DHR Health

Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the DHR Health Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program. Our mission is to train the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons who are not only highly skilled in the operating room, but also compassionate physicians, dedicated educators, and future leaders in our field.

At DHR Health, we are committed to providing a comprehensive and rigorous training experience within a supportive environment. Our residents benefit from broad clinical exposure, high surgical volume, and mentorship from faculty who are deeply invested in your growth and success.

Our program offers a diverse operative experience across all subspecialties of orthopaedics, including trauma, sports medicine, adult reconstruction, hand and upper extremity, spine, pediatric orthopaedics, and orthopaedic oncology. From the very beginning of training, residents are actively engaged in patient care and surgical management, ensuring steady development of both clinical judgment and technical skill. Research and academic inquiry are strongly encouraged, with opportunities to present and publish at the regional and national levels.

We take pride in fostering a culture of collegiality, curiosity, and innovation. Whether at the bedside, in the operating room, or through research, you will be challenged to think critically, work collaboratively, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and patient care. Just as importantly, we prioritize resident well-being and personal development, recognizing that balanced and fulfilled physicians provide the best care for their patients.

Thank you for your interest in the DHR Health Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program. We look forward to supporting your journey and welcoming you into the DHR Health family.

Sincerely,

Kaye Kip Owen, MD
Program Director, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
DHR Health

Our Program

Mission and Program Aims

Our residents are held to high standards which align with our Sponsoring Institution's (DHR Health) mission to improve the well-being of those we serve with a commitment to excellence: every patient, every encounter, every time. DHR's vision is to create a world-class health system to advance medicine and increase access for the communities we serve by empowering caregivers to heal through compassion, knowledge, innovation, integrated care and excellence. DHR CARES defines our values which include Compassion, Accountability, Responsibility, Excellence through Knowledge, Safety and Social Conscience. The DHR Health Orthopaedic Surgery Program is dedicated to training inclusive, comprehensive orthopaedic surgeons characterized as clinicians, scholars, educators, and future leaders. Our supportive and socioeconomically diverse environment fosters academic and personal growth, as well as compassionate, high quality, patient-centered care. We are committed to serving our community, especially the underserved, by delivering excellent care always, without exception. Our mission is to provide residents with a well-rounded education and clinical experience in an educational environment beyond just the practice of medicine, such as quality improvement, patient experience, informatics, education, leadership, and advocacy. We pride ourselves on our excellent, world-class patient care as well as our family-oriented residency program.

Program Aims

To offer an innovative training program that cultivates residents, by means of progressive responsibility under supervision leading to graduated autonomy and mentorship, to become leaders with the capacity to pursue careers in orthopaedic surgery, education, research, and/or administration and earn certification from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS).
To train our residents to become a consultant to all populations of patients, including those in rural, under-represented and other special environments – for difficult or undifferentiated patient problems, or in areas in which the orthopaedic surgeon has unique expertise.
To create an educational environment that fosters scholarly activities with an emphasis on quality improvement, research, and community health to not only benefit the program but also the community and hospital system.
To promote a nurturing and collaborative atmosphere that encourages resident well-being, personal growth, and camaraderie.
To recruit and develop exemplary faculty and residents who have a passion for teaching, service and commitment to continuous improvement.
To promote the health and well-being of our multicultural and socioeconomically diverse community.
To provide access to a diverse patient population, hands-on experience in an environment of quality care, and opportunity to develop one’s talents, and sincere mentoring from dedicated faculty.

Application and Interview Process

The Graduate Medical Education Residency Program at DHR Health accepts applications through the internet based ERAS program.

Documentation submitted through ERAS must include:

Completed Application Form
Recent Photograph
CV and Personal Statement
Dean's Letter Transcript
Three Letters of Recommendation
Results of USMLE/COMLEX examinations, Steps 1 and 2

Criteria for all medical school graduates:

Passing of USMLE/COMLEX examinations on the first attempt
Graduation from medical school within the last 5 years
Graduates of medical schools outside of the U.S. and Canada must hold a current valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
Meet requirements for J-1 Visa sponsorship (if applicable)

Contact Us

Kimberly Morales

Orthopaedic Surgery Program Coordinator
1000 E Dove, Suite 201
McAllen, TX 78504
(956)362-3944

Faculty

Kip Owen, MD - Program Director (PD) Orthopaedic Surgery / Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
Sergio Rodriguez, MD - Associate Program Director / Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
Marshall Gillette, MD - Core Faculty / Orthopaedic Surgery / Orthopaedic Trauma
Jose Marina, DO - Core Faculty /Orthopaedic Surgery / Orthopaedic Surgery Department Division Chairperson
Salvador Mendez, MD - Core Faculty / Orthopaedic Surgery
Patrick Sander, MD - Core Faculty / Orthopaedic Surgery / Orthopaedic Sport Medicine
Michael Serra Torres, MD - Core Faculty / Orthopaedic Surgery / Orthopaedic Trauma
Christopher Comstock, MD - Core Faculty Member / Orthopedic Surgery / Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Robert Quinn, MD - Core Faculty Member / Musculoskeletal Oncology
Mark Casillas, MD - Core Faculty Member / Orthopaedic Surgery / Foot and Ankle

Our Curriculum

Learn more about our Orthopaedic Surgery Residency program below.

Learn More

Benefits and Stipend

Stipends

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

DHR Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. We know that diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact, by generating varied perspectives and in turn better ideas to solve complex problems. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills and views, by ensuring fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all residents, faculty, and staff. We strive to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups, due to race, ethnicity, language, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, physical or mental disability, and others.

We appreciate the unique abilities and perspectives of our diverse workforce and community. By creating an environment where faculty, physicians, residents, fellows, and staff can be their true selves at work without fear of judgment, we aim to foster creativity, raise productivity, and improve organizational performance. We believe that all our faculty, physicians, residents/fellows, and staff play the critical role in the overall success of the organization and the vision we have for our community. We create a sense of belonging at the workplace, where employees are appreciated for their unique contributions, recognized for their accomplishments, supported in their career goals, and have a sense of connection to how they are positively impacting their community.

Through community partnerships, we generate transformation within our institution as a means of advocating for better care for our patients, creating a more diverse physician workforce, and serving our community. We strive to promote social justice by advocating for equitable health care, without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, social status, or ability to pay. We are committed to an organizational culture that will connect our residents and fellows to the organization; encourage collaboration, flexibility and fairness; and leverage diversity throughout the organization, so that all residents and fellows will be able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

DHR Health recruits resident/fellow applicants underrepresented in medicine (UIM) for advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The DHR Health GME Diversity Committee is included in all planning phases of faculty and resident/fellow recruitment, selection, and retention and includes hospital leaders, GME representatives, and residents/fellows.

Resident Life

Our Commitment to Wellness

Counseling services provided to residents and faculty are available Monday-Friday from 8am - 8pm and on weekends from 9am - 6pm. Call 956-362-2732 to set up an appointment.
24/7 Security Assistance Hotline (956) 739-0717

Resources

GME Resident and Fellow Confidential Reporting Portal

Our Community

The Rio Grande Valley is a region in deep South Texas, beautifully rich in culture.

Housing Options

The Village at Renaissance Apartments