The Duke Orthopaedic PA Residency Program is committed to providing residents with an outstanding didactic and clinical experience, challenging each resident to grow as an individual and as a practitioner. Through this training, residents will be prepared to provide exceptional patient care during a career as an orthopaedic physician assistant.
Didactic curriculum
The didactic curriculum will be delivered on a continuous basis throughout the 12-month program. Each clinical rotation has a didactic phase. Additionally, residents will attend the basic science course along with orthopaedic residents.
Weekly conferences:
- Specialty lectures
- Journal clubs
- Seminars
- Grand rounds
- Radiology conference
Clinical curriculum
The clinical curriculum allows residents to function as first-year (PGY1) physician orthopaedic residents. Resident duties include:
- History and physical examinations
- Writing patient orders
- Making rounds and recording notes in the patient chart
- Examining patients in the ER
- Ordering diagnostic test
- Surgical first assisting
Residents will develop skills in fracture reduction, splinting and casting. Extensive exposure to the clinic will give residents the opportunity to develop physical exam skills and learn how to create treatment plans. Additionally, residents are assigned first-call responsibilities with appropriate supervision at all times. Night and weekend call will be assigned on a rotating basis.
Clinical rotations
- Foot and ankle
- General orthopaedics
- Hand and upper extremity
- Pediatrics
- Spine operative and nonoperative
- Sports medicine
- Total joint replacement
- Trauma
- Elective rotation
Compensation and benefits
- Stipend of $45,000
- Two weeks vacation
- Medical, dental, and basic life insurance
- Professional liability insurance
- Two lab coats
Resident handbook
Download our PA resident’s handbook (PDF) for additional details.
Contact us
If you have questions about the PA Orthopaedic Surgical Residency Program, please contact:
Ryan D. Clement, PA-C, Director
Phone: 919-470-7162
Email: ryan.d.clement@dm.duke.edu