FAQs

How many residents do you currently have?

We currently have 20 residents in the Orthopaedic Surgery Program.

When do you notify applicants if they will be invited for an interview?

We review applications and send invitations on the Universal Interview Offer day and beyond.

What EMR system is used in your hospital and clinics?

Our Academic Medicine Health Centers use Allscripts, and our hospital system uses Patient Keeper. Epic is coming soon.

What is orthopaedic clinic like?

Residents spend at least two half days per week in a dedicated resident specialty clinic with subspecialty faculty.

What do the didactic sessions cover?

Orthopaedic didactics include fracture conference, specialty conference, morbidity & mortality conference, a structured anatomy course and cadaver lab, ABOS Modules, specific cadaver and sawbone hands-on training labs, and journal club.

We also have shared didactics across our five specialties where we offer a breadth of learning experiences in such topics as cultural humility, ethics and professionalism, social determinants of health, ongoing opioid education, career planning, motivational interviewing, and public speaking.

What is the match rate for fellowships?

Our current match rate for fellowships is 100%. Our residents have successfully matched into fellowships including adult joint reconstruction, foot and ankle, hand and upper extremity, sports medicine, and trauma.

How does the department assist with obtaining fellowships?

If a resident is interested in fellowship, we connect them with a mentor of that specialty for their research. We also encourage offsite electives as auditions at their chosen program.

Community Memorial offers a one-year non-ACGME accredited Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Fellowship for internal candidates designed to provide clinical, academic, and administrative training in quality improvement, patient safety, and leadership development. To learn more about our QIPS Fellowship, click here.

What is the research program like?

Residents are required to actively participate in scholarly work in both research and quality/performance improvement projects. Orthopaedic residents complete case reports, retrospective studies, or prospective research in areas that align with their future career endeavors. By the end of residency, each resident will have disseminated their research via medical conferences and/or publications.

Each resident participates in a longitudinal quality improvement project in an area of interest. These projects are designed to provide education and cultivate leadership skills for the practicing physician.

What is your patient population like?

The Ventura County population is diverse and ranges in socioeconomic status, language, and age. We have many geriatric patients who are very healthy and active, as well as younger patients with complex medical conditions. We also have a large Spanish-speaking patient population.

Do you have any simulation experiences?

Interns participate in ABOS Skills Modules. The yearly educational program also includes faculty-run didactic sessions using human cadaver specimens, and residents use the VirtaMed Arthroscopic Simulator for knee, shoulder, and foot & ankle arthroscopy training. Interns also have mock code simulations, are introduced to a musculoskeletal point of care ultrasound curriculum, and spend a day at the UCLA simulation lab participating in acute care scenarios.

Where do residents typically live, and how much is housing?

All residents live within 15-20 minutes of the hospital in the cities of Ventura or Oxnard. Most residents who chose to live in Oxnard live near The Collection as it is within walking distance to shops and restaurants. Housing prices vary by location, square footage, and amenities. It is more affordable if you have roommates to share the cost of rent and find housing through independent owners rather than large apartment complexes. A rough estimate would be anywhere from $1600-$2500+ for a single room and $3500-$4000 for a three bedroom house, not including additional costs such as utilities. This amount depends on where you are willing to compromise when you are house hunting.

Is it easy to approach the Program Director and Associate Program Directors?

Our Program Director and Associate Program Director are practicing physicians whom the residents work with directly in patient care, making it easy to develop strong relationships. They are always available to support residents in any way. In order to continue to improve the program, they also encourage feedback, which makes residents feel appreciated and heard.

What can I expect while living in Ventura?

Ventura County sits between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties. The city offers a coastal feel with a neighborhood vibe, and many of our residents run into their patients out in the community. Ventura offers plenty of hiking, water activities, and a great surf culture. New microbreweries pop up all the time, along with independently owned coffee shops and restaurants. The weather year-round is enjoyable year-round, with the exception of a few unbearably hot days in the summer. Ventura is aquiet beach town that catches you by surprise. Once you’re here, you may find it hard to leave!