Orthopedic Surgery Residency
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Welcome to Our Residency
A decades-long tradition of academics sets Houston Methodist apart from other institutions. Many nationally-known full-time teaching faculty team up to provide you the best clinical experience possible with abundant resources for education and an emphasis on your personal development as an orthopedic surgeon. A strong academic affiliation with Weill Cornell Medical College provides an anchor for educational excellence. For more than 50 years, Houston Methodist has served as a place where patients receive excellent care and residents receive outstanding medical training.
Our Team
Chief Residents
Message from the Program Director
Houston Methodist has been a teaching hospital in Orthopaedics since the early 1940’s—first for the University of Texas, then for Baylor College of Medicine, and now as an independent academic institution-- and has been home (and center for major discoveries) for many of the greatest academic surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons in the country including DeBakey and Harrington. As such, we have a long history of dedication to the best clinical care, cutting-edge research, medical student and resident education, and giving back to community. And it is these ‘four legs’ that define our program. Our residents graduate having become solid surgeons, capable researchers, dedicated teachers, and good medical citizens; ready to pursue top-flight fellowships and academic careers, or simply to bring these skills to smaller local communities.
We hope you take an opportunity to become familiar with our program at Houston Methodist. We encourage you to browse the website and to consider a visit.
Shari Liberman, MD
Program Director, Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program
Kevin Varner, MD – Department Chair
Shari Liberman, MD – Program Director
Michelle Coleman, MD – Associate Program Director
Joshua Harris, MD
Jason Ahuero, MD
Timothy Brown, MD
William Bryan, MD
Darrell Hanson, MD
Robert Jack, MD
Koroush Jafarnia, MD
Kwan 'Kevin' Park, MD
Brian Parsley, MD
Patrick McCulloch, MD
Robert Neff, MD
Mark Prasarn, MD
Jeffrey Ratusznik, MD
John Seaberg, MD
Karim Shafi, MD
Joshua Woody, MD
Scott McKay, MD
Attending Physician, Texas Children's Hospital
Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine (Pediatric Rotation)
Ravi Karia, MD
Active Medical Staff Instructor, UTHSCSA – San Antonio, Texas (Ortho Trauma Rotation)
Valerae Lewis, MD
Active Medical Staff Instructor, Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, MD Anderson – Houston, Texas (Orthopedic Oncology Rotation)
Chief Residents
Marty Vemu, MD
Sree 'Marty' Vemu is from San Antonio, Texas, and earned his medical degree from McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. His decision to pursue orthopedics was shaped by his father’s spinal cord injury and his passion for restoring mobility, leading to a strong interest in spine surgery. His favorite aspects of Houston Methodist are the mentorship model, high operative volume, and opportunities to individualize training and pursue research. He met his wife, Adwaita, a PhD candidate at Baylor College of Medicine, during residency. Marty is currently serving as chief resident for the 25–26 academic year and will be pursuing a spine surgery fellowship at Cedars-Sinai. Outside of medicine, he enjoys playing golf and tennis, trying new restaurants, and spending time with his wife, their goldendoodle, and newborn daughter, Mira.
Sanjiv Gopalkrishnan, MD
Sanjiv Gopalkrishnan was born and raised in Houston, Texas. We went to Rice University where he studied Mechanical Engineering and played baseball. He earned his medical degree from Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin where he also completed his Masters of Business Administration at McCombs. His favorite aspects of Methodist are the mentorship model, early and ample sports coverage opportunities, and elective flexibility. He will be completing his Sports Medicine fellowship at Inova in Fairfax, Virginia. Outside of medicine, Sanjiv enjoys spending his free time with his wife Amanda, going to Houston sports events, and eating his way through town
Jennifer Liu, MD
Jennifer Liu is originally from Plano, Texas. She went to Washington University in St. Louis where she studied biomedical engineering. She earned her medical degree at UT Southwestern. Her favorite aspects of Methodist are the early operative experience, abundant elective time, and extensive research support. She is pursuing an Adult Reconstruction fellowship at UCSF after residency. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, playing with her dogs (Echo and Meimei) and cat (Mango), and hanging out with her husband (Jim).
Eligibility and Application
Houston Methodist Hospital participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP):
Criteria
- All PGY-1 positions are offered through the NRMP.
- Applications must be processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
- Paper applications are not accepted.
- "Pre-Match" positions are not offered.
- All applications are carefully reviewed with selected applicants notified electronically to interview through ERAS.
- Please limit inquiries into application status.
Houston Methodist is committed to improving the health of our patients, employees, and communities around us. As a health care provider, it’s our responsibility to promote a healthier environment for our employees.
Responsibility
- Drug and Tobacco Screening- Job seekers will be tested for nicotine and drug usage during the post-offer physical. If a job seeker tests positive for nicotine use, including nicotine gum and patches, the offer will be rescinded, and individuals will be given the opportunity to participate in a free Houston Methodist-provided tobacco cessation program. Job seekers wishing to reapply after testing positive for nicotine may do so 90 days after the date the initial offer was rescinded. If the job seeker tests positive for drug use, the offer will be rescinded. Job seekers wishing to reapply after the drug screening is positive may do so one year after the date the initial offer was rescinded.
- Background Check - Prior to employment start date, job seekers must complete a criminal background check.
All applicants must submit the necessary forms to be considered:
Materials
- A common ERAS application form
- A dean’s letter (MSPE) and at least two (3) other letters of recommendation (all letters of recommendation should be current or within the last 2 years)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Official medical school transcript
- Personal statement
- Must have passed USMLEs steps 1 and 2 on first attempt (minimum score of 240 is required for Step 2)
- Graduation from medical school within the last year
Important Dates
Application Deadline: November 1st;
Interview Season: Interviews will be held in person this year and will start in January 2026.
Medical Student rotation
The Houston Methodist Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program offers medical student rotations for fourth-year medical students interested in pursuing an orthopedic surgery residency. Rotations are offered in August through December. In order to apply for the rotation, you must contact our residency coordinator expressing interest and include your CV (resume) and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score (P/F); must have passed on first attempt. This information is then presented to the Program Director and Assistant Program Director for evaluation and selection. If selected, the student will be forwarded to our graduate medical education (GME) office for credentialing and processing.
Completing a rotator application through our GME office does not guarantee a formal rotation. All students are selected by the program director. Students must have prior approval from the program before completing GME paperwork.
Our program is currently not involved with VSAS.
Linked here, you can find the MS4 goals and objectives and overall program goals and objectives.
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
Houston, TX
Chicago, IL
Milwaukee, WI
Chicago, IL
Galveston, TX
College Station, TX and Houston, Tx
Rochester, MI
Houston, Tx
Our Alumni
Class of 2025
Justin Aflatooni, MD – Adult Recon. Fellowship, The Rubin Institute - Baltimore, MD
Alysa Birnbrich, MD – Hand Surgery Fellowship, Univ. of Arizona - Phoenix, Az
Richard Fuld, MD – Orthopedic Trauma Fellowship, Harvard Mass General - Boston, MA
Andrew George, MD – Sports Medicine Fellowship, Stanford Univ. - Stanford, CA
Class of 2024
Brian Phelps, MD – Spine Surgery Fellowship, Washington University - St. Louis, MO
Austin Wininger, MD – Adult Recon. Fellowship, Mayo Univeristy - Phoenix, AZ
Class of 2023
Michael Cotton, MD – Foot & Ankle Fellowship, Mercy Medical Center - Institute for Foot & Ankle Recon. Baltimore, MD
Alex Han, MD – Hand Surgery Fellowship, University of California- San Francisco
Takashi Hirase, MD – Spine Surgery Fellowship, HSS, New York, NY
Oncology Fellowship, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Class of 2022
Rachel Bratescu, MD – Spine Surgery Fellowship, NYU-Langone, New York City, NY
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Fellowship, Weill Cornell , New York, NY
Stephanie Gardner, MD – Foot and Ankle Fellowship, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, Memphis, TN
Varan Haghshenas, MD – Spine Surgery Fellowship, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
Class of 2021
Derek Klavas, MD – Foot and Ankle Fellowship, Rush University, Chicago, IL
Hannah Morehouse, MD – General Orthopedics Practice, United States, Air Force
Hudson Seidel, MD – Hand Fellowship, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA
Class of 2020
Andrew Kay, MD – Adult Recon. Fellowship, Rothman Institute, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Katherine Miller, MD – Pediatric Orthopedic Fellowship, Seattle Children's Hosp., Seattle, WA;
Paley Pediatric Limb Deformity Fellowship, West Palm Beach, FL
Angelina Vera, MD – Sports Medicine Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ
Class of 2019
Robert Jack, MD – Sports Medicine Fellowship, Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA
Carlos Mehexu, MD – Adult Recon. Fellowship, Florida Orthopedic Institute, Tampa Bay, FL
Kyle Sochacki, MD - Sports Medicine Fellowship, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Class of 2018
Derek Bernstein, MD – Hand Fellowship, Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA
Nickolas Boutris, MD – Sports Medicine Fellowship, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City, NY
Class of 2017
Matthew Burn, MD – Hand Fellowship, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Ronald Mitchell, MD – General Orthopedics Practice, United States Navy
Kevin Smith, MD – Sports Medicine Fellowship, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Class of 2016
Jason Alder, MD – Spine Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Preston Smith, MD – Sports Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Andrea Gale, MD – Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship, Humphrey Shoulder Clinic, Boise, ID;
Hand & Upper Extremity Fellowship, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT
Curriculum
PGY-1
Rotation | Duration |
---|---|
General Ortho | 6 months |
Vascular Surgery | 1 month |
Emergency Medicine | 1 month |
SICU | 1 month |
Plastic Surgery | 1 month |
General Surgery Trauma (MHH) | 1 month |
Rheumatology | 1 month |
PGY-3
Rotation | Duration |
---|---|
Joints | 2 months |
Pediatric Ortho (TCH-West) | 2 months |
Ortho Trauma (San Antonio) | 4 months |
Research | 2 months |
Adult Reconstruction | 2 months |
PGY-5
Rotation | Duration |
---|---|
Electives | 6 months |
Hand | 2 months |
Pediatric Ortho (TOH) | 2 months |
Sports (WB/HMH) | 2 months |
PGY-2
Rotation | Duration |
---|---|
Oncology (MDA) | 2 months |
Pediatric Ortho (TCH-West) | 2 months |
Foot and Ankle | 2 months |
Hand | 2 months |
Sports Medicine | 2 months |
Spine | 2 months |
PGY-4
Rotation | Duration |
---|---|
Research/Elective | 2 months |
Foot and Ankle | 2 months |
Adult Reconstruction | 4 months |
Sports (WB/HMH) | 2 months |
Spine | 2 months |
Get In Touch
Program Contact
Senior Residency Coordinator
6445 Main St. Ste. 2500
Houston, Tx 77030
713.441.3556 - Phone
Email: afbryan@houstonmethodist.org
Program Director
Shari Liberman, MD
Program Director
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
6445 Main St., Suite 2500
Houston, TX 77030
Upcoming Academic Events
Grand rounds, tumor boards, regularly scheduled series and case presentations are offered in multiple clinical disciplines and Houston Methodist locations.
2025 CTSA Symposium
Houston Methodist Research Institute
Randall J. Urban, MD
Sep 08 @ 10AM
See Details
Centers of Excellence Seminar Series
Houston Methodist Research Institute
John P. Cooke, MD, PhD
Sep 09 @ 12PM
See Details19,600
Grand Rounds conducted in 2023Donate to Houston Methodist
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