Program Description

HealthPartners TRIA offers a structured and comprehensive post-graduate program to Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners interested in advanced training in Orthopedics. The program provides extensive training in Orthopedic subspecialties across the organization to foster critical thinking, interprofessional collaboration, competence and confidence in both clinical and surgical settings to support transition to practice at an accelerated rate.

Length of Program: 12 months

Class Size: 1-2 fellows per year

Start Date: Flexible

Recruitment: Applications will open Winter 2026 for cohort starting in September 2027 (flexible)

Licensures Accepted: PA | FNP (Must be licensed to care for pediatric patients)

Sites:

• Primary: TRIA Bloomington
• Rotations: TRIA clinics & Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Methodist Hospital, Regions Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center

Program Curriculum

Clinical

The TRIA Orthopedics APC fellow receives a robust clinical experience focusing on general orthopedics and a variety of orthopedic subspecialties as listed below. The APC fellow spends a significant portion of their training at TRIA’s multiple clinic locations and ambulatory surgery centers, as well as inpatient rotations for hospital rounding, trauma care, and surgical experiences.

12 month clinical rotation schedule (subject to change):

• General Orthopedics
• Orthopedic Trauma
• Sports Medicine                            
• Acute Injury Clinic
• Shoulder
• Hand & Upper Extremity
• Radiology / Interventional Radiology
• Foot & Ankle
• Total Joints / Adult Reconstructive Surgery
• Spine
• Bone Health / Geriatrics
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

 

Didactic

Drawn from the core competencies of the TRIA Sports Medicine physician fellowship program, the APC fellow participates in cadaveric surgical skills labs, Orthopedic and Trauma grand rounds, case presentations, M&Ms and journal clubs.

Schedule

The Orthopedic APC fellows work Monday-Friday day shifts with occasional evening and weekend shifts. APC fellows work approximately 40 hours per week. The final 3 months of fellowship is geared towards the fellow building their own independent practice, seeing patients independently with support of an APC or physician available as needed.

Required Certifications: BLS, obtained prior to start date

Program Faculty:

Program Director: Jim Cavallaro, PA-C

Program Coordinator: Maia Knox, C-TAGME

Medical Director: Thomas Walsh IV, MD