SIU is a smaller program (3 per year), family friendly from what i hear, in springfield (not very big), with lots of operating experience for the residents (again, from what i hear). i interviewed there last year, and i have a good friend there now (not sure if he's still checking this) who is having a great experience so far. not trauma heavy, but they've added new staff in the recent years. nice internship, considered ortho from the get go. has the feel of a half and half academic and community program.

i'll see if my friend has a log-in and would add more.

didn't look at columbia, but this same friend did.