[Cindy Thompson]

Not a dumb question at all. As you can see, there have been a few different responses. All of our PGY-5 residents technically have “Chief” status and take on additional responsibilities. Each resident serves as the Administrative Chief for a four-month block, and since everyone is required to do a block with these responsibilities, there isn’t separate “Chief” pay.

Even though our institution does offer additional pay for Chief status, our residents don’t receive it because the role is shared by everyone. At other programs, a Chief resident is often elected by peers or appointed by the program, but that varies by institution. There is not an ACGME or other governing body in Orthopaedics that has a requirement for this.   You will find that some credentialing paperwork asks if they served in a “chief” role.

[Cindy Thompson]

How exciting and well-deserved!  CONGRATULATIONS, Annie!!!

[Cindy Thompson]

Anna,

We utilize a standardized APE form that must be completed and submitted to the GME Office annually, typically by September 30.  This form documents the findings of the PEC, highlights program strengths and areas for improvement, and outlines an action plan to address identified issues. It encompasses key areas including:

Program goals and objectives
Curriculum effectiveness
Board pass rates
Resident/fellow and faculty evaluations
The clinical and educational work environment
Progress on previous action items
Following submission, a review meeting is scheduled with the DIO, Program Director, and Department Chair to discuss APE findings, assess progress on the action plan, and identify areas where institutional support may be beneficial.

Common themes or trends identified across APEs are shared with GMEC and may help guide topics for faculty development sessions, department retreats, or collaborative efforts across programs to address shared challenges, showcase successes, and encourage innovation.

Hope that helps to answer your question.

Cindy

[Cindy Thompson]

Hello Honor!

I have included the link to ERAS for reference but once a document has been assigned to a program, it cannot be withdrawn.  The only exception is to the personal statement.  Hope this helps.  https://students-residents.aamc.org/eras-tools-and-worksheets-residency-applicants/faqs-eras-residency-applicants?topic=myeras-documents

Happy beginning of interview season everyone!!

Cindy

[Cindy Thompson]

As far as I know, it’s a paid position. I’m not 100% sure if it’s ‘required’ to be paid, but I honestly can’t imagine anyone doing it without compensation.  That said, I’m at the airport heading to an ACGME meeting tomorrow and Friday—I’ll ask while I’m there and let you know for sure.

[Cindy Thompson]

Sarah,

DIO refers to the Designated Institutional Official and is a required position within the GME office, not individual programs.

Have a wonderful day!

Cindy

[Cindy Thompson]

Hello Bonnie!

I have had an Adult Reconstruction fellowship for the last 8 years.  To answer your questions:

1. Accreditation:
   Our program is not ACGME-accredited. This decision was made to allow billing for the fellow, which is not permitted under ACGME accreditation. As a result, the majority of our fellowship funding is generated through billable services. We are, however, recognized by the AAHKS Fellowship Recognition Program. You can find more information about this at: https://www.aahks.org/recognition.
2. Funding:
   We have received grant support from Smith & Nephew in the past. However, as you may know, ongoing industry funding is not guaranteed and can vary year to year.
3. Match History:
   We have successfully matched a fellow every year for the past eight years.  For reference, the most recent match statistics for 2025 are as follows:

Participating Programs: 114
Positions Offered: 236
Positions Filled: 198
Vacancies: 38
You can view the full data at: https://www.sfmatch.org/data/3ca047c8-4095-4e28-9aa1-20a7b0f404df/f3227553-031a-421f-995c-7d5bd397ef42.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions.

Cindy

[Cindy Thompson]

Hi Maia!  Hope you are doing well.

Attached, please find the evaluation form we use for the PD of Core Faculty.  While we do not have a form specifically tailored for faculty evaluation of PD, our annual Faculty of Program Evaluation may offer some helpful insights, as it includes questions related to both PD and PM.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need further information.

Have a wondeful day!

Cindy

Attachments:

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[Cindy Thompson]

Tica,

I would either contact the fellowship or have your Chief contact the fellowship and clarify exactly what it is they are requesting.  A program cannot provide a letter of board eligibility, only the ABOS can provide such a letter as a candidate is not considered board eligible until they sit and pass Part I of the ABOS examination.   A program can state that the resident has met all educational requirements or is on track to meet all educational requirements established by the ABOS and has registered to take Part I.   The fellowship should provided clarification on exactly what they are requesting and should be aware that a residency program cannot provide a statement on board eligibility.

Cindy

[Cindy Thompson]

Hi Leslie!  Attached is what we use.

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[Cindy Thompson]

We use E*Value for logging duty hours.  Clinic is a seperate drop down box used when they work in the clinic, so essentially, our residency managment system tracks it.  I can then pull a report showing how much time they spent in clinic or the hospital.  This report is also used when I complete the budget control sheets for CMS.  We do not monitor the number of patients seen but could easily pull a report based on their dictations that would provide that number if needed.

[Cindy Thompson]

Hello Angela!  I know not every program belongs to CORD but I think there is probably enough information available in ORIN to be helpful, assuming that the programs that are part of CORD are updating their information in ORIN.  According to ORIN, there are 63 programs interviewing virtually and 116 programs interviewing in-person.

Hope this helps some.

Cindy

[Cindy Thompson]

Good Morning, Honor!

I have attached a copy of the attestation I have applicants sign.  I email this, along with all the documents that are listed to them.

Have a wonderful day!

Cindy

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[Cindy Thompson]

Hello Ashley!  We also have a simulation lab and VR trainers.  Each subspecialty that utilizes it, mostly sports, has a curriculum they follow when the residents are on rotation.  The residents can also schedule a time to ‘practice’ on their own.

We recently purchased the VR headsets through Precision OS for every resident.  Precision OS has modules and a curriculum already established and meets with the program director as well as any faculty who have an interest for their specialty to customize a curriculum if you’d like.  We were waiting until after OITE to really roll out the VR curriculum so I can’t provide any feedback on it’s utility but based on what I’ve heard/seen, it looks cool.

Cindy

[Cindy Thompson]

Hello Sarah!  As others have stated, this is completely up to each institution as to what they permit.  At my institution, you are not permitted to work from home in the first six months of employment.  After that, your work from home status is at the discretion of the department and program director.   I know that the ACGME does not have a policy on this, in fact, many employed by the ACGME work from home.   I know of institutions where the coordinator works entirely from home and in some cases doesn’t even live in the same state where the program is located.  I also know of an institution that requires you to have a dedicated office space in your home as well, again, it is entirely institution/HR dependent.   Hopefully this provides a little more information for you.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Cindy

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