Orthopaedic Residency Program
Alfonso Mejia, MD, MPH
Residents receive a diverse exposure to the diagnosis and management of adult orthopaedic pathology at several institutions. These rotations provide an overall balanced experience in areas including Sports, Adult reconstruction, Shoulder and Elbow surgery, Foot and Ankle surgery, and musculoskeletal infections. Residents work in a variety of different settings requiring flexibility and the ability to function efficiently in a variety of hospital systems. The diversity of settings provides residents with a unique opportunity to participate in a number of different cases as well as the opportunity to see alternative procedures, equipment systems, and techniques in managing musculoskeletal pathology. Furthermore, residents receive extensive training in the non-operative management of multiple conditions through comprehensive clinic exposure. The overall experience residents at the University of Illinois at Chicago receive provides an unparalleled development of well-rounded Orthopaedic surgeons.
Our residency program in orthopaedic surgery offers seven positions each year. We rotate at four major institutions in the Chicago area and work with a large number of orthopaedic surgeons in all orthopaedic sub-specialties. Two of these institutions are level one trauma centers. An additional fifth educational site is the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital where our third and fourth year residents receive some of their specialized pediatric instruction. By working in a variety of different settings residents develop flexibility and the ability to function efficiently in a variety of hospital systems and to care for a diverse patient population.
To supplement our residents’ vast surgical and clinical experience, we maintain a rich didactic program. Weekly conferences cover all topics in orthopaedics and include both resident and faculty lectures as well as many guest lecturers. Focus is placed on basic science, clinical, and current trends in orthopaedics, as well as the knowledge domains covered in the yearly orthopaedic in-training exam.
In addition to our educational experience, our residents are able to enjoy the great city of Chicago. Chicago offers everything from classic sporting venues (e.g. Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, and the United Center) to various festivals,
street fairs, theatrical performances, culture events and an array of museums. Most of our residents live within the many neighborhoods throughout the city as well as the surrounding suburbs.
Alfonso Mejia, MD, MPH
University of Illinois
Program Director
For more information on the University of Illinois Orthopaedic Residency, please visit www.uicorthopedics.com
Call Schedule
University of Illinois Hospital
| PGY 2/3 | Q6 | Home Call |
| PGY 4/5 | Q3-4 | Back Up |
Advocate Christ Hospital
| PGY 3 | Q 5-6 | In House |
| PGY 4 | Q6 | In House |
| PGY 5 | Q12 | In House |
Advocate Lutheran Hospital
| PGY 2 | Q4 | In House |
| PGY 3 | Q5 | In House |
| PGY 4 | Q10 | In House |
Weiss Hospital
| PGY 2 | Q3-4 | Home Call |
| PGY 4 | Q4 | Home Call |
| PGY 5 | Q5 | Home Call |
Shriners Hospital for Children
| PGY 3/4 | Q3-4 | In House |
| PGY 4 | Q4 | In House |
Athletic/Event Coverage
Residents have ample opportunity to cover various professional, college, and high school athletic events as well as various other events such as performances and concerts. Our residents frequently have the opportunity to provide medical coverage for musical performances. Past residents have covered artists like Madonna, Motley Crue, and Lionel Richie to name a few. Our residents provide coverage for the UIC Division I Athletes and frequently provide medical coverage for the Joffrey Ballet, WNBA Sky Team, and local high schools.
Didactics
Departmental Conference
Wednesday (Every)
| 7:00 – 8:00 AM | Sports Medicine |
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Attending Lecture |
| 9:00 – 9:45 AM | Resident Lecture 1 |
| 9:45 – 10:30 AM | Resident Lecture 2 |
| 10:30 – 11:00 AM | OITE Questions |
Saturday (Alternating)
The alternating Saturday morning conference is a long‐standing tradition that is attended by Chicago
community orthopaedic surgeons and alumni. It consists of three topic‐specific case‐based lectures that include
review of literature aimed and critical appraisal of the literature for the best evidence based practices to
incorporate into daily clinical practice. The lectures are followed by a vibrant discussion session lead by an
attending moderator and a panel of subspecialists.
| 8:00 – 8:30 AM | Topic Specific Case – Based Resident Talk 1 |
| 8:30 – 9:00 AM | Topic Specific Case – Based Resident Talk 2 |
| 9:00 – 9:30 AM | Topic Specific Case – Based Attending Talk |
| 9:30 – 10:00 AM | Moderator Lead Discussion |
Site Specific Didactics
University of Illinois Hospital
| Monday | 6:30 – 7:00 AM Arthroplasty Journal Club – Chmell Rounds 7:00 – 8:00 AM Indications Conference 8:00 – 8:30 AM Sports Medicine Journal Club |
Advocate Christ Hospital
| Daily | 6:00 – 6:30 AM Intake Rounds |
| Friday | 7:00 – 8:00 AM Orthopaedic Grand Rounds |
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
| Monday | 6:30 – 7:30 AM Fracture Conference |
| Thursday | 7:00 – 8:00 AM Attending Lecture |
| Friday | 6:30 – 7:00 AM Joint Arthroplasty / Sports Medicine Conference |
Weiss Memorial Hospital
| Monday | 6:00 – 6:30 AM Joint Arthroplasty Journal Club 6:30 – 7:00 AM Joint Arthroplasty Indications Conference |
| Thursday | 6:15 – 7:00 AM Sports Medicine Conference |
| Friday | 7:00 – 8:00 AM Spine Conference |
Shriners Hospital for Children
Residents on Shriner’s rotation do not attend Wednesday Departmental Conference
| Monday | 7:00 – 8:00 AM Indication Conference 8:00 – 8:30 AM Gait Lab |
| Tuesday | 7:00 – 8:00 AM Spine Conference |
| Wednesday | 7:00 – 10:00 AM Lectures |
| Thursday | 7:00 – 7:30 AM Chief Rounds 7:30 – 8:00 AM Grand Rounds |
| Friday | 7:00 – 8:00 AM Post‐Op Conference |
ABOS Intern Modules
PGY 1 participate in the ABOS first year skills modules. These provide dedicated, protected teaching
sessions with the program director that emphasize foundational skills necessary for a successful career in
orthopedics. Sessions focus on developing fundamental skills using simulation including but not limited to knot
tying, microsurgery, dissection, etc.
Dr. Asok K. Ray Lecture Series
Dr. Asok Ray a former assistant clinical professor of orthopaedic in UIH department of orthopaedic generously endowed a gift that helps bring world renowned orthopaedic surgeons to the University of Illinois Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Previous speakers have included: Dr. Jorge Orbay, Dr. Frederick Meyer, Dr. Bruce Browner, Dr. Freddie Fu, Dr. Alvin Crawford, Dr. Ann Van Heest, Dr. A. Seth Greenwald, Dr. Harold E.
Kleinert
Courses
| PGY I | Chicago Annual Trauma Symposium UIH Splinting, Casting, and Traction UIH Microsurgery Course |
| PGY II | Chicago Annual Trauma Symposium UIH Splinting, Casting, and Traction AO Basic Course |
| PGY III | Chicago Annual Trauma Symposium UIH Microsurgery Course AANA Basic Arthroscopy Course at Orthopaedic Learning Center |
| PGY IV | Chicago Annual Trauma Symposium AO Advanced Course |
| PGY V | Chicago Annual Trauma Symposium AAOS Annual Meeting Pathology & Oncology Course – Dr. Simon Orthopaedic ABOS Board Review Course (Miller or AAOS) |
Many residents also take advantage of various industry‐sponsored courses throughout their residency training.
Close proximity to AAOS Orthopaedic Learning Center Courses allows residents to easily attend courses held by
the AAOS.
Special Conferences (Yearly)
| Orthotic and Prosthetic Seminar | 3 Sessions |
| Bone and soft tissue tumors | 3 Sessions |
| Orthopaedic & Rheumatology Combined Quarterly Conference |
4 Sessions |
| Cadaver Dissections | 7 Sessions |
| Psychomotor Skills Lecture and Hands on Program |
12 Sessions |
Hospitals
University of Illinois Hospital
Trauma: Level II
Beds: 495
Percent of Training: 40%
Description:
The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System is dedicated to
the mission of Health Equity. By combining our unique combination of clinical care, education, and research to provide high‐value personalized healthcare and improve the overall health of the communities we serve, UI Health promotes healthier communities for a healthier city.
Faculty
| Edward Abraham, MD Professor Residency: University of Illinois Fellowship: University of Sheffield, UK Specialty: Pediatric SurgeryFarid Amirouche, PhD. Professor, Research Director University of Cincinnati, Ohio M.S. in Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering with emphasis on BiomechanicsSamuel Chmell, MD Professor Residency: Loyola University Specialty: Joint ArthroplastyAmir El Shami, MD Assistant Professor Residency: Harvard University Fellowship: University of Illinois Specialty: Sports Medicine (PMR)Benjamin Goldberg, MD Associate Professor Residency: Baylor University Medical Center Fellowship: University of Washington Specialty: Shoulder and ElbowMeldoy Hrubes, MD Assistant Professor Residency: Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital Fellowship: University of Illinois Specialty: Sports Medicine (PMR) |
Yasser Farid, MD, Phd
Assistant Professor
Fellowship: Harvard University
Fellowship: M.D. Anderson ‐ University of Texas
Fellowship: University of Chicago
Specialty: Orthopaedic Oncology / Joint Arthroplasty
Mark Gonzalez, MD, PhD
Professor & Chairman
Residency: University of Illinois
Fellowship: Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery
Fellowship: Ohio State University
Specialty: Hand / Adult ReconstructionMark Hutchinson, MD
Professor
Residency: Michigan State University ‐ Kalamazoo
Fellowship: Kentucky Sports Medicine
Specialty: Sports MedicineAlan League, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Residency: University of Illinois
Fellowship: Union Memorial
Specialty: Foot and AnkleMatthew Marcus, MD
Assistant Professor
Residency: UMDNJ
Fellowship: University of Chicago
Specialty: Sports Medicine – Hip ArthroscopyAlfonso Mejia, MD, MPH
Vice Chairman ‐ Program Director
Associate Professor
Residency: University of Illinois
Fellowship: Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery
Specialty: Hand
Anis Mekhail, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Residency: University of Illinois
Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Specialty: SpineTerry Nicola, MD
Assistant Professor
Residency: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Specialty: Sports Medicine (PMR)Krzysztof Sieminow, MD
Assistant Professor
Residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Fellowship: Rush University Medical Center
Specialty: Spine
Maria Siemionow, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc.
Professor
Residency: Poznan Medical University
Fellowship: Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery
Specialty: Hand, Microsurgery, Transplantation
Advocate Lutheran General
Trauma: Level I
Beds: 638
Percent of Training: 25%
Description:
Lutheran General has been recognized 13 times as one of the 100 Top Hospitals and 15 top major teaching hospitals in the country by Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals: National Benchmarks Study. Lutheran General has been rated by US News & World Report as being one of America’s Best Hospitals, and received ‘top 50 in the nation’ rankings for medical excellence and advanced capabilities in many specialties.
Faculty
| Arif Ali, MD Residency: University of Chicago Fellowship: The Sports Clinic ‐ Laguna Hills Fellowship: Hospital for Special Surgery Specialty: Sports Medicine & TraumaTaizoon Baxamusa, MD Residency: Yale University School of Medicine Fellowship: The Indiana Hand Center Specialty: Hand & Upper ExtremityAvi Bernstein, MD Residency: UCLA Fellowship: State University of New York ‐ Buffalo Specialty: SpineJames Bresch, MD Residency: Northwestern University Fellowship: Kerlan‐Jobe Specialty: Sports MedicineRajeev Garapati, MD Residency: Northwestern University Fellowship: Mt. Sinai Medical Center Fellowship: R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center Fellowship: AO Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship Specialty: TraumaThomas Gleason, MD Residency: University of Illinois Fellowship: University of Toronto ‐ Spine Specialty: Spine |
Jeffrey Goldstein, MD
Residency: University of Illinois
Fellowship: OrthoCarolina Hip & Knee Center
Specialty: Adult ReconstructionWayne Goldstein, MD
Residency: University of Illinois
Fellowship: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard University
Specialty: Adult ReconstructionAlex Gordon, MD
Residency: University of Illinois
Fellowship: Scripps Clinic
Specialty: Adult ReconstructionAlbert Knuth, MD
Residency: Northwestern University
Fellowship: Texas Scottish Rite
Hospital
Specialty: PediatricAndrea Kramer, MD
Residency: Northwestern University
Fellowship: Shriners Hospital Utah
Specialty: PediatricMatthew Jimenez, MD
Residency: Northwestern University
Fellowship: Sunnybrook Medical Center
Fellowship: University of Toronto
Specialty: Trauma
Alan League, MD
Residency: University of Illinois
Fellowship: Union Memorial Hospital
Specialty: Foot & AnkleJohn H. Lyon, MD
Residency: Norwestern University
Fellowship: Rush University Medical Center
Specialty: Adult ReconstructionSteven Mardjetko, MD
Residency: University of Illinois
Fellowship: Rush University Medical
Center – Adult & Pediatric
Specialty: Adult / Pediatric SpineRonak Patel, MD
Residency: Northwestern University
Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Specialty: Sports MedicineTodd Simmons, MD
Residency: Northwestern University
Fellowship: Royal Children’s Hospital,
Australia
Specialty: PediatricRitesh Shah, MD
Residency: Northwestern University
Fellowship: Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis
Specialty: Adult Joint Preservation, Resurfacing and ReconstructionDavid Rabb, MD
Residency: Northwestern University
Fellowship: Minneapolis Sports
Medicine Center
Specialty: Sports MedicineJeffrey Visotsky, MD
Residency: Northwestern University
Fellowship: Baylor University Medical Center
Fellowship: University of Chicago
Specialty: Hand
Advocate Christ Hospital
Trauma: Level I
Beds: 695
Percent of Training: 15%
Description:
Advocate Christ Medical Center is one of the busiest Level I trauma centers in Illinois. In both 2012 and 2013, the medical center was named to the Truven Health 100 Top Hospitals®, while U.S. News & World Report ranked the medical center among the nation’s leading providers for cardiology and heart surgery and for geriatric medicine and ranked it fourth overall among hospitals in the state of Illinois. The hospital is also recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Magnet Center.
Faculty
| George Branovacki, MD Residency: University of Illinois Fellowship: Scripps Clinic Specialty: Adult ReconstructionPaul Defrino, MD Residency: Northwestern University Fellowship: Baylor University Medical Center Specialty: Foot & AnklePrasad Gourineni, MD Residency: Northwestern University Fellowship: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Specialty: PediatricJames Leonard, MD Residency: University Of Illinois Fellowship: Vanderbilt University Specialty: Sports MedicineRichard Lim, MD Residency: Northwestern University Fellowship: Spine Institute For Special Surgery Specialty: Spine Kevin Luke, MD Residency: Rush University Medical Center Specialty: Adult Reconstruction / Trauma |
Anis Mekhail, MD Residency: University of Illinois Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic Foundation Specialty: SpineJames Moravek, MD Residency: University of Michigan Fellowship: Beaumont Hospital Specialty: Sports MedicineLuis Redondo, MD Residency: Rush University Medical Center Specialty: Adult ReconstructionDaniel Troy, MD Residency: University of Illinois Fellowship: Hughston Sports Medicine Clinic Fellowship: Leatherman Spine Institute Specialty: Sports Medicine & SpineMichael Weisburger, MD Residency: University of Illinois Fellowship: SUNY Stony Brook Specialty: Hand |
Weiss Memorial Hospital
Trauma: Level II
Beds: 236
Percent of Training: 15%
Description:
Weiss Memorial Hospital is a 236‐bed healthcare facility located along Chicago’s Lakefront. Weiss Memorial Hospital has been recognized as a 2013 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in the United States. The Chicago Center for Orthopedics located at Weiss Memorial Hospital was recently named the Blue Distinction Center® for knee and hip replacement.
Faculty
| James Cohen, MD Residency: Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center Fellowship: Rothman Institute – Thomas Jefferson Specialty: Sports Medicine / Adult ReconstructionYasser Farid, MD, Phd Fellowship: Harvard University Fellowship: M.D. Anderson ‐ The University of Texas Fellowship: University of Chicago Specialty: Orthopaedic Oncology / Joint ArthroplastyHenry Finn, MD Residency: Hahnemann University Fellowship: University of Chicago Specialty: Adult Reconstruction & Orthopaedic OncologyBenjamin Goldberg, MD Residency: Baylor University Medical Center Fellowship: University of Washington Specialty: Shoulder and Elbow |
Mark Gonzalez, MD, PhD Residency: University of Illinois Fellowship: Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship: Ohio State University Specialty Specialty: Hand / Adult ReconstructionPrunendu Gupta, MD Residency: Northwestern University Fellowship: Washington University, St. Louis Specialty: Adult / Pediatric SpineAri Kaz, MD Residency: Indiana University Medical Center Fellowship: Idaho Foot and Ankle Surgery Specialty: Foot & AnkleAlfonso Mejia, MD, MPH Residency: University of Illinois Fellowship: Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery Specialty: Hand |
Shriners Hospital for Children
Trauma: Level III
Beds: 60
Percent of Training: 5%
Description:
Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago is one of the busiest hospitals in the Shriners health system. Here, children with a host of orthopaedic and neuro‐musculoskeletal conditions, spinal cord injuries, as well as cleft lip and palate are treated. Seventy percent of the hospital’s patient population is drawn from the Midwest. Approximately, 30% of admissions are from overseas and the hospital
serves a large population of children with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Faculty
| Jefferey Ackman, MD Residency: Rush University Medical Center Fellowship: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Specialty: Pediatric / SpineHaluk Altiok, MD Residency: University of Illinois Fellowship: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Fellowship: Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago Fellowship: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Specialty: PediatricPrunendu Gupta, MD Residency: Northwestern University Fellowship: Washington University, St. Louis Specialty: Adult / Pediatric Spine |
Kim Hammerberg, MD Residency: Rush University Medical Center Fellowship: Rush University Medical Center Travelling Spine Fellowships: Deutches Skoliosezentrum, Bad Wildengun, Germany Travelling Spine Fellowship: Institut Calot, Berck‐Plage, France Specialty: Pediatric SpineTerry Light, MD Residency: Yale University Fellowship: Connecticut Combined Hand Surgery Program Specialty: HandPeter Smith, MD Residency: University of Chicago Fellowship: Newington Children’s Hospital Specialty: Pediatric |
Benefits
2018-2019
| Monthly | Yearly | |
| PGY I | 4,590 | 55,080 |
| PGY II | 4,752 | 57,024 |
| PGY III | 4,914 | 58,968 |
| PGY IV | 5,103 | 61,236 |
| PGY V | 5,306 | 63,672 |
| PGY VI | 5,515 | 66,180 |
| FY VII | 5,698 | 68,376 |
Residents do not pay social security taxes; instead, eight percent (8%) of your gross earnings is deducted from your paycheck and placed in State Universities Retirement System (SURS). At the end of 5 years, you can receive as much as the lump sum of contributions, interest, and 1:1 matching depending on the SURS plan you enroll in. This can amount to more than $40,000 returned at the end of residency.
For more information please visit:GME Website
Educational
Residents are awarded $750 each year for PGY III-V to buy books, courses, etc.
Conference
Residents are awarded up to $1500 for travel and lodging to present research accepted at national conferences.