to allow for confident progression to the PGY3 year.

Download PGY2 Surgical Skills week calendar

Arthroscopy Curriculum

During the Sports Medicine Rotation, the PGY2, PGY4 and PGY5 residents have dedicated time once per week to complete a formal arthroscopy curriculum in the Arthroscopy Lab.

The lab is equipped with two fully functioning arthroscopy towers to perform arthroscopic skills on cadaveric specimens. Formal cadaveric modules organized during the Sports Medicine Rotation include ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, shoulder labral repair, ankle arthroscopy, and ankle ligament repair/reconstruction. Other techniques, including open and arthroscopic elbow procedures and hip arthroscopy, are included as elective modules in accordance with the interest of the participating residents. Additionally, the lab includes the VirtaMed ArthroS simulator with Fundamentals of Arthroscopy Training (FAST) modules as well as dedicated shoulder and knee arthroscopy modules. These modules aid allow both junior and senior residents to become proficient on basic arthroscopy tasks such as triangulation, maintenance of horizon, and efficiency of movement while allowing residents to track their progress over time using the VirtaMed software.