Chiefs' Welcome
Welcome to the William Beaumont Army Medical Center/Texas Tech Health El Paso Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program.
We appreciate your interest in what we truly believe is one of the most dynamic and well-rounded orthopaedic training programs in the country. Our program is built on a foundation of high surgical volume, academic excellence, and resident camaraderie.
One of the most unique aspects of this program is our seamless integration of military and civilian training. Whether military or civilian, all residents train side by side across William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) and University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC), with the added benefit of scrubbing cases at nearly every hospital in El Paso. The variety of practice settings and patient populations is unmatched.
Our residency provides comprehensive exposure to every orthopaedic subspecialty, allowing each resident to explore their interests, pursue fellowship training, or develop into an exceptionally capable generalist. Year after year, our graduates go on to match at top fellowships across the country.
We take academics seriously. Every week, we have a protected day dedicated to resident education—complete with didactic sessions, anatomy labs, hands-on surgical skills training, and lectures from visiting faculty. These are reinforced by regular case conferences and journal clubs, which encourage us to challenge each other, stay current, and grow together. Our program consistently scores in the top percentile on the Orthopaedic Inservice Training Exam (OITE).
Mentorship is at the core of how we train. Residents work closely with experienced, fellowship-trained attendings who are deeply committed to education and invested in our success. The mentorship you receive here is personal, consistent, and career-shaping.
Research is also a major strength. If you’re interested in publishing, you’ll find more than enough opportunity—our residents routinely graduate with multiple peer-reviewed publications, and our faculty are active contributors to national orthopaedic literature.
What truly sets this program apart is our people. Our residents are a close-knit team who support one another in and out of the hospital. We work hard, push each other, and genuinely enjoy our time together—whether it’s a long call night, a post-op debrief, or a weekend cookout.
El Paso is a city that surprises people. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, it offers unbeatable weather, great outdoor access, and the unique culture of a border community. It’s a place where you can live well, train hard, and be part of something special.
As a graduate of this program, you will leave with confidence in your surgical skills, a deep base of orthopaedic knowledge, and lasting friendships with people who’ve shared the journey with you.
I hope you’ll take the time to learn more about our program—and see for yourself what makes it such a special place to train.
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Dr. Reid Tompkins, Administrative Chief |
Dr. Cole Johnson, Academic Chief |