DO programs

Doctor’s Hospital - Modesto, CA

Pros: Best group of attendings I’ve experienced. 3 of the 4 main attendings are practically general orthopedists so their case loads have a ton of variety. But every one of these attendings have such an excitement to teach. Whether it would be in the clinic or the OR, they always found ways to keep the residents and students involved. Definitely the best combination of letting the residents operate but making sure they’re doing it the right way. I really can’t say enough how great these attendings were. Also, they just got a UCSF trained, trauma fellowship trained attending to come on board. I hear he’s going to do nothing but pelvis and tab fxs. They have a great combination of exposing residents to the “county” setting and private practice. The base hospital is practically a county hospital for all citizens between fresno and SF (so they claim) so they have a good amount of trauma that comes through. The attendings are part of a very successful orthopedic group so they have great outpatient cases for the residents. Their facilities are pretty baller. Although it is a new program, they have a clear direction on where it’s headed. The PD was an attending at Grandview for many years so he knows how to make this into a legitimate program. The group of residents they have are also very impressive, especially the 2’s. Their orthopedic knowledge parallels most 4s and 5s I’ve met at other programs. They were also confident enough in the OR where they were themselves teaching the 1s and students during the case. I have no doubt that they are going to train residents into great surgeons.

Cons: Although they have a clear direction on how to train residents, their out rotations are nonexistent. They have talks about a few but it never was set it stone. Their core site and faculty is strong but I think out rotations are very important for residents to learn under a different setting. They definitely lack Spine, Foot & ankle, and Sports. The city. Modesto is 80%+ farmland and the main city area is not the nicest of places. They do have some nice communities (where the attendings live) but pretty sure the residents won’t be able to afford to live near there. However, SF is about 90 minute away. In the end, it’s a new program. There are going to be many changes to be made for these next few years to make it into what they want it so its up to future applicants to decide if they want to be part of the molding process. Its exciting to help mold it but I understand that for many students would want to be part of a program that already has the blueprints on how to properly train a resident.

PCOM – Philadelphia

Pros: Like what has been written about this program numerous times, it’s a very academic focused program. They are very serious about making sure all the residents are knowledgeable and up to date with anything and everything about orthopedics. 5-6 hours of didactics devoted every Thursday afternoon. Very informative but sometimes can be overwhelming. Biggest program I got to experience (6 residents per year) for those who desire that. Dr. Mcphilamey (Program director and former 76ers team physician) is probably my favorite PD of all I met. Easy to talk to, enjoys teaching, and I loved being around him. Biggest strength of their program is their exposure to big name attendings. Since they’re located in Philadelphia, they deal with a lot of attendings that teach for UPenn, Rothman, Jefferson, and Temple. From what I’ve seen/heard, half of them enjoy teaching PCOM students moreso than the MD counterparts. This program also attends Regional Lectures where the biggest names in Ortho speak with the residents throughout Philly. If you’re a person that prefers to be in an academic institution and be surrounded by big names, this place is for you. Plus, Philly is pretty fun if you like the city life. Oh and most of their fellowship placements are impressive.

Cons: The collective group of residents are knowledgeable and very nice people but I couldn’t see myself clicking with them. I never really saw much of them outside the work setting but they didn’t have too much personality. The operating skills of the chiefs were not impressive either. Obviously it’s hard to rate their skills because I’m just a student and I was only there for a month but when comparing to the other programs, they didn’t appear as confident or as skilled. A TON of driving around. Whoever was on call on the weekend, you’re driving half of the time because you’re covering a crap ton of hospitals. All of the hospitals are outside the main Philly city. This is personal preference but I did not like how they organized their rotations. Residents would rotate based on hospital, not on specialty. Although certain hospitals have a little more of sports, or hand, or joints, for the most part it seems like you’re constantly doing general orthopedics on each rotation. Even though this place is considered an academic program, they lack research. I’m sure most of us don’t really care too much about it but its something to consider. Seemed like no clinic whatsoever (which could be a big plus to many of us). And with so many residents, there is definitely a pecking order with the cases. Chiefs obviously get their pick and the 2s are stuck either 2nd assisting or 1st assisting on the boring cases.

Valley Hospital – Las Vegas

Pros: The ONLY orthopedic surgery program is the entire state of Nevada. Not only that, the city seems like an orthopedic factory. There are so many huge orthopedic groups and many of these surgeons are from big name pedigrees. Great place if you know for a fact you want to do sports, oncology, or joints. You’ll get a ton of exposure in these fields and the attendings seem very good at what they do. Hillock, the ortho onc, uses very innovative technology and the month I was there, I saw many procedures where I was told the “first ever of its kind.” Definitely a lifestyle program. The residents are only on call when the attendings are on and from what I saw, only one attending takes call. One of the residents practically went back home (Socal) every weekend. Plus… it’s vegas. If you’re young, single, and loves to party…I don’t see a better place in the DO world.

Cons: First off, the program director. I worked with him for two weeks and he never once taught me ANYTHING. Even when it was in the OR, nothing. My main job in the OR was to mop the floors after each case and make sure everything is prepped before he gets back in. He is a brilliant sports surgeon and you can probably learn a lot by watching him but he doesn’t even teach the residents. In clinic, he pretty much wants you to make jokes and not be boring. The other main attending, Hillock, is strong at teaching but he can change his mood instantly. After those two attendings, there really doesn’t seem like they have any other full-time attendings. I know of a handful of attendigs that the residents can help out but I never saw it. Lack of trauma. Even though I am not going specialize in trauma, I feel it’s the most important field to learn when you’re a resident because its pretty much the foundation of orthopedics. It was almost nonexistent here because only Hillock takes call. They have a 4th year out rotation at the county hospital for a couple months which I heard has a ton of trauma but other than that, the exposure seems absolutely horrible. I know they are going to do peds in OC with the RCRMC residents which is very strong. From my experience, I would recommend this program for someone who wants a good life during residency and knows they want either sports, joints, or oncology.

Community Memorial - Ventura, CA

Pros: I didn’t rotate here but I did interview. I guess the obvious strength of the program is the location. Located in the central coast of CA and practically walking distance to the beach. Their view is the ocean which is pretty unreal. I can’t really speak too much about the program because my opinions are just based off my interview. For one, the PD seems like a good guy and would back up his residents at all times. They seem like they had a ton of possible attendings and from the few that I talked to, they want to give residents a ton of autonomy. A brand new state of the art hospital is going to be built by next year and I heard its going to be ridiculously nice. Definitely seems like a country club program so your life will be pretty damn kush.

Cons: Unlike Modesto which started the same time as Ventura, this place really couldn’t give me a good explanation on where it’s headed. They couldn’t even paint a clear picture when I asked how next year is going to be run with two classes. I’ve had many classmates that have rotated in that hospital for their entire 3rd year and they told me that they are pretty surprised an ortho program is being started here because the lack of cases. Even residents from Cottage Hospital (ACGME Santa Barbara) are shocked about it too. All the cases at the base hospital are the bread and butter Sports and Joints cases. No trauma because all of the good trauma is sent over to county. Even though the county hospital is down the street, its known that their admin does not like DOs whatsoever (their faculty even told us that). There is talk that one of the orthopods wants to have these residents work with her but there is so much politics to take care. In addition to that, they have an affiliation with UCLA so not sure if this hospital needs the extra help. Again, my critique on this program is based solely on my interview and from what my friends/classmates have told me. I really wanted to like this program because location is a big priority for me but after the interview, I walked away very unimpressed. It could very well be an awesome program but it was hard for me to envision it.

Botsford General

Most of the programs I rotated at have already been reviewed, with the exception of Botsford. All I heard from people when I was setting up rotations was that they “heard Botsford is a great program”, so I wanted to give an actual first-hand review since I couldn’t find one. This is post rank list due date, and obviously prior to the match, so hopefully this will be seen as an objective and informative review. Good luck to all in the match.

Pros: Level 2 trauma center that gets a decent amount of ortho, but mostly spine. Lots of spine trauma, and spine in general, which I guess is good if you like spine. Good didactics, daily in the am and most residents seem to be well read and knowledgeable (no specific OITE review however). Somewhat of a lifestyle program and very family friendly. Only program I know of that gives post-call days, which the residents love. The residents are probably the best aspect of the program. Good group that gets along well and hang out a lot outside of work (some are pretty cocky though). Decent places to live close by (Royal Oak, Ferndale, etc). Not board heavy (have at least one resident with a 480 ish step 1).

Cons: All of the 5 main attendings are older (55+), have somewhat “special” personalities and appear to be a challenge to work with. Four of them used to be in practice together, but recently split 2 and 2 and there is a ton of tension and animosity between the two different groups. Dr Fritz especially is very particular and very hard on the residents (in ways that seem unnecessary). Dr Lindard, the PD, has been there forever. He regularly cusses out pts/residents/staff as his way of joking around, but it was over the top. Saw him throw stuff across the OR bc he was pissed, and it didn’t seem like that was a rare occurrence. Poor OR autonomy and no dedicated OR time for residents until third year. First two years are spent on floor or in the office. Only time you see the OR first two years is if you’re lucky enough to be on call and cases come in (and don’t get stolen by seniors). Felt like seniors skills were sub-par compared to other programs I rotated at. Additionally, attendings are very handsy and don’t let the residents do much. Never saw a senior do a skin-to-skin case. As a junior you are nearly always paired with a senior – lots of double scrubbing. No big or complex cases done here (ie revisions, multi-lig knees, total shoulders, etc.). The program took a big hit when Dr Colen (trauma guy) died unexpectedly in summer 2012. Sounded like nearly 1/3 of the residents came to the program simply because of him. New trauma doc is not nearly as involved, but seems good. Heard that intern year here is brutal.

Residents will tell you this is “the best ortho program in MI”. There is a very pompous attitude at Botsford overall (from all programs, not just ortho). They supposedly used to call it “Botsford University”, and while I don’t doubt that there is good training and it probably used to be a top DO spot, it doesn’t seem like they have made many improvements or changes in the last 10+yrs. They believe they are on par with Beaumont, HF, etc, but that is just not true. Would be concerned about where the program is headed in the next 5+ years as many of the attendings, if not all, will be slowing down and retiring soon, and they haven’t added anyone new. (they actually did hire a new joints guy a few years back, but he was treated so poorly by the other attendings that he left). In hindsight, would not rotate here again and would recommend looking elsewhere for your ortho residency.

I'm cross posting from SDN two of my reviews. I don't have much advice, as most of it has been said. If you want a high chance of getting a spot, I would try to get 600+ on level 1, know your handbook of fractures and netters ortho cold, be a nice, and rotate at as many places as you can. After interview season, I was lucky enough to have choices and was able to match at my top choice.

Pinnacle Health - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
"We are number 1"

General/attendings: This is a top tier ortho residency. This is an elective heavy community program located in the capital of pennsylvania. You will be surprised how high volume their community hospital cases are where they can have 3-5 attendings operating a day with the last case ending anywhere from 4pm-9pm. Joints here are their biggest strength, which also includes tons of joint revisions where you don't see everywhere. Many of their attendings are general surgeons, however they all are very experienced doing case variety. If you're scheduled with Dr. Deluca, your cases can range from an ACDF, rotator cuff tear, joint replacement, 2 body fusion, to a hip arthroscopy all in one day. You will come out a great community surgeon with the variety you see from their core staff. They now will cover 3 Pinnacle Health hospitals, and the ortho floors at osteo and downtown are nice as hell too.

Residents: All residents here are very bright, hardworking, and want to be the best. It's a great friendly competitive atmosphere where they expect a lot from each other. As a med student, you'll notice the hierarchal atmosphere where the interns and juniors get pimped during morning rounds, but it's never malignant. They are all a great bunch of guys that are just all so well read in ortho. If you are lucky to be considered for a spot here, you will be working with all A game residents that want to be the best and expect the best.

Didactics: They had the best didactics on the ortho trail. They have some form of didactics everyday including OITE review, OKU, journals, fracture conference, pre-op conference, you name it. I came into this rotation having Netter's, Handbook of fracture, and chapters of millers memorized cold, and I still learned tons and just tons of ortho during the month. I would argue their interns know more textbook ortho than many 2's and 3's at other places.

Operative Experience: The residents are always in the OR similar to Oklahoma City and Fort Lauderdale's program. They typically cover 2 attendings a month so it's similar to a mentorship program except you get double the OR time. You will graduate logging in a ton of cases. These guys know how to operate.

Clinic: Resident run clinic so it's good.

Research: Not much research opportunity here. This program has its time emphasized on OR exposure and ortho didactics. Most of their residents are technically strong enough to purposely opt out of fellowship opportunities and go right into general ortho.

Location/Lifestyle: Harrisburg is a decent city to live in. It's somewhat close to Philadelphia and Baltimore. A little further out there's NYC and DC. They get pretty well compensated as residents too. Lifestyle wise, you will work very hard here. When you are finished with your work in the hospital, you're expected to stay on top of their rigorous didactic schedule.

Med Student Experience: This is the orthopedic program to rotate if you want to show your ortho knowledge. The ortho residents pimp the med students decently, which helps you because you learn, and it helps show them who knows their stuff. This was a great rotation where you function as a sub-intern; you do all the progress notes on your patients, pre-op, pre-write scripts, post op, and scrub into 5-8 cases a day. They give you controlled responsibility, which is getting more rare on the audition rotation these days. Know your netters and handbook of fractures, and you will shine.

Pros:
1. Operative Case Load
2. Didactics
3. Residents

Cons:
This is an all around strong community program, and I feel it's definitely the best orthopedic program on the East Coast. This program is a little bit weaker if you're looking for research and fellowship opportunities. They are also an elective heavy community program so they don't get as much trauma training as other places, which is not that big of a deal depending on your goals. I think they only get a few elective rotations as well since they have to cover their 3 hospitals. You will work hard here.