MGB Orthopedic Academy – MSK Essentials: Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Specialty Certificate Program

This is a live, hybrid activity.

September 14, 2026 – June 5, 2027

Weekly Virtual Meetings + Onsite/In-Person Workshop on March 19th, 2027

This program is a transformative journey that equips clinicians with specialized knowledge and skills to prevent, evaluate, and manage musculoskeletal conditions across the lifespan. Musculoskeletal issues are prevalent, with 15-30% of primary care visits and 20% of emergency room visits in the US. They are also a leading cause of long-term disability, highlighting the critical need for effective management and treatment. Our comprehensive program offers a holistic approach to musculoskeletal health and orthopedic care to bridge the gap in training and address unmet educational needs.

Target audience

This activity is intended for nurse practitioners and physician assistants in Orthopedics, Primary Care, and Urgent & Emergency Care.

Learning objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Apply evidence-based musculoskeletal assessment techniques, including focused history, inspection, palpation, range-of-motion testing, and special tests, to accurately evaluate acute and chronic orthopedic conditions across the lifespan.
2. Differentiate common musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and sports-related conditions using clinical reasoning, appropriate diagnostic strategies, and guideline-informed decision-making to support timely and accurate diagnoses.
3. Apply effective, patient-centered management plans for musculoskeletal conditions, incorporating conservative care, procedural interventions, injury prevention, and health maintenance strategies consistent with best practices.
4. Demonstrate improved procedural competence and clinical confidence in orthopedic skills relevant to advanced practice providers, including splinting, casting, suturing, joint or bursal injections and aspirations, to enhance safety and patient outcomes.
5. Operate & collaborate effectively within interprofessional healthcare teams—including NPs, PAs, physicians, physical therapists, and orthopedic specialists—to optimize coordination of care, appropriate referral, and shared decision-making for patients with musculoskeletal and sports-related conditions.

Registration instructions

To secure your spot for the semester, you must:

1. Send the following to Dr. Karen Myrick (kmmyrick@mgh.harvard.edu)
   • A personal statement – explain why you would like to take this course, and how you hope to use the specialty certificate
   • 2 letters of reference
2. Pay your tuition fee through this site.
   • Indicate how you heard about this course via the dropdown menu above ‘Add to Cart’
   • Click ‘Add to Cart’
   • Proceed through checkout steps

Required Textbooks: 

• AAOS Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care (6th Edition)
  • Authors: AAOS, April Armstrong & Mark C. Hubbard
  • ISBN: 9781284223347
  • Cost: $183.95

Tuition Reimbursement:

• Check with your employer for tuition reimbursement opportunities. 
• Mass General Brigham Employees: you may submit a reimbursement application via Tuition.io platform.

Additional information

Faculty credentials

Karen M. Myrick, DNP, APRN, FNP, ONP, FAANP, FAAN – Course Director
Program Manager, Institute of Orthopedic Education – Massachusetts General Hospital
Nurse Practitioner, Orthopedic Urgent Care – Massachusetts General Hospital
Director or Nursing Education & Practice, Springer Publishing
 

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, Mass General Brigham is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Designation Statements

Nursing
Mass General Brigham designates this activity for 64.25 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physician Assistants
Mass General Brigham has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 64.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Program

Term 1: Musculoskeletal Essentials I (Weeks 1 – 14)

Term 2: Musculoskeletal Essentials II (Weeks 15 – 30)

Term 3: Musculoskeletal Essentials III (Weeks 31 – 37)

Please click HERE to download a comprehensive schedule/agenda