Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Training Program Website

TAMPA, FL (June 11, 2007) — The University of South Florida will recruit immediately for a new residency training program in orthopedic surgery, the national accrediting body has ruled. The decision brings orthopedic residency training back to Tampa Bay after 15 years.

“This represents the Tampa Bay region and USF Health deciding to create a remarkable collaboration and become a national leader in health care,” said Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, USF’s vice president for USF Health and dean of the college of medicine.

“It’s an unprecedented level of support by 8 hospitals and 40 surgeons—a stunning collaboration.

“It shows how USF Health can be the unifier as we move to the forefront in advanced health care and education,” Dr. Klasko said. “Bringing world class leaders in obstetrics, cardiology, public health, and now orthopedics, is changing the dynamics for health in this region.”

Dr. Robert Pedowitz

In the Fall of 2006, Dr. Klasko recruited Robert Pedowitz, MD, PhD, from San Diego as chair of USF’s new Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Since then, Dr. Pedowitz worked with program director Doug Letson, MD, to create an alliance of 40 surgeons and 8 hospitals focused on applying for, and receiving, the orthopedic residency.

Dr. Douglas Letson

“I’m impressed by the way the leaders of the key organizations stepped up to support this program,” Dr. Pedowitz said. “These include the USF Board of Trustees and its chair, Rhea Law, as well as President Judy Genshaft.

“This never would have happened without that level of support.”

***Spelling note: The formal spelling of orthopedic includes an “a” when referencing the department (i.e. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery) or when referring to a formal review committee. All other references are considered informal, according to AP Stylebook.

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–FACT SHEET–
NEW ORTHOPEDIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM, USF HEALTH

– On June 9, 2007, the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Review Committee (RRC) of the ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) approved the application for a new orthopedic surgery residency training program at the University of South Florida.

– Doug Letson, MD (Associate Professor) is the Program Director for the USF Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Training Program. The USF Health Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is led by Robert Pedowitz, MD, PhD (Professor and Chair).

– Accreditation by the ACGME allows the USF Health program to immediately recruit qualified candidates to fill the first and second post-graduate years (up to four residents in each class).

– Each subsequent year will involve recruitment of four new residents. In three years the program will reach its full complement of twenty USF Orthopaedic Surgery residents.

– First complete class will graduate in four years (2011).

– Orthopaedic surgery training in the US requires a minimum of five years after graduation from medical school, and most trainees undergo fellowship training for an additional year after residency. There are several fellowship programs in the Tampa Bay region, but not a residency program.

– USF serves as the primary training site for the new program, with a broad collaboration of multiple affiliated training sites:

The James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital
University Community Hospital
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Watson Clinic
Moffitt Cancer Center
Shriners Hospital for Children
All Children’s Hospital
Tampa General Hospital, including trauma training at its Level 1 trauma center, in collaboration with Florida Orthopedic Institute, the largest private group of orthopedic surgeons.

– In addition, USF Health offers collaboration with other health professions, including physical therapy, nursing, athletic training and public health.

-About USF Health-
USF Health is a partnership of the University of South Florida’s colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health; the schools of biomedical sciences and physical therapy & rehabilitation sciences; and the USF Physicians Group. It is a partnership dedicated to the promise of creating a new model of health and health care. One of the nation’s top 63 public research universities as designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, USF received more than $310 million in research contracts and grants last year.