Page 15 - Endowment Report 2022 | University of Rochester

Training orthopaedic

surgical residents

P. Christopher Cook, MD

SUPPORTED IN PART BY THE WILLIAM AND JUDY THORPE ENDOWMENT

As a surgeon, P. Christopher Cook, MD, the Dr. C. McCollister These labs, and the equipment in them, rely heavily on the funding of
Evarts Professor in Orthopaedics, chief of the pediatric generous donors such as William P. Thorpe ’81M (Res) and his wife, Judy.
orthopaedic division, and head of resident training for For instance, in the current Kenneth DeHaven Skills (KEDS) Laboratory at
orthopaedic surgery, has dedicated his career to helping UR Medicine’s Sawgrass Surgical Center, the Thorpes’ funding has allowed
children with bone issues. These issues span infections, birth defects, residents to learn techniques such as drilling a pin into bone and practicing
spinal deformities, and trauma to bones and joints from all causes, including arthroscopy using simulation software. (Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive
sports injuries. He knew this would be his life’s work after an orthopaedic surgical procedure that DeHaven, the first chief of sports medicine in the
rotation during medical school. orthopaedics department, helped pioneer. It is now practiced worldwide for
joint repair and ACL reconstruction.)
“That rotation set my career path,” says Cook. “Combining my interest in
both pediatrics and orthopaedic surgery has allowed me to help children in The Thorpes’ gift will also make a significant impact on what will be
a hands-on way, both of which were, and remain, important to me.” Cook offered in the new Orthopaedic & Physical Performance Center. The
knows the difference that excellent training can make. That’s why he not KEDS Lab will move to a space four times larger at the new location.
only works with children but also with surgical residents. “In the new KEDS Lab, our orthopaedic residents will get to practice a
In his supervisory training role, Cook is responsible for overseeing variety of techniques including using equipment such as sawbones—these
resident education, curriculum, and well-being, as well as the application are composite bone models designed to simulate real bones,” says Cook.
process. The resident training program offers learning opportunities “Residents will also train using a variety of virtual reality programs, which
across all orthopaedic specialties, too, and is very selective. Every year, will allow them to practice and observe what they are doing as they are
up to 800 medical students apply for the eight available spots. Cook and doing it and make corrections along the way.”
department leadership interview about 120 applicants, then pare down to
The Thorpes’ support will facilitate innovative collaborative learning at the
fill the coveted positions. His goal is to make sure that residents become
new center, too. Experts like Cook will be able to link various classrooms
competent, well-rounded surgeons who are well-versed in patient care and
to the UR Medicine’s 150-person auditorium and to operating rooms so
surgical skills.
people can work and learn together no matter where they are.
“We offer our residents a variety of state-of-the-art training programs that
helps them gain the essential surgical skills they need before entering the Adds Cook, “As with computers, which tend to double in speed and power
operating room to work on real patients,” he says. “It’s a distinguishing every 18 months or so, there’s a constant need for us to bring in new
aspect of what the orthopaedic department offers, and it draws the most equipment and techniques. The Thorpes’ generosity helps us do that and
qualified residents.” keeps us on the cutting edge of surgical technology and training.”

UR Medicine’s Orthopaedic & Physical Performance Center
The new UR Medicine’s Orthopaedics & Physical Performance Center at Marketplace
Mall in Rochester, NY, which is slated to fully open in late 2023, will offer easy access,
the latest and best approaches to care, and a full range of musculoskeletal services
for patients of all ages and abilities. This includes all the expertise, facilities, and
equipment needed to diagnose and treat bone, muscle, spine, and joint conditions. It
also includes an array of medical imaging, physical therapy, sports medicine, athletic
training, injury prevention, and nutrition/mind-body wellness services. Everything
will be available under one roof, too, which will create an orthopaedics campus
unlike any other in the Northeast. Philanthropy like the Thorpes’ has provided vital
support for the center and the education and training that will happen there.
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