Staff/Faculty/Chairman:
Huge group of excellent faculty in every field. The Clinic has produced more AAOS presidents than any other program in the country (7). The next closest has 4. Biggest names in sports, peds, joints, trauma, and foot/ankle. You want to go to Dallas for F&A fellowship with Brodsky? Peds fellowship at Harvard? Sports at SCOI, ASMI? Hand in San Antonio or Philadelphia? Trauma in Tampa? Tumor at UF? Name it and our well-connected staff will make it happen. All are approachable and non-malignant. Residents treated as colleagues by all staff. There is a certain pride and tradition here that comes with being a WCC resident.
Didactics/Teaching:
Vastly improved during my time here. Conference has been totally re-vamped and OITEs are rising. The addition of Dr. Throckmorton as assistant PD has really improved the conference agenda and format. And yes, beer is still served after conference.
Operating Experience:
Unmatched. You will not find a better operative experience anywhere in the country. Period. Operative autonomy is emphasized early. Trauma is a big part of this, but this attitude extends to sports, joints, shoulder/elbow, and all other rotations.
Clinic Experience:
Good mix of private clinics (WCC clinic) and indigent, resident-run clinics (the Med, Le Bonheur). Brand new, state of the art children's hospital experience.
Research Opportunities:
Now excellent. 6/10 finalists this year for the MAOA resident grants were Campbell residents. Dr. William Mihalko is an MD PhD who is now 100% dedicated to enhancing resident research opportunities. Dr. Throckmorton has also improved this aspect of the program greatly over the last few years.
Residents:
Awesome groups of guys (and now one gal). Tight-knit. Large group, but once you're in, you're a brother. Definitely feels like a big fraternity. Residents come from all over the country (and get jobs all over the country when we're done).
Lifestyle:
Work hard on trauma, but lifestyle is excellent everywhere else. On your private rotations, you live the schedule of your attending (preceptor model). Personally, I feel this balance was unequaled by other trauma heavy programs (i.e. some programs excel in trauma, but don't have great experiences in sports, joints, etc).
Location/Housing:
Memphis is vastly under-rated. Affordable and very liveable. Midtown and downtown have been / are being revitalized. East Memphis is comfortable and affordable. Warm winters. Lots of excellent outdoor activities nearby.
Overall Rotation Experience/Conclusion:
Overall, I truly feel that you will not find a better program in the entire country. The combination of big-time operative experience and big-name recognition of this place is truly unique. I highly recommend applying and rotating through the program.
