Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors

To facilitate excellence in musculoskeletal graduate medical education, the AOA’s Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors (CORD) leads the advancement of best practices by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and the search for solutions to major challenges.

CORD Resources

AOA/SOMOS Faculty Development Lecture Series

In collaboration with the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons, AOA produced these downloadable lectures to offer a robust, on-demand, and current resource for education skill development of orthopaedic faculty.

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Transition to Practice Lecture Series

Developed by the AOA Fellowship Education Coalition, these downloadable lectures aid Fellowship and Residency Program Directors in educating fellows and senior level residents in all subspecialties, focused on critical topics for transition to independent practice.

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Top Content

The History of Academic Leadership Education in Orthopaedic Surgery

Read the article in JBJS

The growth of the American academic orthopaedic community over the last 53 years has been accompanied by an expanding need for academic leadership education. Written and published by two leaders in the orthopaedic surgery academic community, this article traces the history and relevance of the AOA’s Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors (CORD) program.

AOA/CORD Statement on Inclusivity

The AOA/CORD leadership condemns all racist and misogynistic behavior displayed by resident applicants recently discovered in a crowd-sourced document. The AOA aspires to build a future where orthopaedics is inclusive, diverse, and equitable. Read the full statement by AOA leadership.

Now Available: Orthopaedic Residency Information Network (ORIN)â„¢

Medical Student Resource

CORD is pleased to announce the launch of the Orthopaedic Residency Information Network. Medical students can harness ORIN to research programs across a variety of parameters.

Electronic Standardized Letter of Recommendation

Resource for Applicants and Letter Authors 
The eSLOR provides orthopaedic residency programs a concise perspective on a candidate. It replaces a separate narrative letter of recommendation.

CORD offers program membership, providing benefits to multiple educational leaders within one program such as the residency program director, department chair, program manager/coordinator, fellowship director, and other educational leaders affiliated with the program. With nearly all US ACGME-accredited residency programs as members of CORD and including several Canadian programs, the community is all-encompassing – small, large, residency, fellowship, osteopathic, allopathic, transition from medical school and to practice – all vital representation within the diverse CORD community.

CORD Exchange

This forum facilitates member-to-member discussions of issues related to resident/fellow education and programs. The community is for CORD member institutions only.

Access the CORD Exchange (Login is required. Access is limited to CORD program affiliates only.)

CORD Education

CORD conferences are held twice per year. A spring conference is held during the AAOS Annual Meeting and a longer conference at the AOA Annual Meeting. Additional Town Halls and Webinars are held throughout the year to discuss critical issues in education.

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Students & Residents

Helping to impact the future, The American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) develops leaders, strategies, and resources to promote advances in musculoskeletal care.

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Save the Date for the 2025 Summer CORD Conference
Save the Date for the 2025 Summer CORD Conference
Save the Date for the 2025 Summer CORD Conference in Minneapolis, MN.
Recorded Webinars, Conferences and Town Halls
Virtual CORD programming presented live and recorded for future viewing.
CORD Education