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Specialties & ConditionsOrthotics & Prosthetics Orthotics Residency Program
Lurie Children’s Orthotics & Prosthetics Department believes in giving back to the profession by playing an active role in helping to develop the practitioners of the future. Our residency program values a diverse and structured learning experience to prepare residents for comprehensive clinical care as they enter the profession.
Lurie Children’s Orthotics & Prosthetics Department aligns and adheres to the expectations set by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) as well as the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) to provide a nationally recognized and balanced program to effectively raise the standard of education in the field. Residents are given the opportunity to pursue either a clinical or research path and provided the resources to fulfill NCOPE requirements.
The first month of residency is structured to meet the requirements of the Lurie Children’s probationary period. Residents will experience a snapshot of laboratory and fabrication processes, outpatient and inpatient clinic coverages, and the various clinical locations in the Chicagoland area. After the initial month, residents are assigned a content specific rotation lasting up to three months. During each rotation the resident is partnered with a designated mentor(s) or content specialist. Rotations can best be described as clinically based, technically based, practice management based, or a combination of the three. Rotations are tailored to meet the needs of the resident.
The approach to learning starts with observation, moves to participation, and eventually the resident will lead patient encounters. This progression of learning is paced differently for various patient populations and is determined by the level of proficiency demonstrated by the resident. For example, some patient populations with medically complex presentations may require a longer training introduction before the resident can take the lead under limited supervision. We have found this progression of learning to be effective in preparing residents for comprehensive clinical care.
At Lurie Children’s, we find that the most successful residency experiences are the ones in which the resident remains engaged and proactive in seeking out learning opportunities and using time to refine their skills.
The pediatric clinical rotations include, but are not limited to, the following content areas:
We know how important it is for residents to receive proper assessment and routine feedback. We use several tools and processes to assess resident performance including:
Individuals interested in applying for the orthotic resident position at Lurie Children's must complete the application and provide the necessary supporting documentation. The application process is as follows:
Please note that your application to our program will not be considered complete until we have received each of the items in the three steps outlined above.
In addition to the items listed above, non-U.S. resident applicants must include the following documents in their packet:
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Completed application packets must be mailed to the following address:
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Attn: Bryan Malas, MHPE, CO
225 E. Chicago Avenue, Box 46
Chicago, IL 60611
"As I began my search for my orthotics residency, there were a few things in particular I was looking for. I knew I was interested in working with the pediatric population and I was hoping to work and learn in a larger hospital setting where there would be a lot of opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration. Lurie Children’s Hospital checked both of those boxes immediately, but the one main thing I was looking for in a residency was enthusiastic mentorship. From my very first interaction with the faculty at Lurie Children’s, I knew I would find what I was looking for. I feel very lucky for the opportunity to work with so many experienced clinicians, each of whom are eager to teach. Bryan and the rest of the staff here at Lurie Children’s have worked hard to facilitate a productive learning environment for orthotic residents, and I surprise myself with how much I have learned here so far. From the beginning of my residency, I have been treated and respected as a colleague, and have never felt like a burden to the department. As I continue to gain autonomy in my practice this year and throughout my career in O&P, I am thankful to have gotten my start at Lurie Children’s Hospital!” - Kimberly Rowe
“I knew early on in my orthotic and prosthetic career that I wanted a pediatric focused orthotic residency, and my residency experience at Lurie Children’s Hospital far exceeded my expectations. From the moment I met the clinical, technical, and administrative staff in the Orthotics and Prosthetics Department, I felt like a valued member of their team. While I was challenged and pushed outside of my comfort zone on a daily basis, I was always treated with the same respect as an experienced clinician. Lurie Children’s emphasizes a collaborative work environment not only between clinicians but also between departments, and I loved being able to learn from and collaborate treatment plans with skilled surgeons, nurses, and therapists. I learned and grew clinically, professionally, and personally more than I could have imagined in just one year. My experience with Lurie Children’s Orthotics and Prosthetics Department gave me the unique opportunity to join a cohesive group of clinical professionals who put their patients first with every clinical decision and being a part of this family was one of the best career decisions I could have made.” - Stella Thai
