Residency Program | Orthopaedics | UC Davis Health

At UC Davis, we believe residents learn best by doing. From the beginning of training, residents are active participants in patient care and surgery, with increasing responsibility based on demonstrated ability. Faculty provide close mentorship while encouraging residents to develop the judgment, technical skills and confidence needed for independent practice.

Our goal is to graduate highly competent orthopaedic surgeons who combine outstanding clinical skills with scientific curiosity, professionalism and compassionate patient care. Residents learn to critically evaluate new research, apply evidence-based medicine and become lifelong learners.

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Experience Drives Excellence

A cornerstone of our educational philosophy is providing residents with exceptional clinical experience. Through high case volumes, exposure to complex pathology and training at a Level I Trauma Center, residents develop the surgical skills, critical thinking and confidence necessary to become outstanding orthopaedic surgeons.

Diverse Clinical Exposure

Residents care for one of California's most diverse patient populations across every major orthopaedic subspecialty, including trauma, sports medicine, spine, pediatric orthopaedics, adult reconstruction, hand, foot and ankle, oncology and microsurgery.

Outstanding Faculty Mentorship

Our faculty are nationally recognized educators and subspecialists committed to resident teaching. They serve as mentors, role models and career advisors throughout residency.

Research That Matters

Residents participate in clinical and basic science research with access to the Lawrence J. Ellison Musculoskeletal Research Center, advanced laboratories and dedicated research faculty. Those interested in academic careers may apply for our six-year research track.

Residents rotate every three months through each orthopaedic subspecialty while building progressively greater independence in patient care and surgery. Training begins with a broad surgical foundation and advances to leadership of multidisciplinary clinical teams.

PGY-1

Build a strong surgical foundation through rotations in orthopaedics, trauma surgery, anesthesia and pain management, emergency medicine, radiology, burn surgery, surgical critical care and pediatric orthopaedics while developing essential surgical skills.

PGY-2

Develop core orthopaedic knowledge while managing inpatient and outpatient care, emergency consultations and foundational operative techniques.

PGY-3

Expand operative experience across spine, trauma, pediatric orthopaedics, adult reconstruction and foot and ankle surgery while taking a larger role in patient management.

PGY-4

Transition into senior leadership by supervising junior residents, leading patient care decisions and performing increasingly complex procedures.

PGY-5

Serve as chief resident, overseeing clinical services, coordinating resident teams and functioning as primary surgeon on complex operative cases, as well as the opportunity to complete an elective international rotation.

Residents perform approximately 1,800–2,100 surgical cases during training, gaining experience across every major orthopaedic subspecialty.

• Foot and Ankle
• Hand Surgery
• Joint Reconstruction for Hip and Knee
• Musculoskeletal Oncology
• Pediatrics
• Spine
• Sports Medicine
• Trauma

Research is integrated throughout residency. Residents collaborate with nationally recognized investigators in basic science, translational and clinical research and are encouraged to present at national meetings and publish in peer-reviewed journals.

One resident per class matches into a dedicated six-year research track, which includes an additional year of protected research time between the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years. Residents in this pathway often pursue advanced investigative projects, national presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.

All residents are encouraged to participate in scholarly activity throughout training and receive mentorship in:

• Clinical outcomes research
• Basic science investigation
• Biomechanics
• Health disparities research
• Quality improvement
• Medical education research

Training and rotations at these institutions exposes residents to complex tertiary referral cases, pediatric orthopaedic disorders, high-volume trauma, elective reconstruction, and community-based orthopaedic practice.

Rotations at Shriners Children's provide extensive experience caring for children with congenital, neuromuscular, and acquired musculoskeletal disorders. The Kaiser rotation offers broad exposure to adult reconstruction and general orthopaedics within an integrated healthcare system.

UC Davis Medical Center
Level 1 Trauma Center and academic medical center.

Shriners Children's Northern California
Exceptional pediatric orthopaedic experience.

Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento
High-volume adult reconstruction and community orthopaedics.

Residents participate in a structured educational curriculum that includes:

Comprehensive two-year core curriculum

• Access to virtual reality training
• Board preparation sessions
• Cadaver and surgical skills labs
• Daily fracture/triage conference
• Global education opportunities through the Alumni Society 
• Journal clubs
• Morbidity and Mortality conferences
• Quality improvement conferences
• Weekly Grand Rounds
• Weekly subspecialty conferences

The UC Women of Ortho Leadership Summit is a multi-campus initiative that brings together orthopaedic surgeons, trainees, researchers, and leaders from across the University of California system. The annual meeting fosters collaboration, mentorship, and leadership development with a shared goal of advancing women in orthopaedic surgery and improving equity across the specialty.

Hosted on a rotating basis among UC institutions, the summit provides a national platform for professional development, peer networking, and the exchange of ideas that strengthen academic orthopaedics. The program emphasizes open dialogue, career advancement strategies, and building a supportive community for current and future leaders in the field.

The UC Davis Health Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is proud to be actively contributing to this growing initiative. 

Learn more about the next annual meeting at UCLA

Our faculty are internationally recognized surgeons, educators, and researchers who are deeply committed to resident education and professional development.

We are committed to creating a welcoming, supportive learning environment where residents from all backgrounds can thrive. Our faculty actively mentor women and trainees from groups underrepresented in medicine while fostering a culture built on respect, collaboration and inclusion. 

The UC Davis Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program is supported by an active and engaged alumni community through the Lipscomb-Chapman Orthopaedic Alumni Society (LCOAS). LCOAS plays an important role in strengthening connections between current residents, faculty, fellows, and graduates across the country.

Through mentorship, networking, philanthropy and educational support, LCOAS fosters lifelong connections within the UC Davis orthopaedic community while helping advance the training and professional development of our residents. Each year, the society also sponsors one resident to participate in a global orthopaedic education experience, providing an opportunity to expand their clinical skills, gain exposure to international health care systems, and serve patients in resource-limited settings.

Learn more about the LCOAS Alumni Society