University of Missouri-Columbia Program Probation?

This is what we were told on the interview day and everyone was very open to speaking about it. A few years ago the residents felt they were not receiving enough education and weren't operating enough so they asked for a site review. Since that time a new chairman has come and all attendings were told they could stay, but if they weren't going to teach and allow residents to operate then they would not receive a resident. At this point there are 2 or 3 attendings without a resident.

One of the chief residents told me that one of the top three reasons mentioned specifically in the site review was that they weren't receiving enough exposure to complex peds cases. Guess what, the reviewer was a retired peds foot/ankle guy. So that precipitated the peds rotation in KC. Now they have just opened a women's and children's hospital in Columbia.

They have already had their review and fully expect to be taken off probation in January. The PD said all applicants will be notified of the decision as soon as they receive it so people can make their rank lists appropriately. Again, everyone was willing to talk about it so ask questions when you're there.

Considering this program couldn't even fill all its spots last yr, I'm guessing your chances of matching here are pretty good

While it's true they had an open spot last year I don't think you should count on this being a gimmee. I could be totally wrong, but I don't think they're where they were a year ago. I was very pleasantly surprised and impressed by Mizzou when I was out there. Since last year they have opened their ortho hospital where you spend all your time other than trauma, peds, and some private rotations. Also, they're revamping their didactic curriculum and research process with the addition of another former UAB faculty that had success in both areas there. Again, program is not where it was a year ago and things look to continue to improve. I was very impressed by the leadership of Dr. Stannard and the friendliness of the faculty.

I have to echo Jeeper on this one. I got the same impression. Are they going to be an ortho power house in the next 5 years? Not likely, and they know that. But, its definitely a dynamic program that is on the move. Its nowhere near where it was 1-2years ago. Dr Stannard is a heck of guy and it would be a privilege to work with him. So, I guess what I'm saying is don't expect this program to go unfilled...... They make a remarkable impression even given their probationary status... for the time being.

To talk about chances of matching different from zero, candidate needs to make to their rank list. As most of the programs, they probably rank only certain number of candidates and last year that number was just not enough to fill all the spots.

I am going to guess most of you guys blabbing about who went unfilled are a bunch of med students.....so my advice to you is to exercise some humility until after you match.....then as an intern you can be humbled beyond recognition......

Ohh wait you will get plenty of sleep since you can only take 16 hour calls.....

You be trained well at most places.....and I right now you guys dont even have enough experience to really know how a program works or runs anyway....

Just match where ever you are lucky enough to get a spot and make the best of the opportunities afforded to you.....thats really all you can do....you have much less control than you think.....

But what do I know.....its been 6 years since I went through this process....

Thank you perpetualpriapism. Because you speak from experience, you offer elements of wisdom. But people do not have to be ridiculed for their lack of experience or knowledge. The previous comments were reasonable. No matter how much you know, odds are, there is someone with more experience than you. I prefer to consider how I would want to be treated by those above me when handling those below me. Never hurts to keep comments more professional.

Maybe perpetualpriapism just came off a long call or is a little miffed about the new ACGME rules about being soft on interns and such. I must admit the "strategic napping" in the rules almost goes well with a blanket and cookies and maybe a little teddy bear too.

I must also admit I'm a fan of the 80 hour work week for the most part, and it has often protected me over the last three years. Most people, especially those who had already finished residency or almost finished, were not fans of the 80 hour work week when it came out either. I guess time will tell wether it's a good idea or not. I'm sure in a few years those of us who didn't have the blanket and cookies for interns will tell sob stories about how we worked so hard and are such better surgeons than you all because we did 30 hour calls, just like the pre-80 hour work week folks tell those of us in residency now. In the end it will probably make no difference in your training, but we'll see.

Anyway, I do think the point perpetualpriapism made is important wether you agree with the tone or not. Most of you will hopefully sail through the match and get one of your top programs. That's great. Some of you, however, will not match at all, and every year there are several who are super applicants with amazing board scores, plenty of meaningful research and strong letters who don't match. The point is, you should look at every program as a place that could make you an orthopaedic surgeon and be very grateful if you get an interview. It may feel at times that you as the applicant have the upperhand as you are getting that 18th interview invitation having had several programs blow sunshine at you about how wonderful they think you are, but you still might not match (truth in the number and situation, not hypothetical).

I'm not at UM Columbia, but I'd be very careful before discounting them, especially if you get an interview invite. Programs don't fill spots when they don't rank enough residents or incorrectly submit their list (as happens now and then in California). However, if you compare the number of open spots to the number of unmatched applicants each year it becomes obvious who really has the upperhand. You'd be very lucky to match at any program no matter what your stats or even program directors tell you. I think the point is it's good to remember that.

I am a chief resident at Mizzou. Things are much different now than they were 2 years ago prior to Stannards arrival and Jeffries becoming PD. Still no word on probation being lifted but there is zero reason for us to still be on probation.

Good things are happening here. Every program has its issues but we are all well prepared for our boards and easily could go straight into practice.

Hope this helps. Good luck as you will find that you will just be happy to be an orthopod.