Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
Saint Louis University’s orthopaedics residency is a five-year, fully accredited training program consisting of five years of clinical instruction that provides training in all areas of adult and pediatric orthopaedics.
Letter from the Chair
I would like to personally thank you for visiting our department website. It is a true honor for me to be the interim chair of SLU's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Having been a faculty member in the department since 2010, I have come to watch it build on a strong past of quality orthopaedic surgical care to a department nationally recognized in trauma and complex orthopaedic reconstruction, especially in pediatric orthopaedics, spine surgery and musculoskeletal oncology. We continue to make advances in basic and clinical research, including being the coordinating research center for multicenter prospective randomized trials. Our residency graduates are being selected for some of the nation’s top orthopaedic fellowships and our students are excelling in their knowledge of musculoskeletal medicine. The integration of our residency program and clinical practice into the SSM Health portfolio has only strengthened our residency, providing expanded opportunities and resources for patient care, education, and research. We remain an active, growing, and vibrant department. We are committed to excellent patient care and outstanding resident education. Welcome!
David D. Greenberg, M.D.
Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Professor, Orthopaedic Oncology
Program director, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program
Letter from the Program Director
As program director, I am honored to introduce you to a program dedicated to excellence in orthopaedic education, patient care, and research. At SLU, we provide a rigorous and comprehensive training experience that prepares our residents to become skilled, compassionate, and well-rounded orthopaedic surgeons.
Our program is built on a strong foundation of clinical exposure, mentorship, and academic excellence. Residents train at a diverse range of clinical settings, gaining experience in all subspecialties of orthopaedic surgery, from trauma and sports medicine to joint reconstruction and pediatric orthopedics. With access to cutting-edge technology, high surgical volumes, and a faculty committed to education, our residents graduate with the confidence and skill set needed to excel in any practice setting.
Beyond technical proficiency, we emphasize professionalism, teamwork, and lifelong learning. Our faculty and leadership are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where residents can thrive both professionally and personally. We take pride in cultivating a culture of camaraderie, intellectual curiosity, and a dedication to advancing the field of orthopaedics.
Thank you for your interest in our program. We welcome you to explore what makes SLU Orthopaedics a special place to train and grow as a surgeon. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Korey D. Partenheimer D.O.
Program director, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
Assistant professor, Adult Reconstruction/Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Residency Program Overview
There are 27 residents in the program. Five incoming PGY-1 residents are accepted each year. The PGY-1 year is an orthopaedic year that meets all current requirements from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS), providing an excellent background in general surgery and the surgery subspecialties.
Research Opportunities
Residents have dedicated research time during their residencies. They have ample opportunities to perform research with both the clinical faculty as well as the biomechanical and basic science faculty in their labs. The department has both a dedicated research statistician and a research coordinator. Residents travel each year to present their research at regional and national meetings.
The PGY-2 through PGY-5 years are spent solely within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery with residents rotating through all the major subspecialties. As the years in training increase, so does the level of resident responsibility, culminating in a PGY-5 or chief resident year. Upon successful completion of the program, residents are eligible for board certification through the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
