Athletic Training Orthopaedic Residency

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About the Program

The Duke Orthopaedic Athletic Training Residency Program is a 13-month, post-professional educational experience that begins each July. This comprehensive program offers a structured curriculum, combining didactic and clinical elements to enhance residents' expertise in orthopaedic athletic training.

Residents will engage in various learning opportunities, including journal clubs, grand rounds, anatomy labs, and research, all designed to deepen their knowledge of the specialty. They will also refine their clinical skills in cast application and removal, wound care, durable medical equipment fitting, minor procedures, and radiological interpretation.

Throughout the program, residents will rotate through key orthopedic subspecialties, including non-operative and operative sports, hand and upper extremity, foot and ankle, pediatrics, and trauma. Additionally, there are opportunities for specialized rotations in orthopaedic oncology, adult reconstruction, spine, and leadership/administration. By the end of the program, residents will have gained the experience and expertise necessary to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care and become valuable assets to any healthcare team.

Mission Statement

To advance health together and promote the education and development of athletic trainers as essential members of collaborative orthopaedic practice. We strive to create innovative leaders dedicated to a learning life.

Goals of the Program

1. Expand upon critical thinking skills within the healthcare system
2. Instill a passion for education to create life-long learners
3. Provide quality patient care while considering all social determinants of health
4. Become an asset to any orthopaedic healthcare team
5. Create athletic trainers to be innovative leaders who push boundaries
6. Develop problem-solving skills and determine patient-centered care solutions

Application Requirements

The following are requirements for application to the Duke Athletic Training Residency Program:

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Reference List
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Current BOC certification or certification before the start date
  • Eligible for Licensure in the State of North Carolina
  • NPI Number
  • Master’s degree preferred or one to two years of postgraduate experience

The application period is now open and will close on April 15, 2025. Submitted applications will be reviewed, and phone interviews will begin in early March. In-person interviews for selected candidates will take place in mid-April, with final decisions announced by the end of the month.

Application Process

The application is open and will be accepted through April 15. We will begin reviewing applications on March 1, and phone interviews will start at the beginning of March. We will hold in-person interviews for selected candidates in mid-April. Final decisions will be made and announced at the end of April.

Apply Here (RF-ATCAS)

Questions? atresidency@duke.edu

Program Director

Erica Kelly, MAT, LAT, ATC

Erica Kelly is the Athletic Training Residency Program Director for the Duke University Health System. Erica spearheaded the program after working for Duke Orthopaedics for over 5 years. She primarily works with our Program Medical Director, Dr. Marc Richard, a hand and upper extremity surgeon. Erica is also a section leader for the Hand division and is crucial in managing the Duke Orthopaedic Arringdon Clinic. Before her time at Duke, Erica was a clinic coordinator and outreach athletic trainer, practicing in a collegiate setting. Erica received her Master of Athletic Training degree at Texas Tech University after obtaining her Bachelors in Kinesiology from the University of Virginia.

Erica is the Chair of the ATPPS Annual Conference Committee and a member of NATA. She is also a Certified Orthopaedic Technologist, NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist, and certified Phlebotomy Technician. She has been a Clinical Instructor at Kansas University Medical Center for three years.

Program Core Faculty and Supporting Staff

Emily Schneider MS, LAT, ATC – Core Athletic Training Faculty

Emily has been at Duke Orthopaedics for over a year, working primarily in the foot and ankle division alongside Dr. Samuel Adams and Dr. Mark Easley. She is originally a native of Riverside, California, and attended Tabor College in Kansas, where she graduated with a double major in Athletic Training and Exercise Science. She then attended High Point University and furthered her education by obtaining her Master's in Athletic Training. Before moving to Durham, Emily was a collegiate athletic trainer at Jacksonville University. She has been with Duke Orthopaedics since October 2023.

Kaylee Hogard, MBA, LAT, ATC – Core Athletic Training Faculty

Kaylee is a core faculty member of the Athletic Training Residency Program. Originally from Texas, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Missouri. Kaylee began her career in collegiate athletics at Lincoln Memorial University, where she worked as a graduate assistant while completing her Master of Business Administration.

Since joining Duke Orthopaedics in May 2024, she has worked closely with Dr. Samuel Wellman in the Adult Reconstruction Division, primarily focusing on advanced patient care and rehabilitation.

Marc J. Richard, MD – Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeon, Microvascular Surgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr. Richard is an experienced orthopaedic surgeon specializing in treating elbow, wrist, and hand injuries. He provides expert care for a wide range of conditions, including fractures, sports injuries, and acute trauma, as well as more common issues like tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and trigger fingers.

"What I love most about my work is that, no matter how many patients I see daily, I can make a meaningful difference in their lives. At Duke, we not only have access to cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking research, but we also prioritize exceptional patient care. This unique combination truly sets Duke apart, creating an environment where patients receive the best possible treatment and support.

Erik Carvalho, PT, DPT, MHA

Dr. Carvalho is an experienced administrator with a primary role of providing overall administrative direction and oversight for personnel, procedures, and programs for Duke Orthopaedics Arringdon. He is a physical therapist who is board-certified in orthopaedic physical therapy and has served as faculty and provided administrative support to various physical therapy and occupational therapy residency and fellowship education programs

Apply (RF-ATCAS)