The Campbell Clinic Foundation is proud to facilitate six different orthopaedic sub-specialty fellowships, a one-year highly specialized training following the five-year residency. Dr. Rock Hwang has been the Orthopaedic Trauma fellow this year, spending most of his time teaching and training at Regional One Health. 

Name: Rock Hwang, MD, Class of 2025

Residency: Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ

Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine

Hometown: Irvine, CA

1. Why did you choose trauma as your orthopaedic sub-specialty?

Orthopedic trauma gives me the opportunity to make an almost immediate and tangible impact on patients’ lives after sustaining an injury. You get to be a part of patients’ lives in significant ways. I also enjoy the large variety of cases and the teamwork that occurs with other specialty providers, especially in the setting of a polytraumatized patient.

2. What have you done outside of training to understand and deepen your interest in orthopaedic surgery?

I was involved in medical student education throughout residency and helped coordinate the curriculum and scheduling for medical students interested in orthopedic surgery.

3. What is a lesson you learned during your education/ training that you still take to heart?

Take pride in how you prepare, whether it’s for a difficult case or something else. Pride is about respecting your personal craft and holding yourself to a higher standard.

4. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Stay focused on the step-by-step approach, and not just the outcome, to whatever it is that you are doing or trying to accomplish.

5. What’s on the horizon for you? 

I will be returning to Cooper University Hospital, a Level 1 tertiary referral academic trauma center, to be on staff as the fourth orthopedic trauma surgeon.

6. What would you like future residents, fellows and other trainees to know about Campbell Clinic?

The orthopedic trauma fellowship is incredibly busy with a tremendous volume of high-energy pelvic and acetabular trauma in addition to other complex fractures. The acuity also adds another dimension to the patients you are treating. The training I have obtained throughout the year has exceeded all of my expectations. The staff are all incredibly supportive and the residents are a very helpful and entertaining bunch. This fellowship will undoubtedly prepare you to work as an orthopedic trauma surgeon in any setting after graduation!