ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY RESIDENCY

PHILADELPHIA
COLLEGE OF
OSTEOPATHIC
MEDICINE

Thank you for your interest in the PCOM Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program. 

Students who complete an elective rotation with PCOM will be provided with graduated responsibility in a challenging academic environment, working closely with PCOM residents and clinical faculty. 


Non-Audition Season: January - May

 - Due to our adjusted audition season, non-audition season will start March 1st, 2022 and end May 27,2022. 

 - Currently, we are only able to accommodate PCOM medical students. 

 - Non-audition rotations will only be 2 weeks. 


Audition Season: June - December*

* Due to COVID-19, our adjusted audition season will start on August 1, 2021, and end on January 28, 2022.

* We will start accepting applications for the upcoming audition season April 15, 2021.


PCOM medical students

-For PCOM medical students interested in setting up audition rotations, the season will start in August 1, 2021. 

-Per the recommendation of the American Orthopedic Association / Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors (AOA/CORD): Provide adequate exposure to orthopaedic surgery and advocate for at least 2 months of orthopaedic surgery for students at their home program. Therefore, when submitting your application, please give us two different time slots that will work with your schedule. You don't have to schedule back to back rotations.


Non-PCOM medical students

-For non-PCOM medical students, the season will open tentatively in August 1, 2021. 

-In person auditions will be granted if: (1) learners who have a specialty interest and do not have access to a clinical experience with a residency program in that specialty in their school’s system; or (2) students who have a graduation or military requirement to complete such a rotation.

-Note: If you fall within the exception category stated above and your medical school is allowing you to complete an in-person audition rotation, the in-person audition rotation will start in August 1, 2021.


As far as what to expect while on your 4 week rotation, you will spend time at: 

 - Main Line Heath system ( Lankenau Medical Center, Paoli Hospital)

 - St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

*Due to COVID-19, residents may not be able to rotate at these hospitals with our program.


Duties while on service will include rounding, writing progress notes, helping with day to day floor responsibilities, and of course, OR case coverage. You will also have the opportunity to spend time in the office, predominately with the program chairman, Dr. John McPhilemy, but also with some of our core faculty. It is strongly encouraged that you attend our education on Thursdays from 2p-7p (Evans Hall Room 334A). You may be expected to read basic X-rays as well as discuss classifications and treatment options in commonly seen injuries. If involved in cases, you should be expected to know the basic musculoskeletal anatomy. Rounding and case coverage on the weekends with the junior residents is optional, but encouraged.


Required documents to have when setting up an elective IN-PERSON AUDITION rotation:

Pre-Approval Required Documents:

Post-Approval Documents:
  • Transcript*
  • Copy of health insurance card (front and back)
  • Certificate of malpractice insurance (minimum of $1 million/$3 million, current at time of rotation)
  • Letter of good standing*
  • PA state criminal background check (within six months of the requested rotation dates)*
  • PA FBI fingerprinting clearance (within six months of the requested rotation dates)*
    • We will only accept the fingerprinting certificate from the Department of Human Services, not the CJIS- Criminal Justice Information Services certificate from the Department of Justice.
    • If you are non-PA resident, once you click on the hyperlink of IdentGO, scroll down to the bottom of the website and click on "Pennsylvania Non-Resident Cardscan Instructions" for further instructions.
    • Please don't send in your actual fingerprint card, it will not be accepted.
  • PA child abuse clearance (within six months of the requested rotation dates)*
  • Immunization records*
  • PPD test results (within one year of the requested rotation dates)*
  • Flu shot verification (within one year of the requested rotation dates)*
  • Mask fit test results (within one year of the requested rotation dates)*
  • Affiliation agreements are needed for Non-PCOM students, please check with your school to confirm that an agreement between PCOM and your school is in place in order to complete your audition or non-audition request.

VIRTUAL AUDITION Rotation Required Documents 
Pre-approval required documentsPost-approval required documents
  • Letter of good standing (LOGS)
  • Affiliation agreements are needed for non-PCOM students. Please check with your school to confirm that an agreement between PCOM and your school is in place in order to complete your audition or non-audition request.


Additional information regarding audition rotation for the residency program and elective rotation:

  • Due to COVID-19, hospital regulations are constantly changing. Rotation dates may need to be canceled or changed on short notice.
  • 4 students per month will be accepted for the upcoming audition/non-audition season.
  • 2 week or 4 week rotations are available.
  • Please note post approval required documents must be submitted six weeks prior to the start of your rotation date or risk the chance of forfeiting the rotation.
  • Audition rotation is highly recommended to be considered for an interview. However, completing an audition doesn’t guarantee an invite for interview.
  • Interviews will be held in February (2/10/2022, 2/12/2022).
  • Virtual interviews are TBD.
  • USMLE is accepted but not required.

To set up your rotation please email Residency Program Coordinator Meghane Malvoisin  at  mariereneema@pcom.edu


Policies updated as of April 10, 2021.

Please note any of these requirements are subject to change as we are trying to accommodate as best as possible during this time.



If you have additional questions about the upcoming year please contact one of the chiefs for 2021-2022 academic year:

Tim Horan (th158613@pcom.edu)

Alfonso Arevalo (alfonsoar@pcom.edu)