Applications & Interviews

Department Head: 
Robert D. Zura, MD

Residency Director: 
Michael Hartman, MD

Program Overview

• Total residents: 22
• Residents appointed annually: 5
• Residency start date: July 1
• ACGME Program Number: 2602121141

Application Deadline: November 1
Match Participation: NRMP (via ERAS)

2026 Interview Dates:

• Friday, January 9, 2026
• Friday, January 23, 2026
• A welcome reception will be tentatively scheduled on the Thursday evening prior to each interview date.

Application Process

Applications are accepted exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). International medical graduates should apply via ECFMG-ERAS.

Required Application Materials

All required materials must be submitted through ERAS (or ECFMG-ERAS for FMGs):

• Curriculum vitae (ERAS format acceptable)
• Letters of recommendation (one letter from an orthopaedic department chair, chief, or program director is preferred but not required)
• USMLE or COMLEX scores (Steps/Levels 1 and 2; no minimum score requirement)
• Medical school transcript
• Personal statement
• MSPE (Dean’s Letter)
• ECFMG certificate (for FMGs, if applicable)

Materials Not Accepted

Please do not submit the following:

• Additional CVs outside of ERAS
• Undergraduate transcripts
• SAT or MCAT scores
• Hard copies of any application materials

Applicants are encouraged to use the ERAS Applicant Document Tracking System to verify receipt of all required materials.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for appointment to this ACGME-accredited residency program, applicants must meet the following requirements (no exceptions):

• Applicants must have taken and passed USMLE or COMLEX Parts/Levels 1 and 2 within three attempts.
• These requirements are mandated by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and LSU School of Medicine institutional policy and are necessary to obtain a Louisiana resident training license.

Applicants who have not yet taken Part/Level 2 at the time of application may still apply. Once Part/Level 2 has been completed and results are available, applicants must update ERAS and notify the residency coordinator by email.

Although not required, applicants are encouraged to notify the program once Part/Level 2 has been passed prior to submission of the NRMP rank order list. If matched, official scores must be uploaded to ERAS before the system closes.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule licensing examinations early to ensure timely reporting of results prior to the residency start date.

Selection Criteria

Applicants are selected for interview based on a holistic review of their application, including:

• Academic performance (medical school transcript with an emphasis on clerkship grades)
• Step 1 & Step 2 performance
• Research experience
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal experiences (leadership roles, work experience, community service)

Additional personal attributes considered fundamental to the selection process include:

• Character
• Desire to train at LSU
• Program fit
• Ethics

The program participates in the Universal Interview Offer Day. Final rank decisions are based on the personal interview and comprehensive review of the above criteria.

Interview Process

Welcome Reception

The LSU Department of Orthopaedic Surgery hosts a welcome reception for interview candidates on the evening prior to the interview day. This event provides applicants with an opportunity to meet faculty, alumni, and current residents in a relaxed setting while enjoying local New Orleans cuisine. The reception is typically held at Mother’s Restaurant. We understand that applicants’ travel arrangements will vary, therefore, attendance at the reception is by no means mandatory.

Interview Day

The interview day begins with a program overview and welcome from the Department Chair and Program Director. Applicants are then divided into two groups, with one group interviewing while the other group touring the University Medical Center, the LSU Center for Advanced Practice, and the LSU Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation.

Interviews are conducted in multiple rooms and consist of five interviews per applicant. Interview sessions are typically 10–15 minutes in length and include:

• Interview with the Department Chair
• Interview with the Program Director and Assistant Program Director
• Interview with the current Chief Residents
• Interview with research faculty
• Interview with clinical faculty

Interview days conclude around 12:00 PM for morning sessions and approximately 4:00 PM for afternoon sessions.

Current residents are available throughout the day to answer questions and provide insight into the program. Residents also present information regarding the curriculum, rotation structure, call responsibilities, and resident life in the great city of New Orleans.

Contact Information

For questions regarding the application or interview process, please contact:

Linda Flot
Residency Coordinator, LSU Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
2021 Perdido Street, 7th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 568-4680
Fax: (504) 568-4466
Email: lflot@lsuhsc.edu