Marshall University ’ s Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program
Since its inception in 2004 , Marshall University ’ s Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program has brought some of the nation ’ s best and brightest to the Mountain State with its missions of excellence in clinical care , education , research and philanthropy . The comprehensive , five-year training program matched its first post-graduate year one and post-graduate year two residents in 2008 and has continued to match three positions every year since , and its residents ’ Orthopaedic In-Training Examination scores have consistently ranked above the 90th percentile nationally .
In order to gain hands-on experience , residents undergo three-month clinical rotations , during which they are paired with an attending in their specialty , allowing for one-on-one training and mentoring . Each resident also has the opportunity to attend three annual away courses during years
two through five . In addition , the program provides funding for any resident to attend a conference in which they have a paper , poster or podium presentation accepted . The goal is to turn residents into excellent , well-rounded orthopaedic surgeons .
“ We want residents who will affect their communities as we have affected ours ,” says Ali Oliashirazi , M . D ., chair and residency director .
The program offers multiple orthopaedic resident rotations , such as total joint arthroplasty , orthopaedic oncology , sports medicine , orthopaedic trauma , hand and upper extremity , foot and ankle , spine , basic science and orthopaedic pediatrics .
of my position is making sure the right individuals are in the right positions and helping everyone advance and succeed to meet their own individual career goals .”
When he ’ s not teaching or performing surgery , Oliashirazi can be found at Cabell Huntington Hospital ’ s Joint Replacement Center — where he has served as director for more than 15 years — furthering his impact on West Virginians through technological advances .
“ We are one of the most technologically advanced programs and one of the first in the country and the world to do computer-assisted orthopaedic surgeries and robotic orthopaedic surgeries ,” he says .
Oliashirazi believes he owes much of his success to his mother , who showed him the true meaning of kindness and grit .
“ We moved to the U . S . from Iran when I was 11 years old ,” he says . “ Despite not knowing the language and hitting some challenges , she was able to get back on her feet . I think the compassion , hard work and grit I learned from her have helped
propel me through challenges over the course of my life .”
Of his many accolades , there is one that changed the trajectory of Oliashirazi ’ s life .
“ There is a framed report card in my study from eighth grade — the year I moved to the U . S . I did not speak English ,” he says . “ I used to regularly stay up well past midnight , translating words and phrases with my English-to-Persian dictionary so I could piecemeal the information together . I started with Cs and Fs and ended the last quarter with all As on that report card .”
Oliashirazi and his family feel blessed to call Huntington , WV , home .
“ West Virginia gave us a home and an opportunity to make a difference and leave the world a little better than we found it ,” he says . “ The genuine , heartfelt and deep support are unparalleled . I tell everyone our community is magical , and I cannot imagine a kinder , more compassionate place .” •
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