Welcome

Program Overview/Philosophy

Mission
To develop orthopaedic surgeons by delivering outstanding musculoskeletal care and fostering a spirit of inquiry through professional development, education, and research.

Vision
To be the leaders in orthopaedic surgical education both within the Department of Defense (DoD) and nationally.

Overview
The Orthopaedic Surgery department's fellowship-trained faculty surgeons at San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) represent all major orthopaedic subspecialties and offer an unparalleled diversity of experience in the DoD. The program is joint Air Force/Army with both faculty and residents representing each branch in a joint environment. The ACGME residency is comprised of 30 residents and is supported by the faculty and over 100 other personnel including 10 physician assistants and nurses. The faculty represent the pinnacle of military and orthopaedic clinical skills and leadership. SAMMC is the worldwide referral center for complex musculoskeletal trauma and rehabilitation, musculoskeletal oncology and young adult hip preservation in the DoD. Current faculty are internationally and nationally renowned, serving as past presidents and meeting chairs for the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons (SOMOS) and the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors; leading national orthopaedic committees; and faculty for the Miller Review Course. Military medical leadership is exemplified with faculty experience in command, hospital committee leadership, and leadership in deployed environments.

Welcome Letter from Current Program Director

Welcome to Brooke Army Medical Center!

Whether this is your first time rotating at this institution or you are returning, we are excited to have you here in sunny San Antonio! The department of Orthopaedic Surgery at BAMC is the busiest in the system and we are the only base in the DoD with a Level 1 Trauma Center. BAMC is one of the newest military hospitals and our department sees over 50,000 patients and performs over 4,500 cases annually. The Center for the Intrepid (CFI) is located on our campus and works very closely with wounded warriors from our department.

Don’t be confused by our many names–SAUSHEC, SAMMC, BAMC–we are a proudly combined Air Force and Army residency, with three residents selected from each branch as part of our incoming class. Our academic program trains six US Air Force and Army residents annually and boasts a stellar record of scholarship to include—eight consecutive San Antonio Orthopaedic Society Resident Research Award winners, eight American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Emerging Leaders, twelve AOA Resident Leaders Forum selectees, seven Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons (SOMOS) Founders Award winners, and four SOMOS Mazurek Award winners.

Our residents work in a team-based education model with a graduated level of independence and oversight during the five years of residency. We have an optional research year available for one resident from each class allowing for flexibility for those dedicated to a research and academic focused career. We also have outside rotations at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, CA and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Spring, CO built into our curriculum.

Outside the hospital, we are a close-knit group and have strong bonds within the department and with our compatriots in specialties all over the hospital. We hope you all will be able to enjoy some of the best attractions in San Antonio such as the Riverwalk, the Pearl and McAllister Park.

Our goal for your time here is to have you learn as much as possible about orthopaedic surgery and see how our team operates with one another. We hope you will enjoy your time with us and decide that BAMC is the place for you!

Respectfully,
BAMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Current Program Director
Dustin Lybeck, MD
Lt Col, USAF
Musculoskeletal Oncology

Army Associate Program Director
David Wilson, MD
LTC, USA
Chief, Hand/Upper Extremity

Air Force Associate Program Director
Bryan Lawson, MD
Maj, USAF
Chief, Spine

Current Program Administrator with Contact information
Wanda Williams
Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Coordinator
[email protected]
210-916-1284

Pamela Spradley
Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Coordinator
210-916-3410
[email protected]

Visiting Student Overview

Overview
The SAMMC Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program accepts applications for PGY-1 residency positions among all Army and Air Force service members annually through the Medical Operational Data System (MODS) application system. Six PGY-1 positions are available each year, with three Air Force and three Army positions available. The Joint Service Graduate Medical Education Selection Board (JSGMESB) application typically opens in late May and closes in October, detailing number of positions available for each branch. Be sure to check MODS for exact application dates.

Medical Student Audition Rotations
One month orthopaedic rotations are offered for 3rd and 4th year medical students interested in applying for Orthopedic Surgery residency. It is recommended to complete a rotation at programs of interest.

Rotations are four weeks long and are broken up into two week long terms with two subspecialty services. After accepted to complete a rotation, you will be given further information and allowed to rank your top choices for subspecialty services.

To set up a rotation at SAMMC, the following must be completed:
• Send an application starting 9 months prior to desired rotation start date to the GME office (SAUSHEC-Rotation-Request-Form.pdf (tricare.mil))
• Include an up to date immunization record
• Further detailed information will be sent upon acceptance to complete a rotation

Further GME Medical Student application instructions can be found on the BAMC website at the following link: https://bamc.tricare.mil/About-Us/SAUSHEC/Medical-Student-Rotations?fbclid=IwAR1MsdxjsCBpTr43AsU9AGvLVcj9-sEUUlOZsWLV3hUGIW-ZqwtgX1POfjw

Medical Student Coordinator Contact Information

Telephone: (210) 916-3231 / 916-6574
Fax: (210) 916-0695
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
Brooke Army Medical Center
Graduate Medical Education, ATTN: Medical Student Coordinator
3551 Roger Brooke Drive
JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-4504

Typical Day for Rotators

0500: Report to subspecialty team for running the inpatient list and team rounding
0630: Attend morning report
0700: Attend team-specific clinic or go to the OR for cases
1700: Run the inpatient list with your subspecialty team and the overnight resident
1800: Complete any team-specific tasks, return to residence and prepare for next day cases

How to Apply

A complete MODS application must include the following:
• 2 Letters of Recommendation; AOA/CORD Standard LOR recommended
• Personal Statement (see AF specific guidelines on website)
• Dean Letter/MSPE
• Medical School Transcript
• USMLE/COMLEX official transcript (filled out by school official)
• GME Weight Statement (filled out and signed by medical representative, AF only)
• Statement of Understanding (AF only)

Interviews

Interviews are typically held during visiting rotation auditions or by phone in mid-October. Class A/dress blues are required for in-person rotations. Interviews usually take half of the day, and is set up in a round robin style process with one attending and one or two residents per room. Each attending has their own method of interviewing. You will likely rotate through ten rooms with about 15 minutes per room. After the interview day is complete, we have a social event with all medical students and residents.