The program’s mission is to provide competent orthopedic surgeons for the under-served rural areas of our region. This includes recruitment of residents with connections to the region, provision of tertiary care to support existing surgeons in the region, and promote a broad training program for graduates to be confident in their skills to work independently in this environment. The program is integral to the University Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center, in providing tertiary orthopedic care. Training takes place at both the large hospital systems Lubbock. Residents are exposed to early clinical and operative experience. The facility has a large catchment area with high trauma volume.