University of California Davis Health Program

Orthopaedic Surgery Analyst Verified · Apr 20, 2023

University of California Davis Health Program

University of California Davis Health Program is a residency program specializing in Orthopaedic Surgery, located in Sacramento, California, directed by Gillian Soles, MD and coordinated by Maggie Allen. The program accepts applications through November 15, 2026 and holds an accreditation status of Continued. International Medical Graduates interested in this program may contact the program coordinator directly at [email protected] or 916-734-4025 . IMGPrep analysts have verified and compiled this program’s IMG acceptance rate, USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 score requirements, Visa Sponsorship Policy, graduation year cutoff, and ECFMG certificate requirements — available to IMGPrep subscribers.

Program Identity & Fit

UC Davis is a university-affiliated academic orthopaedic surgery program anchored at a Level I trauma center, offering high case volume (1,800-2,100 cases) and progressive surgical autonomy across every major subspecialty. The program blends tertiary academic complexity with community and pediatric exposure through its Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento and Shriners Children's Northern California rotations, giving residents a mix of high-acuity trauma, reconstructive, and pediatric musculoskeletal experience. Research is structurally embedded via the Lawrence J. Ellison Musculoskeletal Research Center and a dedicated six-year research track offering protected research time between PGY-2 and PGY-3, though most residents pursue research alongside clinical training rather than as a mandatory academic pipeline. The program explicitly values collaborative culture, mentorship, inclusive excellence, and graduates who pursue both competitive fellowships and community or academic careers, with an active alumni society (LCOAS) reinforcing long-term professional ties.

Who it fits

An applicant drawn to high-volume trauma and broad subspecialty exposure who wants meaningful research opportunity without committing to a mandatory academic research pathway, and who values a tight-knit, mentorship-driven program culture over a purely research-first identity.

Research intensity

Moderate - research is integrated and encouraged for all residents, with a competitive six-year track for those seeking dedicated protected research time, but it is not positioned as the program's central identity.

Career orientation

Mixed - Fellowship, Academic Medicine, Community Practice

Important

The program notes active participation of USAF-sponsored residents training alongside civilian residents, reflecting an established military pathway within the program.

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