What is Board Certification?

Board Certified Orthopaedists have completed four years of medical school and at least five years of an approved residency in orthopaedics. After completing two years of practice in orthopaedic surgery and passing a comprehensive oral and written examination, they are certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Board Certified Rheumatologists have completed four years of medical school and at least three years of an approved residency in internal medicine. After successfully completing two years in a post residency fellowship in rheumatology and passing a subspecialty examination, they are certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Rheumatology.

Board Certified Physiatrists have completed four years of medical school and four additional years of residency. They have passed both a written and oral examination in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and are certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

What is Fellowship training?

Many orthopedic surgeons elect to do further subspecialty training in programs known as 'fellowships' after completing their residency training. The fellowship process is designed to allow physicians to develop special skills and interests that will become the focus of their professional career, i.e. sub specialization. This allows the physician to obtain a higher level of proficiency and knowledge about a more limited area of orthopaedic practice, providing better care for patients.

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