University of Rochester Medical Center Program

Orthopaedic Surgery Analyst Verified · Apr 20, 2023

University of Rochester Medical Center Program

University of Rochester Medical Center Program is a residency program specializing in Orthopaedic Surgery, located in Rochester, New York, directed by Susan McDowell, MD and coordinated by Bonnie Schuster. The program accepts applications through September 28, 2027 and holds an accreditation status of Continued. International Medical Graduates interested in this program may contact the program coordinator directly at [email protected] or (585) 275-1395. 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

This is a high-volume, tertiary academic orthopaedic program built around a mandatory thesis requirement, dedicated senior research time, and a Center for Musculoskeletal Research that has consistently ranked among top NIH-funded orthopaedic departments nationally. Clinical training spans Strong Memorial, Golisano Children's Hospital, and Highland Hospital (a community-based site for general orthopaedics and geriatric fractures), giving residents exposure across all 12 subspecialties with substantial surgical volume (~19,800 procedures/year). The program offers a distinct six-year combined research track (one year in the lab as a designated PGY-1/2-to-3 pathway) alongside the standard five-year categorical track, and its graduates have gone on to chair departments and lead national orthopaedic societies, reflecting a leadership- and academic-medicine-oriented culture. The department explicitly values resident research productivity (with formal thesis defense at the R. Plato Schwartz Lectureship) and national society presentation, alongside broad subspecialty competency before fellowship choice.

Who it fits

An applicant with a substantive orthopaedic or musculoskeletal research record (ideally including bench, translational, or biomechanics work), aspirations toward academic surgery or subspecialty fellowship leadership, and demonstrated interest in a structured thesis-driven training environment.

Research intensity

Central - a formal thesis is required of every resident, dedicated research time is built into PGY-3, and the department operates a distinct NIH-funded research center and a six-year combined research track.

Career orientation

Mixed - Academic Medicine, Fellowship

Important

The program states it deliberately seeks a diverse group of residents whose backgrounds and beliefs provide richness of varied experiences, while expecting residents to respect the autonomy and value systems of patients and colleagues; it also requires a minimum of three letters of recommendation and notes that a car for transportation is required for the residency.

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