Academic Programs
Orthopaedic Residency Program
Welcome from the Program Directors
At UC Davis, our mission is to cultivate compassionate, highly skilled, and innovative orthopaedic surgeons who are prepared to meet the challenges of modern medicine. Located in Sacramento, our Level I trauma center provides an unparalleled volume and diversity of clinical cases. UC Davis Health and the Orthopaedic Surgery Department continue to grow in size and strength and have world-class buildings and state-of-the-art technology to complement our program. Residents train alongside world-renowned faculty across all orthopaedic subspecialties, gaining exposure to trauma, joint reconstruction, pediatrics, spine, sports medicine, hand, foot and ankle, and oncology.
We pride ourselves on a culture that blends rigorous academic training with robust, hands-on surgical experience. Our educational philosophy centers on progressive autonomy, mentorship, and commitment to lifelong learning. Beyond the operating room and clinics, our residents are actively involved in leading-edge clinical and translational research, supported by our department’s scientific initiatives.
We value inclusive excellence, resilience, and a deep dedication to patient care. Our tight-knit resident community supports one another in a collaborative environment, ensuring a balanced and enriching training experience.
We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our curriculum, our rotations, and resident life, and our Orthopaedic family.
Meet the Program Directors
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Gillian Soles, MD, ProfessorVice Chair of Education
Gillian Soles is an orthopaedic trauma surgeon and educator dedicated to training the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and medical degree from Tufts University before completing her orthopaedic surgery residency at Boston University. She went on to complete an orthopaedic trauma fellowship at UC Davis Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in hip and pelvis reconstruction and direct anterior total hip replacement under Joel Matta, M.D., at Saint John’s Hospital.
Before returning to UC Davis, Soles served on the faculty at the University of Rochester Medical Center, where she specialized in complex fracture care, including pelvic and acetabular fractures, direct anterior total hip replacement, and revision hip surgery.
Internationally recognized leader in orthopaedic trauma, Soles’ research focuses on improving outcomes for patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures and femoral neck fractures. She is an active member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), serves as AO faculty, and is a member of the AO North America Trauma Education Committee.
She is committed to fostering a supportive, collaborative learning environment that prepares residents to become skilled surgeons, scholars, and leaders in orthopaedic surgery.
Outside of work, Soles enjoys spending time with her husband and their Labrador retriever, Wellie, as well as hiking, alpine and backcountry skiing, and trail running.
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Nicole Friel, MD, Associate ProfessorResidency Program Director
Nicole Friel is an orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon dedicated to resident education and the care of pediatric, adolescent and adult athletes. She serves on the faculty at UC Davis Health and Shriners Children's Northern California, where she specializes in both nonoperative and surgical treatment of sports-related injuries. Her clinical expertise includes arthroscopic and open procedures of the shoulder and knee, with particular interests in shoulder instability, knee ligament reconstruction and cartilage restoration.
Friel earned her medical degree with honors from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. She completed her orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh, where she received the Outstanding Graduating Chief Resident Award, followed by a fellowship in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at Rush University Medical Center.
An accomplished clinician-scientist, Friel has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine. She is passionate about medical education and enjoys mentoring medical students and residents as they develop into skilled, compassionate physicians.
In addition to caring for athletes of all ages, Friel has served as a team physician for high school and collegiate athletic programs and has contributed to the care of professional athletes, including members of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls.
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Danielle Brown, MD, Assistant ProfessorAssociate Residency Program Director
Danielle Brown is an orthopedic oncologist and assistant professor specializing in the surgical treatment of both benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors. This includes bone and soft tissue sarcoma, metastatic bone disease, pediatric bone tumors, as well as benign soft tissue and bone lesions.
Brown earned her medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, and completed her orthopaedic surgery residency at UCLA. She subsequently completed a fellowship in orthopaedic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, one of the nation's leading cancer centers.
A dedicated surgeon-scientist and educator, Brown's academic interests include limb salvage surgery, endoprosthetic reconstruction, musculoskeletal oncology outcomes and resident education. As a former NIH T32 research scholar, she has authored numerous publications advancing the field of orthopaedic oncology and is committed to mentoring the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons.
At UC Davis Health, Brown provides comprehensive, patient-centered care, emphasizing treatment plans that align with each patient's goals and values while addressing the complex physical and emotional challenges associated with cancer care.