Orthotics Residency Program

Residency Structure

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. 

Clinical Rotation Areas

The pediatric clinical rotations include, but are not limited to, the following content areas: ​ 

• Chest wall deformities
• Clubfoot 
• Cranial remolding helmet and head shape clinic
• Fabrication 
• Foot/ankle 
• Fracture clinic 
• General orthopedics 
• Inpatient/outpatient 
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Post-operative care 
• Rheumatology 
• Serial casting
• Spinal deformities
• Sports medicine

Evaluation & Assessment

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: 

• Case study reviews 
• Cognitive, psychomotor, and affective assessment instruments 
• Evidence-based practice 
• Formal meetings with mentors and resident director  
• Multiple choice/short answer examinations 

Application Process

Prospective residents interested in pursuing an Orthotics Residency in the Department of Orthotics/Prosthetics at Lurie Children's must first submit a resume through oprescas.liaisoncas.com.

Submission of resumes through OPRESCAS must be received no later than end of the day Friday, December 13, 2024. 

Resumes are reviewed by our admissions committee and candidates are sent a status notification. Candidates advanced to the next round will receive a link to access the full application. 

Testimonials from Previous Residents

"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!”

“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 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.”