The University of Arizona Orthopedics residency is characterized by balance, and operative training. We are in the OR early and often and it is high-quality OR time. Interns are not just welcomed to the OR, they are expected to be there. The typical scenario is the resident performing the case, with an attending walking us through...Rarely are we double-scrubbed, we never share or compete for cases with a fellow (there are NO fellows), and are given ample and graded autonomy.
The residency is primarily run as a mentorship-style rotation, with each resident paired with a single attending (with the exception of the trauma service). This sets the stage for a comfortable working relationship with the attendings, allowing them to build trust in the resident's abilities early. Thus, by the end of a rotation, most attendings have ample confidence in letting residents operate independently (even as a PGY2).
While research is available, and at least one research project is required, it is not a focus of our residency program. Several residents have participated in multiple projects, and each year we have have several presentations and papers, we are not research heavy or research driven.
Finally, perhaps the best part of our residency, is our lifestyle. Nowhere will you find a happier, more cohesive group of residents. With only 15 residents (currently 3 per year), we all work closely together and get along great outside of work. We do a "family" dinner at least once a month where we all get together at someones house for dinner, whiskey, and the occasional cigar. This is what struck us most when we visited as a students, and it's proven truer than we expected as residents. Furthermore, Tucson is a great place to live, with beautiful summers, warm mild winters, and a wealth of outdoor activities (cycling-mountain & road, rock climbing, skiing within reach)
In short, if you're looking for a residency focused on providing a comprehensive operative training, with early extensive OR time, I'd encourage you to check out the University of Arizona Orthopedics Residency.
If you have any questions about ANYTHING, please let us know.
-Arizona Ortho Residents
