Resident Training Today and Tomorrow

Derek M. Kelly, MD

Clayton C. Bettin, MD

Renee Poe, MS

For nearly 100 years, the Campbell Clinic has trained orthopaedic surgeons who practice throughout the United States and around the world. The University of Tennessee–Campbell Clinic Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering residency works with the Campbell Foundation to run this top-tier accredited fi veyear program for 40 residents. This program sets residents up for success as surgeons, researchers, educators and leaders.

Alumni include presidents of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), directors of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS), presidents of the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), and numerous presidents of subspecialty societies, making Campbell one of the best represented private practices in the country.

We reached out to Derek M. Kelly, MD, Pediatric Orthopaedics Specialist and Residency Program Director, and Clayton C. Bettin, MD, FAAOS and Assistant Program Director, to discuss the state of the residency. With support from Renee Poe, MS, Program Coordinator, this powerhouse team led the program through COVID-19 and upholds the gold standard fi rst set by Dr. Campbell.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic challenged the residency program?

Dr. Kelly: Like so many other industries, we had to move much of our formal teaching and research online. We facilitated an entirely virtual resident recruitment and selection process, going from 800 applicants to 90 interviews to 8 future orthopaedic surgeons and giving applicants a virtual experience with our program and community. We launched CampbellResidency.org. Thanks to Zoom and Microsoft Teams (and great sta ), we’ve sustained teaching and research schedules.

Dr. Bettin: COVID has presented unique challenges, but it has made us an even stronger organization. We have developed hybrid online learning environments for our resident educational sessions, as well as for all of our subspecialty meetings. Our residents have been exposed to telemedicine and have learned valuable lessons in how to apply this to their own practices in the future.

What makes the Campbell Residency so special?

Dr. Bettin: This residency is the most well-rounded educational training program in the country. We o er learning opportunities in all subspecialties of orthopaedics in a variety of settings, ranging from Level 1 trauma centers to private practice surgery centers. We cover hospitals in all of the major health systems in Memphis and our own state-of-the-art facilities. We attract doctors seeking hands-on experience and a terrifi c research infrastructure. In addition, our residents are some of the few in the country who receive training in the business of orthopaedics, making them better prepared to enter the workforce.

How do the orthopaedic residents serve the community and patients while completing their training?

Dr. Kelly: Our residents engage with the community through our treatment of all orthopaedic patients at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Regional One Health, and Methodist University Hospital, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for care. Residents are also engaged in projects such as Soles4Souls, international mission work to underserved countries and serving local athletes through school partnerships and outreach.

How does the Campbell Orthopaedic Surgery Residency program make Campbell Clinic stronger?

Dr. Bettin: The creativity and inquisitive nature of these conscientious, intelligent residents keeps all the teaching faculty on our toes! We must constantly strive for excellence to match their energy and enthusiasm. We also remain at the forefront of medical knowledge to ensure they receive the most current information and learn the newest techniques. The residents also extend our reach and care to more patients, particularly those who are uninsured and under-insured seen at our partner hospitals.

To you, what is most exciting/promising about medical education in, say, 2–4 years?

Dr. Bettin: I am excited for the continued integration of online learning and communication to our practice. We have an ability to engage with residency alumni across the country through online platforms during our specialty conferences and connect with colleagues and alumni in new ways.

Dr. Kelly: I am most excited about the changing demographics of the orthopaedic surgery resident. Now in the U.S., medical school classes are over 50% women. Orthopaedic surgery has traditionally been a white male-dominated specialty. As our fi eld gains more diverse professionals and perspectives, our specialty will advance in many ways. Our challenge at Campbell Clinic will be to attract and recruit diverse resident applicants at a rate equal to or greater than the rest of the nation. As access to education and advancement expands, the orthopaedic world will enjoy even more diversity of thought and leadership. This is exciting and promising.

Every day, patients in need of care and compassion see Campbell-trained physicians. Whether su ering debilitating pain or struggling to walk, patients’ needs are met and well-being restored. Your investment is important to serving patients worldwide and training generations of physicians in “the Campbell way.”