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ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

CAREER INFORMATION

Meet Dr. Eno!

Hi, I’m Dr. Tan! I find what I do rewarding because I get to help people, solve problems, and fix things. The hours can be long, the work quite stressful, but it is a privilege to be able to help others. I grew up near Los Angeles, did my training in New York and Connecticut, then worked on Oahu for 5 years before moving to Maui in 2011. Besides work, I spend time with my family, enjoy traveling, and taking photos,

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RESPONSIBILITIES
What do they do?

  • Diagnose, treat, and perform surgeries involving the musculoskeletal system — bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves.

  • Treat injuries such as fractures, dislocations, torn ligaments, and joint problems.

  • Perform surgeries such as:

    • Joint replacement (hip, knee, shoulder)

    • Arthroscopic surgery

    • Spinal surgery

    • Trauma and fracture repair

    • Sports injury repair

  • Assess patients, diagnose musculoskeletal conditions, and recommend surgical or non-surgical treatments.

  • Provide follow-up care, rehabilitation plans, and prevention strategies for orthopedic conditions.

  • Extensive knowledge of:

    • Human anatomy and biomechanics

    • Sports medicine and rehabilitation

    • Bone healing and musculoskeletal pathology

    • Orthopedic oncology (bone cancer)

    • Pediatric orthopedics (children’s bone development)

    • Trauma and reconstructive surgery

What equipment do they use?

  • Scalpel and Blades

  • Retractors

  • Bone Holding Forceps

  • Surgical Mallets

  • Osteotomes

  • Rongeurs

  • Orthopedic Drills

  • Bone Saws

  • Plates

  • Screws

  • Pins

  • Rods

  • Arthroscopes

  • Tourniquet System

EDUCATION
Education Guide

To become an Orthopedic Surgeon, first obtain a Doctor of Medicine Degree. Then, complete residency. Finally, pass a certification exam and obtain a license.

STEP 1

Complete a bachelor's degree. 

Bachelor's Degree

  • 4 years at a university (any major)

  • MUST fulfill pre-medicine requirements (biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics)​

  • Take Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and apply to medical school

STEP 2

Complete a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Degree.

Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Degree

  • 4 years of medical school

  • ​Curriculum includes anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical rotations

  • Must pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) or COMLEX-USA (for DOs)

What opportunities are in Hawaiʻi?

University of Hawaii Programs

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John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM)

  • Hawaii’s only medical school

  • Offers a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program

Admissions Process:

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  • Apply via the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)

  • Take the MCAT and AAMC PREview Professional Readiness Exam

  • Pay a $150 non-refundable JABSOM application fee

  • Submit letters of recommendation and verify science prerequisites

  • Only 67 Hawaii resident applicants are accepted annually

General Courses

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Physics

  • Anatomy & Physiology

  • Biochemistry

  • Microbiology

  • Pathology

  • Pharmacology

  • Medical Ethics

STEP 3

Complete residency.

Residency

  • 5 years of orthopedic surgery residency

  • Includes rotations in trauma, pediatric orthopedics, oncology, sports medicine, and spine surgery

  • Must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)

STEP 4

Complete fellowship (optional)

Fellowship

  • 1–2 additional years of subspecialty training (optional) in areas such as:

    • Sports Medicine

    • Hand Surgery

    • Spine Surgery

    • Pediatric Orthopedics

    • Joint Reconstruction

STEP 5

Pass a certification exam and obtain a license to practice.

Licensing and Certification

  • Complete Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) training

  • Pass USMLE Step 3 and obtain a Hawaii state medical license.

  • Achieve Board Certification through the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) by passing written and oral exams

CAREERS
CAREERS

Work Environments

  • Hospitals (especially trauma or orthopedic departments)

  • Private orthopedic practices

  • Outpatient surgery centers

  • Sports medicine and rehabilitation clinics

  • Academic or research institutions

Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Salary.com (as of May 2021):

  • Offices of Physicians: ~$538,000

  • General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: ~$520,000

  • Outpatient Care Centers: ~$490,000
    (Exact salaries vary by experience, subspecialty, and location in Hawaii)

*Job Salary Trends*

*Average pay as of 2023 & 2025*

SOURCE: Hawaii Career Explorer

Work Schedule

  • Long and irregular hours

  • On-call for emergency orthopedic trauma cases

  • Scheduled elective surgeries and post-operative follow-ups

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