As a current resident, I would like to offer some insight into this extraordinary program. I am doing this because there isnt great info on our website, nor in the usual web areas.
First, I'll say why I like Stanford. Maybe it will give you an idea if you will like it. Maybe you will find you disagree with my reasons or don't find my reasons as compelling as other factors that are important to you.
Then I will try to give facts. General facts as to not incite a revolution.
I chose my program because I liked the people--faculty, staff and residents--the best. It also has an excellent reputation within and outside of ortho. It is an academic program in an easy-to-enjoy location. It was important to me that the other medical fields had residents and were top notch training programs. I wanted warm nice weather, and I didn't mind living in a suburb and driving.
Stanford is currently expanding. Many new faculty hired, several new residents transferred in. There may be a permanent increase in matched residents per year in the future. It is true we have new leadership, but we also had great solid leadership prior which was just more focused on resident training and happiness (not necessarily nationwide reputation). Our new dept chair, Dr. W. Maloney, has a vision and is turning this program into a larger program with a more academic feel. Everyone is on board and happy with how we are melding the old with the new.
Stanford is busy. Now I've only been a resident in one place, so I will not compare it to X program, but let it be known cases are abundant and there is no lack of training opportunities in the OR, or clinic. Hence the increasing # of residents. PGY2 year is about operating all the time. Gets a little less busy later on, but its a small program (now), so call is still call and has to be split by the # residents. Home call possible if you live nearby, depending on rotation. This can be great if there isnt a lot overnight, or your downfall, if its a busy night and you stay the next day. Routinely you will have both, so it evens out in the long run and you wont be over/under worked (relatively speaking, as if its possible to be underworked as a resident).
Stanford is not a trauma center. But the Valley hospital, where equal time is spent, is. The Valley gets its fair share of city trauma, but not near the level of the most famous trauma centers. We do get cold, in addition to hot, acetabular/pelvic fractures. Along the same lines, note Stanford is a wealthy suburb, and has no real night life comparable to the big cities. Prepared food is expensive and not as good as many major cities, but probably better than most small cities. Groceries are expensive, but you can get really nice stuff if you have a sugar daddy/mommy. Housing, gas, etc all expensive.
Back on topic: New didactic schedule is in place and consists of Faculty and resident lectures, then resident led anatomy lab (with faculty present), all on one theme topic. Some are more laid back, lecture at you type, some involve a fair amount of pimping, but its down the line pimping so everyone gets a turn to cringe. Read up, boy!
Stanford ortho has a diverse faculty in comparison to most programs, including age, race, sex, interest, research/clinical orientation, and character. This is really nice for the residents, who are also diverse. The residents come from ivy, other private and state schools, east west north and south. There are male and 3 females currently, with at least 1 female fellow, a former chief. Depending on who you consider a minority, we have several or many. Anyway, we are diverse. True that majority are rotaters, but in every class of 4, it seems at least 1 or more has not rotated. Usually 0-1 are from Stanford.
Stanford surgery and surg specialities also have very diverse residents, which makes life nice for everyone. Like the ortho dept, they are all top ranked programs, and so your fellow surg residents are fun to work with. Medicine, Peds, and specialities are consistently very strong, which makes Stanford a great place to train for ortho or any specialty. Some people care less about this, I find it really important to my training, happiness, and future networking.
Stanford and adj hospitals have really nice facilities. This is a fact. Some things lack, for example at Stanford: no computers in the call room. No food around the clock. No money for food (on call, yes, but not enough). However, Stanford, the children's hosp, the VA, and the Valley, where the bulk of the training is, are all very nice.
Stanford has excellent staff. Ancillary staff, RN, all very nice and capable. THere is a floor or two filled with RNs who do not meet this standard, but overall, it is good. Example: if you don't like/ don't have time, you can get a crisis RN to start an iv. Maybe this is standard elsewhere; it wasnt at my home institution. These statement goes for Stanford-children's only. Valley is still a county hospital, the VA is the VA.
Stanford is supportive of their residents, and gives a decent $$ compared to other programs. Of course they still require a hefty sum for parking, and have other non-friendly rules, but overall, they try. Stanford cares about the 80hr work week. Residents may choose to stay for cases if they desire.
I hope this is helpful. I am sure wherever you end up, you will be happy and well trained. Good luck! I dont usually come to this site, so I wont be answering any questions. I hope this post doesnt generate any dissent. If so, I deny everything.
First, I'll say why I like Stanford. Maybe it will give you an idea if you will like it. Maybe you will find you disagree with my reasons or don't find my reasons as compelling as other factors that are important to you.
Then I will try to give facts. General facts as to not incite a revolution.
I chose my program because I liked the people--faculty, staff and residents--the best. It also has an excellent reputation within and outside of ortho. It is an academic program in an easy-to-enjoy location. It was important to me that the other medical fields had residents and were top notch training programs. I wanted warm nice weather, and I didn't mind living in a suburb and driving.
Stanford is currently expanding. Many new faculty hired, several new residents transferred in. There may be a permanent increase in matched residents per year in the future. It is true we have new leadership, but we also had great solid leadership prior which was just more focused on resident training and happiness (not necessarily nationwide reputation). Our new dept chair, Dr. W. Maloney, has a vision and is turning this program into a larger program with a more academic feel. Everyone is on board and happy with how we are melding the old with the new.
Stanford is busy. Now I've only been a resident in one place, so I will not compare it to X program, but let it be known cases are abundant and there is no lack of training opportunities in the OR, or clinic. Hence the increasing # of residents. PGY2 year is about operating all the time. Gets a little less busy later on, but its a small program (now), so call is still call and has to be split by the # residents. Home call possible if you live nearby, depending on rotation. This can be great if there isnt a lot overnight, or your downfall, if its a busy night and you stay the next day. Routinely you will have both, so it evens out in the long run and you wont be over/under worked (relatively speaking, as if its possible to be underworked as a resident).
Stanford is not a trauma center. But the Valley hospital, where equal time is spent, is. The Valley gets its fair share of city trauma, but not near the level of the most famous trauma centers. We do get cold, in addition to hot, acetabular/pelvic fractures. Along the same lines, note Stanford is a wealthy suburb, and has no real night life comparable to the big cities. Prepared food is expensive and not as good as many major cities, but probably better than most small cities. Groceries are expensive, but you can get really nice stuff if you have a sugar daddy/mommy. Housing, gas, etc all expensive.
Back on topic: New didactic schedule is in place and consists of Faculty and resident lectures, then resident led anatomy lab (with faculty present), all on one theme topic. Some are more laid back, lecture at you type, some involve a fair amount of pimping, but its down the line pimping so everyone gets a turn to cringe. Read up, boy!
Stanford ortho has a diverse faculty in comparison to most programs, including age, race, sex, interest, research/clinical orientation, and character. This is really nice for the residents, who are also diverse. The residents come from ivy, other private and state schools, east west north and south. There are male and 3 females currently, with at least 1 female fellow, a former chief. Depending on who you consider a minority, we have several or many. Anyway, we are diverse. True that majority are rotaters, but in every class of 4, it seems at least 1 or more has not rotated. Usually 0-1 are from Stanford.
Stanford surgery and surg specialities also have very diverse residents, which makes life nice for everyone. Like the ortho dept, they are all top ranked programs, and so your fellow surg residents are fun to work with. Medicine, Peds, and specialities are consistently very strong, which makes Stanford a great place to train for ortho or any specialty. Some people care less about this, I find it really important to my training, happiness, and future networking.
Stanford and adj hospitals have really nice facilities. This is a fact. Some things lack, for example at Stanford: no computers in the call room. No food around the clock. No money for food (on call, yes, but not enough). However, Stanford, the children's hosp, the VA, and the Valley, where the bulk of the training is, are all very nice.
Stanford has excellent staff. Ancillary staff, RN, all very nice and capable. THere is a floor or two filled with RNs who do not meet this standard, but overall, it is good. Example: if you don't like/ don't have time, you can get a crisis RN to start an iv. Maybe this is standard elsewhere; it wasnt at my home institution. These statement goes for Stanford-children's only. Valley is still a county hospital, the VA is the VA.
Stanford is supportive of their residents, and gives a decent $$ compared to other programs. Of course they still require a hefty sum for parking, and have other non-friendly rules, but overall, they try. Stanford cares about the 80hr work week. Residents may choose to stay for cases if they desire.
I hope this is helpful. I am sure wherever you end up, you will be happy and well trained. Good luck! I dont usually come to this site, so I wont be answering any questions. I hope this post doesnt generate any dissent. If so, I deny everything.