I'm an R2 at University of Washington. One of the reasons I chose the University of Washington was the quality of residents. When I did my away rotation as an MS 4, I was impressed by how well the R2's handled the immense volume of orthopaedic trauma in the ER. Not only did they excel in multi-tasking, but they found multiple opportunities to teach me basic orthopaedics. Although tired, they seemed to care about my learning. I still remember vividly a resident starting to quiz me on an x-ray. Before I could answer, he stopped, said "why would you know that" and proceeded to teach rather than make me feel dumb. Now, I'm not trying to suggest that learning here is free and easy or soft. Anyone who has sat through a Monday Fracture Conference knows the high expectations demanded of the residents. What I'm trying to suggest is that the chairman, program director, attendings and senior residents all have a great desire to teach and make a great deal of effort to do so. Orthopaedic Residency is hard and it pays to have a strong support system. My class has gone out of its way to celebrate holidays, have dinners, and go to bar-b-ques together. I feel like we are there for each other in the trenches. I know there are a lot of outstanding programs out there. I just want to say that I am glad I'm here.