I rotated at UVa, so maybe I can add some insight about the faculty. I spent the most time with Sports, Hand, and Trauma, so I will focus on those areas.
Sports: Dr. David Diduch (UVa team physician), Dr. Mark Miller (JMU team physician, "Miller's Review"), Dr. Eric Carson, Dr. Cato Laurencin (Program Chairman). This group is absolutely outstanding, definitely among the strongest I saw at any program. Diduch is unequivocally an expert in his profession, technically as gifted as any surgeon I've seen. Miller is the consummate teacher - he is always looking for new ways to present information to students and residents. The volume of his literary output is unbelievable. He has written or been chief editor on multiple review books and texts on subjects as broad as general orthopaedics to more narrow focuses such as arthoscopy. He never misses a moment to teach or explain and is a huge advocate for his residents. Carson hasn't been there as long, but he is also a great teacher and takes his time to explain everything. In the OR, he gives the resident a lot of autonomy only intervening in the case to provide gentle guidance or discuss alternative approaches. What more can you say about Dr. Laurencin that hasn't already been stated here previously. He is a giant in the field, especially through his research contributions. Overall, this group is an exceptional strength and asset for this program and a great service for a medical student to experience.
Hand: Dr. Bobby Chhabra (assistant Program Director; only hand surgeon when I was rotating; they will be adding another shortly). Dr. Chhabra, in my mind, exemplifies what is so appealing about the program at UVa. He is all about UVa having completed his med school and residency in Charlottesville, and his enthusiasm for the program at UVa is absolutely awesome. As long as Dr. Chhabra is at UVa, the residents will be in good hands. From a viewpoint of a rotator, he took time before and between cases to give lectures to the students and residents. He offered guidance about everything from different approaches to hand surgery cases to different approaches to preparing for residency interviews. He is a huge proponent for his residents and definitely is a highlight for this program. He is in the process of looking for another hand surgeon, and I am certain he will find someone equally capable as him.
Trauma: I interacted primarily with Dr. David Kahler who is like a walking encyclopedia. I guess from a medical student's perspective, every attending knows a lot, but Dr. Kahler seems know everything about everything. He teaches with a soft and understanding voice that was reassuring no matter how wrong my answers were.
Overall, I was definitely impressed by all aspects of this program. The residents are exceptional as a group and across each level of training, they seemed to be further advanced than residents at other hospitals. There is a great deal of camaraderie within this program that is facilitated by the relative approachability and enthusiasm among the faculty, especially the younger members of the faculty such as Dr. Carson, Dr. Chhabra, and Dr. Shen. I heard on the interview trail that there may some political issues among the faculty, but I honestly did not see any evidence of that while I was there. I believe that any rumors about instability within this program have been exxagerated, and I honestly think that as long as attendings such as Dr. Miller, Dr. Chhabra, Dr. Shen, Dr. Carson, and Dr. Kahler are in Charlottesville, this program will only gain strength. Beyond the hospital, Charlottesville is a great city with a lot of personality. There is a lot going on beyond the University and the setting of the town is really great.
Rotating at UVa was a great experience. I ranked this program highly on my list and would be happy to discuss it further.
