Orthopedic Surgery Residency
29
Active Clinical Trials
285,908
Patient Encounters in 2023
73
Peer-Reviewed Publications in 2023
24,018
Surgical Cases in 2023
Welcome to Our Residency
Left to Right:
Front Row: Sree 'Marty' Vemu, MD; Reece Rosenthal, MD; Jennifer Liu, MD; Sanjiv Gopalkrishnan, MD; Austin Nguyen, MD; Tanner Hafen, MD
Back Row: Clyde Fomunung, MD; Thomas Yetter, MD; Ricard Fuld, MD; Justin Walsh, MD; Justin Aflatooni, MD; Kevin Credille, MD
Not Pictured: Erin Orozco, MD; Alysa Birnbrich, MD
Houston Methodist is a world-class facility that provides residents access to cutting-edge advances and technologies, while grounding individuals in the principles of orthopedic surgery. Our residency program provides you with all the tools to further your career, providing the flexibility to pursue many different avenues. Our common goal, however, is to produce leaders in orthopedic surgery, whether that be in the realm of academics, research, private practice or administration.
A decades-long tradition of academics sets Houston Methodist apart from other institutions. Many nationally-known full-time teaching faculty team up to provide you the best clinical experience possible with abundant resources for education and an emphasis on your personal development as an orthopedic surgeon. A strong academic affiliation with Weill Cornell Medical College provides an anchor for educational excellence. For more than 50 years, Houston Methodist has served as a place where patients receive excellent care and residents receive outstanding medical training.
A decades-long tradition of academics sets Houston Methodist apart from other institutions. Many nationally-known full-time teaching faculty team up to provide you the best clinical experience possible with abundant resources for education and an emphasis on your personal development as an orthopedic surgeon. A strong academic affiliation with Weill Cornell Medical College provides an anchor for educational excellence. For more than 50 years, Houston Methodist has served as a place where patients receive excellent care and residents receive outstanding medical training.
Our Team
Chief Residents
Message from the Program Director
Houston Methodist has been a teaching hospital in Orthopaedics since the early 1940’s—first for the University of Texas, then for Baylor College of Medicine, and now as an independent academic institution-- and has been home (and center for major discoveries) for many of the greatest academic surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons in the country including DeBakey and Harrington. As such, we have a long history of dedication to the best clinical care, cutting-edge research, medical student and resident education, and giving back to community. And it is these ‘four legs’ that define our program. Our residents graduate having become solid surgeons, capable researchers, dedicated teachers, and good medical citizens; ready to pursue top-flight fellowships and academic careers, or simply to bring these skills to smaller local communities.
We hope you take an opportunity to become familiar with our program at Houston Methodist. We encourage you to browse the website and to consider a visit.
Shari Liberman, MD
Program Director, Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program
Kevin Varner, MD – Department Chair
Shari Liberman, MD – Program Director
Joshua Harris, MD
Jason Ahuero, MD
Timothy Brown, MD
William Bryan, MD
Terry Clyburn, MD
Darrell Hanson, MD
Robert Jack, MD
Koroush Jafarnia, MD
Kwan 'Kevin' Park, MD
Brian Parsley, MD
Patrick McCulloch, MD
Robert Neff, MD
Mark Prasarn, MD
Jeffrey Ratusznik, MD
John Seaberg, MD
Karim Shafi, MD
Joshua Woody, MD
Scott McKay, MD
Attending Physician, Texas Children's Hospital
Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine (Pediatric Rotation)
Ravi Karia, MD
Active Medical Staff Instructor, UTHSCSA – San Antonio, Texas (Ortho Trauma Rotation)
Valerae Lewis, MD
Active Medical Staff Instructor, Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, MD Anderson – Houston, Texas (Orthopedic Oncology Rotation)
Chief Residents
Andrew George, MD
Andrew George is from St. Louis, Missouri and completed his undergraduate studies and medical school at Northwestern University in Chicago. His favorite aspects of Methodist are the early operative experience, elective time and flexibility to craft your own experience, and the resources to be productive in research. He is currently serving as chief resident for the 24-25 academic year and will be pursuing a Sports Medicine fellowship at Stanford after residency. In his free time, he enjoys tennis, basketball, music, and exploring Houston with his girlfriend Ann.
Richard Fuld, MD
Richie Fuld is originally from Greenwich, Connecticut. He went to Middlebury College where he studied economics and played ice hockey. He then worked in investment banking for a few years before eventually pursuing a career in medicine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Colorado where he met his wife Paige before coming to Houston for residency. His favorite aspects of Methodist are the mentorship model, curriculum flexibility, and opportunities for early operative experience. He is going on to do a trauma fellowship at Harvard. He chose trauma because he loves the variety of procedures and anatomy, as well as the complexity of high energy injuries. Outside of medicine, Richie and his wife spend time being active with their dog, Remi, travelling, and exploring the excellent restaurant scene in Houston.
Justin Aflatooni, MD
Justin Aflatooni is from Sunnyvale, California. His dad was an engineer and his mom is a CRNA. Justin Loves to innovate and figure out solutions to problems. Medicine and working with his hands has always interested him, so orthopedics was perfect for him as it combines research, innovation, medicine, and procedures. His favorite aspects of Houston Methodist are the resources it has to support resident interests and academic extracurriculars. He likes all types of procedures but has decided to pursue an Adult Reconstruction fellowship. During his free time, he likes to spend time with his wife and dogs, learn new things, work on his car, and exercise!
Eligibility and Application
Houston Methodist Hospital participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP):
Criteria
- All PGY-1 positions are offered through the NRMP.
- Applications must be processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
- Paper applications are not accepted.
- "Pre-Match" positions are not offered.
- All applications are carefully reviewed with selected applicants notified electronically to interview through ERAS.
- Please limit inquiries into application status.
Houston Methodist is committed to improving the health of our patients, employees, and communities around us. As a health care provider, it’s our responsibility to promote a healthier environment for our employees.
Responsibility
- Drug and Tobacco Screening- Job seekers will be tested for nicotine and drug usage during the post-offer physical. If a job seeker tests positive for nicotine use, including nicotine gum and patches, the offer will be rescinded, and individuals will be given the opportunity to participate in a free Houston Methodist-provided tobacco cessation program. Job seekers wishing to reapply after testing positive for nicotine may do so 90 days after the date the initial offer was rescinded. If the job seeker tests positive for drug use, the offer will be rescinded. Job seekers wishing to reapply after the drug screening is positive may do so one year after the date the initial offer was rescinded.
- Background Check - Prior to employment start date, job seekers must complete a criminal background check.
All applicants must submit the necessary forms to be considered:
Materials
- A common ERAS application form
- A dean’s letter (MSPE) and at least two (2) other letters of recommendation; preferably, one of the letters should be from the chairman of orthopedics (all letters of recommendation should be current or within the last 2 years)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Official medical school transcript
- Personal statement
- Must have passed USMLEs steps 1 and 2 on first attempt (minimum score of 240 is required for Step 2)
- Graduation from medical school within the last year
Important Dates
Application Deadline: November 1st;
Interview Season: Interviews will be held in person this year and will start in January 2025.
Medical Student rotation
The Houston Methodist Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program offers medical student rotations for fourth-year medical students interested in pursuing an orthopedic surgery residency. Rotations are offered in August through December. In order to apply for the rotation, you must contact our residency coordinator expressing interest and include your CV (resume) and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score (P/F). Minimum USMLE Step 2 score (if applicable) must be 240 to be considered as a rotator. This information is then presented to the Program Director and Assistant Program Director for evaluation and selection. If selected, the student will be forwarded to our graduate medical education (GME) office for credentialing and processing.
Completing a rotator application through our GME office does not guarantee a formal rotation. All students are selected by the program director. Students must have prior approval from the program before completing GME paperwork.
Our program is currently not involved with VSAS.
Linked here, you can find the MS4 goals and objectives and overall program goals and objectives.
Our Residents
Justin Aflatooni, MD - PGY5
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk, VA
Alysa Birnbrich, MD - PGY5
Richard Fuld, III, MD - PGY5
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Aurora, CO
Aurora, CO
Andrew George, MD - PGY5
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Sanjiv Gopalkrishnan, MD - PGY4
Dell Medical School at the University of Texas
Austin, TX
Austin, TX
Jennifer Liu, MD - PGY4
University of Texas Medical School Southwestern
Dallas, TX
Dallas, TX
Sree 'Marty' Vemu, MD - PGY4
McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas
Houston, TX
Houston, TX
Erin Orozco, MD - PGY3
McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas
Houston, TX
Houston, TX
Justin Walsh, MD - PGY3
Rush University Medical College
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Kevin Credille, MD - PGY2
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee, WI
Austin Nguyen, MD - PGY2
University of Illinois College of Medicine
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Thomas Yetter, MD - PGY2
University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, TX
Galveston, TX
Clyde Fomunung, MD - PGY1
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
College Station, TX and Houston, Tx
College Station, TX and Houston, Tx
Tanner Hafen, MD - PGY1
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Rochester, MI
Rochester, MI
Reece Rosenthal, MD - PGY1
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Tx
Houston, Tx
Our Alumni
Class of 2024
Brian Phelps, MD – Spine Surgery Fellowship, Washington University - St. Louis, MO
Austin Wininger, MD – Adult Recon. Fellowship, Mayo Univeristy - Phoenix, AZ
Class of 2023
Michael Cotton, MD – Foot & Ankle Fellowship, Mercy Medical Center - Institute for Foot & Ankle Recon. Baltimore, MD
Alex Han, MD – Hand Surgery Fellowship, University of California- San Francisco
Takashi Hirase, MD – Spine Surgery Fellowship, HSS, New York, NY
Oncology Fellowship, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Class of 2022
Rachel Bratescu, MD – Spine Surgery Fellowship, NYU-Langone, New York City, NY
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Fellowship, Weill Cornell , New York, NY
Stephanie Gardner, MD – Foot and Ankle Fellowship, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, Memphis, TN
Varan Haghshenas, MD – Spine Surgery Fellowship, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
Class of 2021
Derek Klavas, MD – Foot and Ankle Fellowship, Rush University, Chicago, IL
Hannah Morehouse, MD – General Orthopedics Practice, United States, Air Force
Hudson Seidel, MD – Hand Fellowship, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA
Class of 2020
Andrew Kay, MD – Adult Recon. Fellowship, Rothman Institute, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Katherine Miller, MD – Pediatric Orthopedic Fellowship, Seattle Children's Hosp., Seattle, WA;
Paley Pediatric Limb Deformity Fellowship, West Palm Beach, FL
Angelina Vera, MD – Sports Medicine Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ
Class of 2019
Robert Jack, MD – Sports Medicine Fellowship, Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA
Carlos Mehexu, MD – Adult Recon. Fellowship, Florida Orthopedic Institute, Tampa Bay, FL
Kyle Sochacki, MD - Sports Medicine Fellowship, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Class of 2018
Derek Bernstein, MD – Hand Fellowship, Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA
Nickolas Boutris, MD – Sports Medicine Fellowship, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City, NY
Class of 2017
Matthew Burn, MD – Hand Fellowship, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Ronald Mitchell, MD – General Orthopedics Practice, United States Navy
Kevin Smith, MD – Sports Medicine Fellowship, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Class of 2016
Jason Alder, MD – Spine Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Preston Smith, MD – Sports Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Andrea Gale, MD – Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship, Humphrey Shoulder Clinic, Boise, ID;
Hand & Upper Extremity Fellowship, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT
Curriculum
PGY-1
Rotation | Duration |
---|---|
General Ortho | 6 months |
Vascular Surgery | 1 month |
Emergency Medicine | 1 month |
SICU | 1 month |
Plastic Surgery | 1 month |
General Surgery Trauma (MHH) | 1 month |
Rheumatology | 1 month |
PGY-3
Rotation | Duration |
---|---|
Joints | 2 months |
Pediatric Ortho (TCH-West) | 2 months |
Ortho Trauma (San Antonio) | 4 months |
Research | 2 months |
Adult Reconstruction | 2 months |
PGY-5
Rotation | Duration |
---|---|
Electives | 6 months |
Hand | 2 months |
Pediatric Ortho (TOH) | 2 months |
Sports (WB/HMH) | 2 months |
PGY-2
Rotation | Duration |
---|---|
Oncology (MDA) | 2 months |
Pediatric Ortho (TCH-West) | 2 months |
Foot and Ankle | 2 months |
Hand | 2 months |
Sports Medicine | 2 months |
Spine | 2 months |
PGY-4
Rotation | Duration |
---|---|
Research/Elective | 2 months |
Foot and Ankle | 2 months |
Adult Reconstruction | 4 months |
Sports (WB/HMH) | 2 months |
Spine | 2 months |
Get In Touch
Program Contact
Alyssa Bryan, C-TAGME
Senior Residency Coordinator
6445 Main St. Ste. 2500
Houston, Tx 77030
713.441.3556 - Phone
Email: afbryan@houstonmethodist.org
Senior Residency Coordinator
6445 Main St. Ste. 2500
Houston, Tx 77030
713.441.3556 - Phone
Email: afbryan@houstonmethodist.org
Program Director
Shari Liberman, MD
Program Director
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
6445 Main St., Suite 2500
Houston, TX 77030
Upcoming Academic Events
Grand rounds, tumor boards, regularly scheduled series and case presentations are offered in multiple clinical disciplines and Houston Methodist locations.55
Grand Rounds conducted in 2023
These educational events are held according to varying schedules by departments and divisions within the Houston Methodist Academic Institute
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