Largo Medical Center Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program in its Second Year
By John N. Harker, DO, Program Director; and Christine Hanna, Administrative Director
The new Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program at Largo Medical Center builds on a long tradition of excellence in orthopedic surgery and medical education. The program began training residents on July 1, 2010 and is now in its second year of operation. Approved by the AOA to train five residents total, the program is proud to have the following residents currently in training:
- Justin Collinet, DO, PGY3 (Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2008)
- Matthew Hutchison, DO, PGY3 (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Class of 2009)
- Aaron Koslin, DO, PGY2 (Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2010)
- Mark (Nick) Perenich, DO, PGY2 (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2010)
Under the leadership of John N. Harker, DO, six core faculty members train residents in general and subspecialty techniques. Three faculty members—Dr. Harker, Dr. M. Christopher McLaren and Dr. Steven R. Wood—are osteopathic surgeons. Three faculty members—Dr. John C. Drygas, Dr. Kevin L. Scott and Dr. Scott M. Wisotsky—are allopathic surgeons. All faculty members are deeply committed to teaching and the continual improvement of the program. The program benefits from the depth and breadth of the case volume available in Pinellas County, Florida. The OMT expertise of the Osteopathic faculty members and residents is used to benefit patients, who enjoy increased comfort and decreased recovery times.
The program provides five or more hours of structured didactics each week. The Fracture Conference takes place on Mondays at 6:30 am. Friday afternoons from 1:00 to 5:00 pm are protected for didactics. Journal Club, lectures, case presentations and other educational activities occur at this time.
Residents spend a total of three months at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center to receive Trauma subspecialty experience, and a total of three months at Children’s Medical Center of Dayton for Pediatrics subspecialty experience. Three months of training in Foot & Ankle surgery is also provided. These rotations take place in the thirrd and fourth year of training. Residents attend the AO Basic Principles & Techniques of Operative Fracture Management course in the second year. A formal pathology curriculum is provided to residents and students. An educational stipend provides residents with financial support to attend academic conferences and purchase specialty-related books and equipment.
Largo Medical Center, which is a for-profit hospital owned by the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), is a 456 bed facility located on two campuses. Services provided include breast care at the Florida Breast Institute, knee and orthopedic care at the Florida Knee and Orthopedic Pavilion, comprehensive cardiac care, and respite care at the Retreat at Indian Rocks. Largo Medical Center also provides emergency services, spine care, inpatient rehabilitation, behavioral medicine, sleep disorder treatment, wound care and more.
Largo Medical Center is the largest Osteopathic medical education program in the southeastern United States and is one of nine designated Statutory Teaching Hospitals in the state of Florida. Anthony N. Ottaviani, DO, serves as the Director of Medical Education and Chief Academic Officer. As the West Coast Academic Center of Nova Southeastern University, Largo Medical Center trains over 500 medical students each year. On July 1, 2012, Largo Medical Center will have 125 residents and fellows training in seven residency and five fellowship programs. This robust academic environment provides a stimulating and collaborative experience in which to hone orthopedic surgery skills.
For more information about the Orthopedic Surgery program, contact Christine Hanna, ADME at christine.hanna@hcahealthcare.com, or call the Office of Medical Education at 727-586-7103.
