Harvard

Thanks for the heads up. Do you know when the program is expanding to 14 and when the new curriculum will go into effect? Also, why have 3 residents left the program in the past 2 years?

Hi everybody,

By reading this posting, I hope that you are considering the Harvard program and thank you for your interest. I am one of the current residents, and both the residents and the leadership of the HCORP program felt it appropriate to respond to the above posting so that applicants can make an informed decision about where they would most like to spend the most formative years of their orthopedic education. We are a large academic program with both the advantages and disadvantages that this may entail, but we are actively working at the highest level of leadership towards improving the educational experience of our residents.

The following is statement from our program director, Dr. Herndon. We’d be happy to answer any additional questions that you may have, both in the context of this forum and during your interview. Again, thank you for your interest in our program.

Sincerely,

Current HCORP Resident

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Dr. Herndon’s response:

1) It is true that I am retiring from my administrative position in 12/08, but will remain as a teacher/advisor/mentor to any resident or student.

2) BIDMC is not breaking away from our program…the Executive Committee has agreed to a plan to add more residents to the program enabling an additional two residents in the PGY-2 thru PGY-5 years at BIDMC.

3) There is no belief by any of us on the Executive Committee that our name will change from HCORP to something else.

4) We don’t have a massive curriculum overhaul underway…we have a retreat planned with the Executive Committee, faculty at each hospital and residents from PGY-2 thru PGY-5 years to discuss: lengthening our rotations, evaluating/improving our teaching program including CORE and discussions on how to decrease the “scut” level for our residents. It is true that we have a large faculty and that even with the large number of residents in our program…not every resident can work with every faculty member.

5) By expanding the program (if approved by the RRC) we can better cover hospitals’ services and improve the educational experience of all residents.

6) Three residents have left or are leaving our program in the past two years - two into radiology and one intern is switching to medicine. These decisions in my opinion, after discussing the situation with each resident, was for a better specialty fit for them, or the lack of attractiveness/responsibility of operating.[/i]