Welcome

Program Overview

The Tripler Army Medical Center Orthopaedic Surgery Residency is uniquely located in Honolulu, Hawaii and is the primary referral center for the Pacific Rim including Korea, Japan, Guam, and the Philippines.  Our residents provide orthopaedic care to a diverse population of Tricare/VA Beneficiaries and civilian patients at both our primary hospital, Tripler Army Medical Center, and on-island civilian partnerships with The Queen’s Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, Shriners Hospital for Children, and Hawaii Pacific Health. 

Our faculty include military and civilian subspecialists with fellowship training at world renowned programs that have made Hawaii their home and dedicated their careers to teaching. Ample mentorship opportunities are provided that have enabled our residents to seek fellowship and career advancement after graduation.

Our three residents per year fully embrace the work hard, play hard mentality with a productive research program, robust case volume and variety, and the ability and time to enjoy the mountains and beaches in Hawaii. 

Welcome Letter from Current Program Director

Aloha,

Thank you for your interest in our program. Since 1963, the Tripler Army Medical Center Orthopaedic Surgery Residency has been training talented young men and women to serve our nation’s finest. Located on the beautiful island of Oahu in the Hawaiian archipelago, Tripler Army Medical Center is a 450-bed “all-service” hospital, serving active-duty Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, dependents, retirees and VA beneficiaries. 

Our program provides its residents a broad exposure to all sub-specialties in Orthopaedics in an academically-oriented collegial environment. Each year we graduate three army officers who are technically competent and compassionate surgeons, fully capable of independent practice whether deployed in austere environments or at a military treatment facility. 

We look forward to your rotation with us in sunny Honolulu, Hawaii.

Visiting Students

Overview

The TAMC Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program offers three Active-Duty Army Residency spots per year through the Medical Operational Data System (MODS) Application system. Our program includes a total of 15 residents and is limited to a 5-year program. 

Each year the application window extends from May to October and is limited to current Active-Duty Service members.

Rotations 

Interested students are encouraged to complete a 4-week audition rotation between June and August of the application year. Abbreviated rotations are offered on a case-by case basis. 

Rotating students will typically spend 2 weeks on a service and gain exposure in both the clinic and operating room and provided an opportunity to present a 10–15-minute presentation on the topic of their choice at the conclusion.

Typical Rotation Day

M-Tu-W-F

0600-0645 Rounding

0700-0730 Morning Report (Tuesday Journal Review)

0730-1600 Surgery/Clinic

1600-0600 Call (Typically 1-2 times weekly)

Thursday

0600-645 Rounding and sign out to PA holding pager

0700-0730 Morning Report

0730-1130 Academics

1130-1500 Protected Research

1500-1600 Resident Sports

Saturday and Sunday 

No mandatory activities for medical students 

Interviews

Applicants are encouraged to interview during audition rotations, scheduled once monthly by the program coordinator.

In-person interviews are offered to applicants on abbreviated rotations or travelling to the island during interview season.

All applicants will be offered an interview on our virtual interview day (please contact Ms. Johnson, [email protected], for date and times)

All requests for clerkship are via the GME website at Tripler Graduate Medical Education. All requests for clerkship are via the GME website at Tripler Graduate Medical Education. 

To contact the program:

[email protected]