Orthopaedic Resident Development

Earn trust. Gain autonomy. Become the resident attendings want in the room.

A foot and ankle resident training system built by a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon — structured around preparation, ownership, engagement, anticipation, and technical excellence.

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Foot & Ankle Focused
Board-Certified Surgeon
More Rotations Coming
The Trust Score
9.0

The question is not only, "Can this resident operate?" The better question is, "Can this resident be trusted with increasing responsibility?"

ObserverLearn
ContributorContribute
OwnerLead Self
MultiplierElevate Others
Why This Exists

Most residents are taught surgical techniques. Few are taught how trust is earned.

This academy gives trainees a clear roadmap for the hidden curriculum of surgical training: how to prepare, communicate, take ownership, anticipate needs, and earn meaningful autonomy.

Residents often wonder:

  • ✓What actually makes an attending trust me?
  • ✓How do I get more operative opportunity?
  • ✓Why do some residents progress faster than others?
  • ✓How should I prepare for clinic, cases, and feedback?
  • ✓What separates a good resident from a future leader?
The Framework

The Five Pillars of Trust

Every playbook in the system is built on the same foundation. Technical ability matters, but trust begins with character and consistent behavior.

01

Integrity

Tell the truth, own mistakes, and protect trust before protecting ego.

02

Ownership

Close loops, follow through, and treat patient care as your responsibility.

03

Preparation

Review imaging, anatomy, procedures, and patient history before entering the room.

04

Engagement

Stay invested in every clinic visit, case, conversation, and learning opportunity.

05

Anticipation

Think ahead, read the room, and recognize what the patient, surgeon, and team need next.

The Development Ladder

From observer to multiplier.

Each PGY playbook helps residents honestly assess where they are and what behaviors move them to the next level.

Observer

Needs frequent direction. Learns the system and completes assigned tasks.

Contributor

Reliable with expected responsibilities. Participates and requires limited prompting.

Owner

Takes responsibility for outcomes. Anticipates needs and closes loops.

Multiplier

Elevates others, improves efficiency, teaches, and makes the service stronger.

Resident Pathway

A roadmap from medical student to attending.

Start with the standard, then build year by year with expectations matched to training level.

Medical StudentRotation Prep
PGY1Foundation
PGY2Reliability
PGY3Surgical Thinking
PGY4Leadership
PGY5Mastery
FellowshipNext Level
The Athlete's Surgeon Academy

One framework. Expanding across orthopedic rotations.

The Trust Score and Five Pillars are the foundation for every pathway. Foot & Ankle is where it started — here's what's live and what's coming next.

Live Now

Foot & Ankle Pathway

The original pathway — PGY1 through PGY5 playbooks plus Intro to the PGY Playbook, led by a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon.

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Coming Soon

Total Joint Arthroplasty Pathway

Knee and hip focused PGY playbooks, built on the same Trust Score framework.

Sign Up for Early Access
Coming Soon

More Rotations

Additional orthopedic subspecialty pathways are in development.

Featured Products

Start with the foundation or buy the complete pathway.

These can be sold as single PDF downloads, bundles, or future course access. Pricing is shown as placeholder copy.

Start Here

Intro to the PGY Playbook

The foundation of the entire system. Learn the Five Pillars of Trust, the Development Ladder, and how autonomy is earned.

  • ✓Trust Score framework
  • ✓Trust builders and destroyers
  • ✓Reading the room
$29 PDF
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PGY1

PGY1 Foot & Ankle Playbook

Build the foundation for foot and ankle rotations with clinic prep, OR setup, anatomy, splinting, closure, and early exposure skills.

  • ✓PGY1 self assessment
  • ✓OR fundamentals
  • ✓Preparation standards
$49 PDF
View Details
Most Popular

Complete Foot & Ankle Resident Bundle

The full PGY1 through PGY5 pathway plus Intro to the PGY Playbook. Designed for residents who want a complete development roadmap.

  • ✓Book 0 plus PGY1 to PGY5
  • ✓Year by year expectations
  • ✓Best value package
$199 Bundle
View Bundle
Dr. Nicholas Strasser — Board-Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon
About the Founder

Built by a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon who evaluates residents in the real world.

Dr. Nicholas Strasser is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery. The Athlete's Surgeon Academy reflects his teaching philosophy: residents earn opportunity through preparation, truthfulness, ownership, engagement, anticipation, and sound surgical development.

  • ✓Board-certified foot & ankle surgeon
  • ✓Practical expectations by PGY level
  • ✓Designed for clinic, OR, and leadership growth
Free Resource

Get the Trust Score Self-Assessment.

Use it before your next rotation to find out whether you're functioning as an Observer, Contributor, Owner, or Multiplier right now.