Orthopaedic Surgery Residency

Welcome to Creighton University’s Orthopaedic Residency Program

The Creighton University School of Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program is a comprehensive five-year training program dedicated to developing outstanding orthopaedic surgeons through rigorous clinical training, structured education and a strong culture of professionalism and scholarship.

Beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year, the program will recruit through the National Resident Matching Program and will accept five residents per year.  

Explore how we are building the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons at Creighton.

Primary training sites include:

  • CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center – Bergan Mercy  
  • CHI Health Lakeside  
  • Additional affiliated sites that provide high-volume, subspecialty and tertiary care experiences across the Omaha region, including trauma, sports medicine, hand, spine, oncology and pediatric orthopaedics.

Residents rotate through a broad spectrum of clinical environments that balance tertiary referral care, community practice exposure, and academic rigor.

Program Mission and Aims

Our Mission

To train technically excellent, ethically grounded and intellectually curious orthopaedic surgeons who are prepared to excel in independent practice, fellowship training or academic medicine while serving diverse patient populations with compassion and integrity. 

Our Aims

The program seeks to develop graduates who:

  • Demonstrate mastery of core orthopaedic knowledge and surgical skills, progressing from foundational principles to advanced, subspecialty-level competence.
  • Exhibit exemplary patient care, including clear communication, professionalism, and systems-based practice.
  • Engage in scholarly activity, including research, quality improvement, and critical appraisal of the literature.
  • Function effectively within multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating leadership, collaboration, and ethical decision-making.
  • Provide high-quality, patient-centered care across a full spectrum of orthopaedic conditions, including trauma, sports medicine, spine, hand, joints, oncology, and pediatric orthopaedics.  

Clinical Rotations

Orthopaedic Trauma

Residents gain comprehensive experience in the evaluation and management of high- and low-energy musculoskeletal trauma, including operative and non-operative care, fracture fixation principles and multidisciplinary trauma management. Emphasis is placed on clinical judgment, surgical technique and systems-based care in a busy tertiary trauma environment.

Adult Reconstruction (Joints)

Residents manage primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty patients, including perioperative planning, templating, intraoperative technique and postoperative care pathways. Senior residents lead the service, coordinate multidisciplinary care and gain deep exposure to complex arthroplasty decision-making.

Sports Medicine and Shoulder

Training focuses on the evaluation and treatment of athletic injuries of the shoulder, knee, hip and elbow. Residents develop proficiency in arthroscopy, soft tissue reconstruction and sports-specific injury management while participating in weekly MRI and case conferences.

Hand and Upper Extremity

A high-volume service emphasizing complex trauma, microvascular surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, tendon repair and elective hand reconstruction. Residents gain deep experience in clinical decision-making, splinting, rehabilitation and advanced surgical techniques.

Spine (Creighton/Nebraska Spine)

A comprehensive spine experience covering degenerative, traumatic, neoplastic and congenital conditions. Residents participate in weekly case conferences, structured didactics and operative exposure ranging from decompression to complex reconstruction. 

Orthopaedic Oncology

Residents are exposed to benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors and participate in interdisciplinary tumor board, advanced imaging review and surgical management of oncologic conditions. 

Pediatric Orthopaedics (Shriners Hospital – Chicago)

A dedicated pediatric rotation where residents develop expertise in pediatric musculoskeletal disorders, growth-related conditions and advanced pediatric surgical techniques, with strong emphasis on professionalism and communication.

How to Apply to the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency

Applicants must apply through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for the 2026–2027 Match Cycle.

Requirements 

  • Successful completion of an ACGME-accredited medical degree.
  • Strong clinical performance in orthopaedics and related fields.
  • Demonstrated professionalism, teamwork, and scholarly engagement.
  • Competitive letters of recommendation.
  • USMLE/COMLEX performance consistent with national standards.

Application materials, deadlines, and interview information will be available through ERAS and the Creighton Orthopaedic Surgery website. 

Image
Ranjan Gupta

Message from the Program Director and Department Chair

Our residency is built on a simple but uncompromising principle: we train surgeons who are as excellent in character as they are in technical skill.

At Creighton, you will be immersed in high-acuity clinical care, mentored by nationally respected faculty, and challenged to think critically about the science and ethics of orthopaedics. We expect rigor, curiosity, and humility — and in return, we commit to your growth, your education, and your success.

We are excited to welcome our inaugural class of residents into a program designed not merely to teach orthopaedic surgery, but to shape the next generation of leaders in our field.

Ranjan Gupta, MD 
Professor, Program Director and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Program Leadership

John R. Green, MD

Ranjan Gupta, MD

Dana J. Hess, MD

Kellen L. Huston, MD

Gangadasu S. Reddy, MBBS

Clayton C. Thor, MD

Nicholas K. Wischmeier, MD

Our Current Residents
PGY 1

Image
Diane Ghanem

Diane Ghanem
Johns Hopkins University
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Research Interests: Trauma, AI in Orthopaedics, Bone Health and Osteoporosis, Medical Education, Health Systems and Quality Improvement
Personal Interests: Soccer/Futsal, Horseback Riding, Traveling, and AI in Healthcare

Image
Armand Berry

Armand Berry
Long School of Medicine -UT Health San Antonio
Hometown: Mannheim, Germany
Research Interests: Joints, Trauma, and Sports
Personal Interests: Golf, basketball, Dogs and Live Music

Image
Aidan Gaertner

Aidan Gaertner
Creighton University School of Medicine
Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
Research Interests: Shoulder, Sports and Trauma
Personal Interests: Football, Basketball and Card Games

 

Image
Ryan Lew

Ryan Lew
MidWest Orthopaedics at Rush University
Hometown: San Marino, CA
Research Interests: Biomechanics, Shoulder and Elbow
Personal Interests: BBQ, Coffee, Sports and Running

Image
Peter Boufadel

Peter Boufadel
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University
Hometown: Beit Mery, Lebanon
Research Interests: Shoulder & Elbow Surgery and Sports Medicine
Personal Interests: Soccer, Skiing, Hiking and Traveling

Contact

OrthopaedicSurgeryResidencyProgram@creighton.edu
CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy 
7500 Mercy Rd, Omaha, NE 68124

Program Director 
Ranjan Gupta, MD
Ranjangupta@creighton.edu