Dr. Fadia Kamal works in a lab in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at Penn State College of Medicine in August 2017. She is holding a pipette in one hand and a small dish in the other and looking toward the camera.

Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at Penn State College of Medicine

The mission of the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation is to provide extraordinary musculoskeletal and comprehensive rehabilitative patient care to restore function and improve quality of life; to excel in education; to cultivate translational science; and to inspire innovation.

The Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at Penn State College of Medicine is committed to advancing our field through scientific discovery and education.

Our faculty, clinicians and researchers have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report, ranking as one of the best hospitals in the nation for 2020-21 in orthopedic care.

We foster the next generation of orthopaedic leaders through our training programs. Our Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science expands the scope of basic science, translational research and regenerative medicine interests within the department.

A head-and-shoulders professional photo of Dr. April Armstrong in a medical coat and dress clothing on a professional photo background.
Dr. April Armstrong, Interim Chair, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

April Dawn Armstrong, BSc(PT), MSc, MD, FRCSC
James E. Bobb Professor and Interim Chair
Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation
Chief, Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Email us to find out more Or call us at 717-531-4826

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Education in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

The Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation offers a variety of training programs for learners at all levels.

In addition to an ACGME-accredited Orthopaedic Residency, the department offers three accredited fellowships in Hershey, Pa. - the Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Fellowship, the Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship and the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, the last offered in conjunction with the Department of Family and Community Medicine.

In State College, Pa., the department offers two additional accredited fellowships - an Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship and another Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, also in partnership with Family and Community Medicine.

A number of opportunities are available for medical students as well, including clerkships, acting internships and electives.

Meanwhile, annual continuing education programs such as Orthopaedic Essentials for the Primary Care Provider, Central Pa. Joint Replacement Symposium, James Buchanan Memorial Lecture and Current Concepts in Spinal Cord Injury Management provide opportunities for providers in a number of specialties to refine their skills.

Research in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

Research in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation is performed through the Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science.

The center was created in 2005 as the Division of Musculoskeletal Sciences and expanded to its current form in 2018 to accommodate the expanded scope of basic science, translational research and regenerative medicine interests within the department.

Clinical Care in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

The Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation translates its research expertise into patient care to offer comprehensive treatments for a variety of orthopaedic issues through the Bone and Joint Institute and Spine Center.

Bone and Joint Institute

Penn State Health Bone and Joint Institute is proud to be a leader in the care of patients with disorders of the bones, joints and spine. Faculty, clinicians and researchers have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report, ranking as one of the best hospitals in the nation for 2020-21 in orthopedic care.

Penn State Bone and Joint Institute comprises physicians dedicated to providing patients with the highest-quality care through a coordinated team approach. Each physician has pursued formal fellowship training and developed subspecialty interests in addition to general orthopaedics.

Learn more about the Bone and Joint Institute.

Spine Center

Penn State Health Spine Center provides treatment for all back and neck pain needs, from simple to complex.

For those for whom daily activities have become more difficult or who are living with pain, the patient care team from the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation works to determine the best course of treatment in conjunction with board-certified physicians from neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain management and radiology.

Learn more about the Spine Center.

Explore Programs in Orthopaedics

Jobs in Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

Information on jobs that may be available in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation can be found at psu.jobs (for non-clinical positions) or pennstatehealth.org/careers (for clinical positions). All applications must be made through those sites.