Hey everyone, I just want the right information out there on orthogate, because I remember using this website when I was applying.
First, Baylor is not on probation!!! We are fully accredited through 2010, when we will have site visit and we will most likely be re-accredited for another 5 years. We have no issues that would threaten probation. Five years ago we were on probation because of a change in chairman. However, now the program is incredibly stable.
Second, we did have 2 interns leave the program last year. These things happen and it is in no way a reflection of the program. I know both of the guys and they are really cool, and they both went into anesthesia here at Baylor. One person had family issues and the other changed his mind about ortho as a specialty. These things happen!!! People have certain life situations come up, and others simply have a change of heart. Residents at programs across the country quit every year, even at those programs that are routinely mentioned on this website like Duke, Utah, UCSF, to name few that I know of. This says nothing about those programs. It is unfortunate that we had two leave in one year, because rumors get started about why they left. But they have been replaced by two top-notch candidates, and we are better for it.
We work very hard at Baylor, but no harder than any other busy trauma center. Ben Taub is equivalent to Parkland, The Med, Grady (I rotated at 2 of these places). However, we have our lighter rotations also like sports and shriner's. You are guaranteed to have your 4 full days off every month. And we try to stay under 80hrs. Does this always happen every week, No, but over a course of the month I would say we are pretty close. One thing I can guarantee you is that you will learn to operate at Baylor, probably more than you want to. You start slowly as a PGYII, but by PGYIII your basically operating all day, sometimes all night. When I say "your" operating, I mean it. It's all "you"!!
If you have any questions, shoot me a PM. I'll give you a honest answer. We are not a perfect program, but we are a very good, well-rounded one. The Medical center is probably one of the best places to train in the nation. Houston is a great, sunny, affordable place, that still has all the big city amenities. If interested definitely apply. Good Luck!!!